Microsoft’s digital assistant is called Cortana. Initially developed for the Windows Phone 8.1 and originally released in 2014, Cortana is now a feature of various Windows devices and operating systems (OSes), such as Windows 10 and 11.
What follows practical tasks are within Cortana’s tools:
- alert users to upcoming meetings;
- answer user questions;
- search the user’s PC and the web;
- set reminders;
- show users the weather; and
- open applications.
The Microsoft Bing web search engine is used by the voice-and text-enabled virtual assistant to carry out duties including responding to inquiries. For usage with Windows OSes 2004 and later, as well as the Microsoft Edge browser, Cortana is integrated throughout the Microsoft 365 product suite.
When Windows 10 was first released, Cortana was a significant innovation, but it has since lost its significance. Later, Microsoft started to lessen Cortana’s usage in Windows systems; with Windows 11, it was no longer activated by default and was no longer utilized during device setup. The Cortana smartphone app was completely discontinued in March 2021. Microsoft has added and withdrawn functions throughout time.
Microsoft’s famous Halo game series is where the name Cortana originates. The franchise, which was first created by Bungie and then by 343 Industries, centers on a 26th-century artificial intelligence (AI) character of the same name. Jen Taylor, the voice actress for Cortana, also provides the voice of the Cortana voice assistant for Windows in the United States.
How does Cortana work?
Similar to Siri, Apple’s personal assistant, Cortana can respond to natural language and carry out a number of organizational functions for users, such as translating currencies and measurements, organizing calendar events, generating reminders, and solving math problems.
For Cortana to work, users need to turn on their GPS tracker and permit the speech, inking, and typing functions. Users can also decide what information Cortana can access.
To activate Cortana, a user may click the Cortana button next to the search bar on Windows 10, hit the Windows key plus C, or say “Hey, Cortana” if voice settings are enabled. The user can then type their query or request into the Cortana window that opens in Windows.
Command prompts a user can enter include the following:
- “What is the weather?”
- “Open [website name]”
- “Set an alarm for [time]”
- “When is my next meeting?”
- “Open Outlook”
Cortana’s features
Over time, Cortana has lost additional functions due to Microsoft’s diminishing support for it. The following functionalities are still present in Cortana, though:
- Use of natural language. As opposed to having to use specific words, users can make requests in plain English.
- Multitasking. On Windows 10 desktops, Cortana can open programs, find files and read or send email messages. Users can, for example, type a request to Cortana or turn on the microphone and speak to the program.
- Integration with Microsoft Edge. In Edge, users can highlight a word or phrase and Cortana displays more information on the topic.
- Reminders. Connected to Office 365, Outlook.com or Gmail, users can create and suggest reminders.
- Calendars. Working with Outlook, users can manage their calendar and make appointments or block off time for meetings.
- Accessibility features. These include settings to read overviews of new emails, read high-priority emails or find the best times for meetings.
As for features that were removed, Cortana can no longer be requested to play music, control video streaming services, create location-based reminders or control smart home devices.
This image shows Cortana’s basic features
How to disable Cortana
If users do not want to use Cortana, they can turn the program off. To turn Cortana off in Windows 10, open Settings, then select Privacy and Microphone. Then de-select Cortana’s access to the device’s microphone. App permissions can also be turned off in the settings.
In Windows 11, Cortana is disabled by default, but if the user, to disable again, the user can perform the following steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Type Cortana in the app list search box.
- Select the three dots next to the Cortana option and Advanced options.
- Disable the Cortana toggle for Runs at log-in.
Doing this means Cortana will not start automatically when the user logs into a Windows 11 PC.
Because Cortana’s memory is non-volatile, user preferences the program gathers are available if and when the user decides to turn Cortana back on. To reenable Cortana, go through the same steps and just toggle the Runs at log-in option.
Cortana competitors
Among Cortana’s challengers are Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. For Android smartphones, Google Assistant is Google’s AI speech assistant. Using voice recognition and artificial intelligence, Siri is Apple’s personal assistant for iOS, macOS, and watchOS devices. Alexa makes it possible for an Amazon Echo device to listen for user orders and carry out a variety of tasks, including as playing music, responding to inquiries, making and amending to-do lists, and setting an alarm or timer.
Many of the tasks these virtual assistants can perform are quite similar; for example, they can:
- receive news updates;
- check current traffic conditions;
- view current weather conditions;
- set reminders and alarms;
- find information about local attractions;
- answer questions via the voice assistant’s connected internet browser; and
- integrate with platform-specific apps or devices.
You may also personalize Alexa commands. More adaptable customized voice commands, or skills, may allow users to engage with Alexa in new ways. Users might, for instance, program a skill to order a product from a particular merchant, convert Echo smart speakers into security devices, donate money, and enable many languages for users in a single home.
Microsoft Cortana’s Future
Prior to Microsoft gradually discontinuing support for the Halo-inspired voice assistant, Cortana was a direct rival to other voice assistants. The CEO of Microsoft said in 2019 that the business no longer views Cortana as a direct rival to Siri or Alexa. Following this, as Cortana gradually lost more features, the firm started modifying it from an assistant for other program integrations. The Cortana mobile app was taken off the market in January 2020 in countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Mexico, and Germany. Cortana was taken off the Xbox Dashboard in July of the same year. The app was taken down from the iOS and Android app stores at the beginning of 2021. Cortana gradually lost abilities like playing music and controlling other
Since Windows 11 was released, Cortana has been turned off by default. Additionally, it is not pinned to the taskbar and is no longer utilized during device setup. Even though Cortana is still compatible with Windows devices and may be enabled, it may eventually lose support due to its ongoing functionality loss and lack of support in the latest version of Windows OS.
