Cortana, as we all know, is Microsoft’s virtual assistant that is available on Windows 10. It was first introduced in 2014, and since then, it has become an essential part of the Windows operating system. Cortana helps users to simplify their everyday tasks, such as setting reminders, making appointments, and managing their calendar.
However, just like any other software application, Cortana can sometimes become annoying, especially when it starts popping up unwanted notifications or consuming too much of your CPU. Hence, in this article, we will show you how to turn off Cortana on Windows 10.
Before we begin, it is important to note that turning off Cortana will disable all the features associated with it. Thus, if you rely on Cortana to manage your calendar, set reminders, or perform other tasks, turning it off may not be the best option for you. In that case, you may want to consider tweaking its settings instead of disabling it entirely.
With that said, let’s dive in and see how to turn off Cortana on Windows 10.
How to Turn off Cortana on Windows 10
There are two main ways to disable Cortana on Windows 10: using the Group Policy Editor or the Registry Editor. The Group Policy Editor is only available on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, while the Registry Editor is available on all versions of Windows 10.
Method 1: Using Group Policy Editor
Step 1: Press the Windows key and R simultaneously to launch the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Type “gpedit.msc” (without quotes) and press Enter.
Step 3: Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search.
Step 4: Double-click on “Allow Cortana.”
Step 5: Select “Disabled” and click “Apply,” then “OK.”
Step 6: Restart your computer.
Method 2: Using Registry Editor
Step 1: Press the Windows key and R simultaneously to launch the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Type “regedit” (without quotes) and press Enter.
Step 3: Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Policies > Microsoft > Windows.
Step 4: Right-click on the Windows folder, select New > Key, and name it “Search.”
Step 5: Right-click on the Search folder, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it “AllowCortana.”
Step 6: Double-click on “AllowCortana” and set its value to “0.”
Step 7: Restart your computer.
FAQ
Q1. Will Turning off Cortana Affect My Windows 10 Experience?
A1. Turning off Cortana will disable all its features, such as voice search, reminders, and calendar management. If you rely on Cortana to perform these tasks, turning it off may negatively affect your Windows 10 experience. However, if you do not use Cortana or find it annoying, turning it off will not have any significant impact on your Windows 10 experience.
Q2. How Do I Enable Cortana After Disabling it?
A2. To enable Cortana after disabling it, follow the same steps mentioned above, but select “Enabled” or set the “AllowCortana” value to “1” (depending on the method used). Then, restart your computer, and Cortana will be enabled again.
Include Video
In addition to the written steps, we have also included a video tutorial on how to turn off Cortana on Windows 10.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtcQLMD2bpE
Conclusion
Cortana is a useful tool that can simplify everyday tasks on Windows 10. However, it can become annoying at times, and turning it off may be the best solution. In this article, we have shown you two methods for turning off Cortana, using the Group Policy Editor and the Registry Editor. Additionally, we have provided a couple of FAQ, and a video tutorial. We hope this article has been helpful in showing you how to turn off Cortana on Windows 10.
