How to Reassign the Copilot Key to Launch Gemini


It's 1994 all over again, but instead of the Windows key, Microsoft is pushing the Copilot key onto our keyboards, regardless of our AI preferences. While Microsoft believes Copilot enhances Windows PCs with features like "Recall", many, myself included, prefer a cleaner OS experience, rendering the Copilot button unnecessary.

Microsoft's limited customization options for the button is a frustration, further hindered for those who disable Copilot. Thankfully, reassigning the button is a simple workaround. I'll demonstrate how to reassign it to Google Gemini using AutoHotkey or MS PowerToys.

    1. Install the Gemini app

    • Navigate to gemini.google.com in a Chrome-based browser
    • Click the three vertical dots (kebab menu) and select Cast, save, and share.
    • Choose Install page as app... and click Install in the popup that appears.

    2. Find the app target (app ID)

    • Search for "Gemini" in the Windows Start menu.
    • Right-click the Gemini shortcut and select Open file location. This opens Explorer in 
      C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Chrome Apps 



    • Right-click the Gemini shortcut and select Properties.
    • Copy the entire text in the Target field. (eg. "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome_proxy.exe"  --profile-directory=Default --app-id=gdfaincndogidkdcdkhapmbffkckdkhn)

    3. Install AutoHotkey

    Visit autohotkey.com and follow the installation instructions or use the command line winget install  Autohotkey.Autohotkey

    4. Create the AutoHotkey script in the Startup folder

    • Press Win+R to open the Run window then type shell:startup and press Ener. This opens the startup folder in Explorer.
    • Right click in Explorer and select New > AutoHotkey script
      - Select a text editor, if prompted.
    • Paste the following into the script, replacing the command with the Target text copied earlier, ensuring the entire command is enclosed in quotes:

      +#f23:: Run "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome_proxy.exe  --profile-directory=Default --app-id=gdfaincndogidkdcdkhapmbffkckdkhn"

      Note: The target command includes a quote " after chrome_proxy.exe but AHK expects the entire command to be quoted.

    5. Save and run

    Save the file and run it, or reboot your PC. Your Copilot button should now launch Google Gemini.

    Alternative method using MS PowerToys

    I use AutoHotkey for other customizations, so it made sense to use it for the Copilot key reassignment. Scripts can also be easily backed up and restored if I ever need to format or move to a new PC.

    Another option is to use MS PowerToys, for those who prefer a GUI approach using 1st party software. 

    1. Follow steps 1 & 2 above

    • Install the Gemini app and find the Target field string using steps 1 and 2 above.

    2. Install PowerToys

    3. Configure keyboard shortcut

    • Open PowerToys, click on Input / Output then Keyboard Manager
    • Click Remap a shortcut (not Remap a key)


    • Click the Shortcut edit button with a pencil icon the press the copilot key
    • Under "Action:" select Run Program
    • In the "App:" field, enter the taret path, excluding the argument flags
      C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome_proxy.exe
    • In the "Args:" field, enter the argument flags
      --app-id=gdfaincndogidkdcdkhapmbffkckdkhn


    • Click OK to save


    Comments

    Post a Comment

    Popular posts from this blog

    Raspberry Pi-based Home Assistant Control Panel

    Image
    This is my take on a Home Assistant control panel platform. It's based on this guide to creating a Raspberry Pi minimal browser kiosk but with wake-on-motion and some tweaks to improve the experience. Background info, why I chose this over the other options, and plans for future expansion are at the bottom, for anyone interested. My plan is to install one in each room with room-specific widgets. Hardware RaspberryPi 3 B 8GB or larger high quality microSD Official  Rpi 7" touchscreen Official  Rpi camera v2 Smartipi touch2  case with camera mount USB keyboard for initial HA login Assemble the parts according to the included instructions but keep the microSD out for now for imaging. Raspbian lite setup Image Raspbian Lite to the SD using the imaging tool or other method. Create an empty file on the SD boot directory named ssh to enable SSH on boot. Create a file in the SD boot directory named wpa_supplicant.conf with the following content, replacing the variables with ...
    Read more

    KingNovyPC M6 N100 Alder Lake-N Slim Mini PC Review

    Image
    I recently purchased a KingNovyPC M6 N100 mini PC from  Aliexpress  to replace a laptop I carry between home and work. I chose the 16GB model with no storage for 27,651 JPY (~$183 US). I think this is a good deal even given the drawbacks below. Let me start with the bad first. Poor thermals The cooling is woefully inadequate for the N100 CPU. The CPU temperature frequently exceeded 90°C under moderately intensive activities, such as installing several Windows updates in parallel. The thermal throttling and lag became noticeable during these times. The fan speed shows "n/a" because there is no yellow fan sensor wire. Replacing the heatsink compound with high-quality silver paste* had negligible impact but removing the top cover dropped temps by ~10°C. That's still high but out of the danger zone. I can think of many ways KingNovy (or the ODM) could have improved this thermal design, such as using a metal case to increase dissipation, but that would have added to the weight...
    Read more

    Railway Museum (鉄道博物館, Tetsudō Hakubutsukan)

    Image
    If you're like me, you may have an image of trains being a legacy of the industrial revolution chugging freight across country but that utilitarian image is naive or at least incomplete.  Modern train and subway technology rivals aeronautics and the history of these marvels of engineering is almost romantic. The Railway Museum (鉄道博物館, Tetsudō Hakubutsukan)  has done an incredible job of showcasing the progress from the first steam locomotives in the late Edo period to the recent E6 shinkansen since it's opening in 2007. The museum is located in Omiya, Saitama the city North of Tokyo about an hour away from central Tokyo. From Omiya station there's a "new shuttle" line which takes you directly to the Museum station. British-built locomotive #1 from 1871. I wonder how hard it must have been to save all these trains from being turned into ships and planes for the war. In front of most exhibits are explanations in Japanese b...
    Read more