Microsoft is reportedly considering the reintroduction of the Win + C shortcut in Windows 11, according to recent reports. This keyboard combination has historically played various roles across different versions of Windows but currently lacks functionality. In Windows 10, for instance, Win + C was used to invoke the Cortana assistant, while in Windows 8, it activated the Charms Bar. However, in 2023, Microsoft disabled this shortcut following the retirement of Cortana.
Initially, there were plans for Win + C to be used for activating the Copilot virtual assistant. However, in 2024, this functionality was removed when Microsoft shifted to an app-like Copilot experience. As it stands, users can access Copilot by pressing Alt + Space or by using the dedicated Copilot key on their keyboards to initiate a voice conversation.
Recently, a user identified as @phantomofearth discovered a code snippet in the latest Windows 11 build that hints at the potential return of the Win + C shortcut. Despite this finding, there is no official confirmation from Microsoft regarding any plans to replace the Alt + Space shortcut with Win + C.
Given that applications like ChatGPT utilize similar shortcuts, it appears that Microsoft may be interested in establishing a distinct shortcut for its virtual assistant. Furthermore, Microsoft currently allows users to customize the Copilot key to launch other applications, and it is possible that they will extend this feature to all Windows 11 users through the Win + C shortcut.