How to fix Cortana

Robert Neagoe
by Robert Neagoe
Content Analyst
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Cortana Intelligent Digital Assistant

Cortana is a virtual assistant created by Microsoft for Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows Phone 8.1, Invoke smart speaker, Microsoft Band, Xbox One, iOS, Android, Windows Mixed Reality.

Cortana can set reminders, recognize natural voice without the requirement for keyboard input, and answer questions using information from the Bing search engine. Cortana Show Me app can help you navigate through Windows 10 Settings.

Fix Cortana related issues on Windows 10

What can Cortana do/can not do?

How to use Cortana

Enable or Disable Cortana: privacy concerns

Many of us have been asking if Cortana is safe and if Cortana is always listening. By default, Cortana is not always listening but there are some privacy concerns regarding data collection. Users have tried to completely disable Cortana but found out they have to disable Windows Search and use a third-party service instead. Find out more about the privacy concerns in the following articles:

To enable Hey Cortana, select the search box on the taskbar and open Cortana. Then select Settings and turn on Let Cortana respond to “Hey Cortana.” Note that this can make your battery drain faster as Cortana is always listening ready to answer that keyphrase.

To disable Cortana completely is not so easy anymore since Windows 10 Anniversary Update blocked disabling of Cortana. Try the usual procedures to turn off Cortana and the advanced procedures to disable Cortana completely. Also, check out How to block Cortana’s web searches in Windows 10.

Tip: turning off Cortana does not delete user data stored on Microsoft’s servers. To manage or clear data that’s saved by Microsoft in the cloud follow these steps:

  • From your Windows 10 device, open the search box on the taskbar and type Cortana.
  • Go to Cortana’s Settings, then select Permissions & History.
    Manage what Cortana knows about you
  • Select Manage the information Cortana can access from other services.
  • Select your Connected Service and select Disconnect.

Customizing the last two steps, you can clear Location History, Browsing History, data in your calendar, email, contacts, and text messages. Find out How to Disable Web Search Results in Start Menu on Windows 10.

Cortana vs Siri and other virtual assistant software alternatives

Check out the news on Cortana services