Evidence of Cortana found in the Windows 9 (Threshold) Technical Preview Build 9834 resource files

We’ve seen a number of Windows 9 (Threshold) leaks in the past few weeks, courtesy of a German website WinFuture, revealing a number of interesting features such as virtual desktops, notification center, Start menu, and more. In the past few months, we’ve heard rumors that Microsoft may bring Cortana to its desktop operating system. 

Recently, the folks at WinFuture found several footprints of the personal assistant in the resource files of the Windows 9 Technical Preview Build 9834 as shown in the image above. They further mentioned it will offer a similar set of features and functionality as it does on Windows Phone. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work in the build at the moment — just like the redesigned Internet Explorer 12. 

There’s no word on how Microsoft plans to make it work, but the folks at Neowin, who claimed they’ve seen the feature, said it will be an app. The app opens up Cortana in a new window where you can either ask the question by text or speech. Unlike Windows Phone, the app doesn’t run in the entire window, but only a part of it, with a similar icon as Windows Phone.

Microsoft is expected to release a preview version of the operating system for developers on September 30th, and talk more about its features. As for the public launch, it’s pegged for Spring 2015.