Cortana is a virtual assistant developed by Microsoft, integrated into Windows 10 and Windows 11, designed to help users perform tasks, set reminders, and provide information using voice commands or text input. This article will guide you through using and managing Cortana on your Windows PC, including enabling/disabling it and customizing its settings.

Getting Started with Cortana

Enabling Cortana

1. Windows 10:

   • Click on the Start menu and select the "Cortana" icon (a circle).
   • If prompted, sign in with your Microsoft account to enable Cortana.

2. Windows 11:

   • Cortana is not enabled by default. To enable it, search for "Cortana" in the Start menu, and click on the Cortana app.
   • Sign in with your Microsoft account if required.

Using Cortana

• Voice Commands: Click on the Cortana icon and say "Hey Cortana" followed by your command. For example, "Hey Cortana, set a reminder for 3 PM."
• Text Commands: Type your query directly into the Cortana search bar.

Customizing Cortana Settings

1. Accessing Settings:

   • Open Cortana and click on the three-dot menu or "Settings" icon.
   • Here, you can customize various settings like enabling/disabling voice activation, managing permissions, and configuring notifications.

2. Managing Permissions:

   • Go to Cortana settings and select "Permissions."
   • You can control what information Cortana can access, such as location, contacts, and browsing history.

Disabling Cortana

If you prefer not to use Cortana, you can disable it:

1. Windows 10:

   • Open Cortana settings.
   • Toggle off the options for voice activation and other permissions.
   • Alternatively, you can disable Cortana via Group Policy Editor (for Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise):
     • Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
     • Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search.
     • Double-click on "Allow Cortana" and set it to "Disabled."

2. Windows 11:

   • Cortana can be uninstalled via the Settings app:
     • Open Settings, go to "Apps," and select "Apps & features."
     • Find Cortana in the list, click on it, and select "Uninstall."

Examples

Example 1: Setting a Reminder

• Voice Command: "Hey Cortana, remind me to call John at 5 PM."
• Text Command: Type "Remind me to call John at 5 PM" in the Cortana search bar.

Example 2: Checking the Weather

• Voice Command: "Hey Cortana, what's the weather like today?"
• Text Command: Type "Weather today" in the Cortana search bar.