If you’d like to know how to disable Cortana in Windows 10, then we’ve got you covered right here.
Cortana is Microsoft’s built-in voice assistant that has been around since 2014. But there’s a decent chance you may be growing a little bit sick of it. Well, that’s no issue, as you can turn it off within Windows 10, and the process for doing so is simple. And don’t worry if you change your mind later, as she’s easy to reactivate too.
So, without further ado, here’s how to disable Cortana in Windows 10.
Hardware used
- Lenovo Legion 5
- Windows 10 Home
The Short Version
- Click the Cortana icon
- Open the Settings menu
- Disable the shortcut
- Reboot your PC
- Turn off ‘voice activation permissions’
Step
1Click the Cortana icon
Click the Cortana icon in the Windows taskbar to open it.
Step
2Open the Settings menu
Then, press the three vertical dots to open the Settings menu.
Step
3Disable the shortcut
Once inside the settings, press the ‘Keyboard shortcut’ option. Then, set the slider to ‘Off’. This will disable the keyboard shortcut used to enable Cortana (Windows + C).
Step
4Reboot your PC
You will need to reboot your PC in order for this particular change to take effect.
Step
5Turn off ‘voice activation permissions’
Now the keyboard shortcut has been disabled, you now need to turn off permissions for voice activations. To do so, go back into Cortana, reopen the settings and select ‘Voice activation’.
Once inside, press the shortcut to ‘Voice activation permissions’ – this will bring up the Voice activation section in the general Windows settings, where you need to set the slider of ‘Let Cortana respond to “Cortana” keyword’ to ‘Off’. Now the process should be completed.
FAQs
No, Cortana is completely optional.
Yes, Cortana is essentially the Microsoft Windows version of Siri.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
