How to Enable or Disable Cortana in Windows 10
Cortana is your cloud-based personal assistant that works across your devices and other Microsoft services. Depending on the capabilities of your device and the version of Cortana youre usingCortana can provide a range of featuressome of which are personalized. Cortana on Windows is available in certain regions and languages. If Cortana isnt available for your Windows deviceyou can still search for files on your device in the search box on the taskbar. Cortana is also available on other platformssuch as Android and iOSin select markets.
Cortana works best when you sign in and let her use data from your deviceother Microsoft servicesand third-party services you choose to connect. To provide you with personalized experiencesCortana learns from certain data about yousuch as your searchescalendarcontactsand location. Youre in control of how much data you share. If you choose not to sign into Cortana on Windowsyou can still chat with Cortana and use her to help you search the webdocuments stored in Microsoft services like OneDriveand your Windows device. See the section about Windows Search in the Privacy Statement for more information. If you dont sign inor you choose to sign outyour experiences will be more limited and they wont be personalized with your Cortana data. On iOS and Android devicesCortana only works when you sign in.
For more information about Cortanasee:
- What is Cortana - Microsoft Windows
- CortanaSearchand privacy: FAQ - Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Privacy Statement - Microsoft privacy
- Cortana's regions and languages
This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable Cortana for all users in Windows 10.
You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable Cortana.
Contents
- Option One: To Enable or Disable Cortana using Group Policy
- Option Two: To Enable or Disable Cortana using a REG file
EXAMPLE: Cortana disabled
OPTION ONETo Enable or Disable Cortana using Group Policy
The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 ProEnterpriseand Education editions.
All editions can use Option Two below.
1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor.
2 In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editornavigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/Search
3 In the right pane of Search in Local Group Policy Editordouble click/tap on the Allow Cortana policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you would like to do.
5 To Enable Cortana
A) Select (dot) Not Configured or Enabledclick/tap on OKand go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
Not Configured is the default setting.
6 To Disable Cortana
7 When finishedclose the Local Group Policy Editor.
8 Either restart explorersign out and sign inor restart the computer to apply.
OPTION TWOTo Enable or Disable Cortana using a REG file
The downloadable .reg files below will add and change the DWORD value in the registry key below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search
AllowCortana DWORD
0 = Disable
1 or delete = Enable
1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.
2 To Enable Cortana
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file belowand go to step 4 below.
Enable_Cortana.reg
Download
3 To Disable Cortana
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file belowand go to step 4 below.
Disable_Cortana.reg
Download
4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6 When promptedclick/tap on RunYes (UAC)Yesand OK to approve the merge.
7 Either restart explorersign out and sign inor restart the computer to apply.
8 If you likeyou can now delete the downloaded .reg file.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Reinstall and Re-register Cortana in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Cortana to Automatically Run at Startup in Windows 10
- How to Sign in or Sign out of Cortana in Windows 10
- How to Turn On or Off Cortana in Microsoft Edge in Windows 10
- Turn On or Off Cortana Using Your Microsoft Edge Browsing History in Windows 10
- How to Clear Your Personal Data and Info from Cortana
- How to Turn On or Off Cortana Tips in Windows 10
- How to Turn On or Off Cortana Listening Mode Keyboard Shortcut in Windows 10
- How to Turn On or Off Cortana Location Permissions in Windows 10
- Turn On or Off Cortana ContactsEmailCalendarand Communication Permissions in Windows 10
- How to Change Cortana Language in Windows 10
- How to Turn On or Off Get Phone Notifications from Cortana in Windows 10
- How to Turn On or Off Cortana Suggested Reminders in Windows 10
- How to Connect Cortana to Gmail Account in Windows 10
- How to Hide or Show Cortana Button on Taskbar in Windows 10
- How to Install and Uninstall Cortana in Windows 10
Enable or Disable Cortana in Windows 10
-
New #1
What does it mean if I don't already have a Windows Search key under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows?
Will creating it do the trickor could this setting be hiding elsewhere?
Alsowhat is the difference between this tutorial and Cortana - Turn On or Off?
-
New #2
Hello Michael:)
This tutorial uses a group policy to disable Cortana. If you don't have the Search keythen it just means that you do not have the policy added and enabled. The options to disable Cortana in the tutorial adds the policy to the registry for you.
Disabling Cortana will disable the ability of all users to be able to turn on or off Cortana in their account.Computer Type: PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model Number: Custom self built
OS: 64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU: Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory: 64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
Graphics Card: ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card: Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
Monitor(s) Displays: 2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
Screen Resolution: 2560x1440
Keyboard: Logitech wireless K800
Mouse: Logitech MX Master 4
PSU: Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case: Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
Cooling: Corsair Hydro H115i
Hard Drives: 1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2, 4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2, TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
Internet Speed: 2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
Browser: Google Chrome
Antivirus: Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Other Info: Logitech Z625 speaker system, Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam, HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn, CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD, Galaxy S23 Plus phone
View my PC Album
Computer Type: Laptop
System Manufacturer/Model Number: HP Spectre x360 2in1
OS: 64-bit Windows 10 Pro build 21390
CPU: i7-1065G7 3.9 GHz
Memory: 16 GB LPDDR4-3200
Graphics Card: Intel Iris Plus
Sound Card: Intel SST
Monitor(s) Displays: 13.3" 4K UWVA AMOLED multitouch
Screen Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Hard Drives: 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Browser: Google Chrome
Antivirus: Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
-
New #3
AhI see. I went for this option because it could be achieved through the registry. I don't suppose you know of a way to only turn it off via the registry (rather than disable it entirely)? I suppose I should be asking this in the other thread...
-
New #4
I'm not sure for a .reg file option yet for just turning off Cortana.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4...dows-10-a.html
Howeverdisabling Cortana would also turn off Cortanabut for all users.Computer Type: PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model Number: Custom self built
OS: 64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU: Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory: 64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
Graphics Card: ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card: Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
Monitor(s) Displays: 2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
Screen Resolution: 2560x1440
Keyboard: Logitech wireless K800
Mouse: Logitech MX Master 4
PSU: Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case: Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
Cooling: Corsair Hydro H115i
Hard Drives: 1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2, 4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2, TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
Internet Speed: 2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
Browser: Google Chrome
Antivirus: Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Other Info: Logitech Z625 speaker system, Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam, HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn, CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD, Galaxy S23 Plus phone
View my PC Album
Computer Type: Laptop
System Manufacturer/Model Number: HP Spectre x360 2in1
OS: 64-bit Windows 10 Pro build 21390
CPU: i7-1065G7 3.9 GHz
Memory: 16 GB LPDDR4-3200
Graphics Card: Intel Iris Plus
Sound Card: Intel SST
Monitor(s) Displays: 13.3" 4K UWVA AMOLED multitouch
Screen Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Hard Drives: 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Browser: Google Chrome
Antivirus: Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
-
New #5
I get a notice that Cortana is disabled by company policy. I am running win10 64 home. I opend regedit and when to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search. My reg does not have AllowCortana DWORD.
Since this is home edition there is no Group policy either. Is there another way?
Computer Type: PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model Number: HP
OS: Windows 10
CPU: Intel i7-4770 @ 3.4GHz
Memory: 16 GB
Monitor(s) Displays: dual dell monitors
-
New #6
Hello tropicallime:)
Check to see if you may have the DWORD in the registry key below instead.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows SearchComputer Type: PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model Number: Custom self built
OS: 64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU: Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory: 64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
Graphics Card: ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card: Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
Monitor(s) Displays: 2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
Screen Resolution: 2560x1440
Keyboard: Logitech wireless K800
Mouse: Logitech MX Master 4
PSU: Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case: Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
Cooling: Corsair Hydro H115i
Hard Drives: 1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2, 4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2, TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
Internet Speed: 2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
Browser: Google Chrome
Antivirus: Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Other Info: Logitech Z625 speaker system, Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam, HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn, CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD, Galaxy S23 Plus phone
View my PC Album
Computer Type: Laptop
System Manufacturer/Model Number: HP Spectre x360 2in1
OS: 64-bit Windows 10 Pro build 21390
CPU: i7-1065G7 3.9 GHz
Memory: 16 GB LPDDR4-3200
Graphics Card: Intel Iris Plus
Sound Card: Intel SST
Monitor(s) Displays: 13.3" 4K UWVA AMOLED multitouch
Screen Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Hard Drives: 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Browser: Google Chrome
Antivirus: Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
-
New #7
Brink,
Thanks for help. I have two PC one with Pro the other is home edition. The Pro PC works fine. I could not find the DWORD at this location on either PC.
-> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search
Computer Type: PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model Number: HP
OS: Windows 10
CPU: Intel i7-4770 @ 3.4GHz
Memory: 16 GB
Monitor(s) Displays: dual dell monitors
-
New #8
Hi Brink,
I am running Win 10x64 Pro. I used your reg file to disable Cortana but I still see it resident as a process with reserved memory;
I also see it listed here and it showed a minimum amount of usage after I executed your reg filedeleted usage historyand rebooted:
Are those expected results after disabling Cortana via your reg file?
Thanks,
aardvarkComputer Type: PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model Number: Home Built (Desktop)Lenovo B575 (Laptop)
OS: Pro x64 Desktop v1607 14393.51Home x64 Laptop v1607 14393.51
CPU: Intel G2020
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
Memory: Generic 8 GBs (1333 MHz)
Graphics Card: HD Radeon 7750 Ultimate (no fans)
Sound Card: Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays: Gateway 27"
Screen Resolution: 1920x1080
Keyboard: Generic
Mouse: Microsoft Wireless 4000
PSU: Generic 450w
Case: Generic
Cooling: 3 Tri-Cool (virtually silent) Fans
Hard Drives: 840 EVO SSD (120 GBs internal), 840 EVO SSD (120 GBs external via USB3)
Internet Speed: 150/10 (paid)180/12 (benchmarked)
Browser: Firefox
Antivirus: Avast Free 2016
-
-
New #9
Hello aardvark:)
Yepthat's normal. That Cortana process is actually for Search instead of Cortana the assistant.Computer Type: PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model Number: Custom self built
OS: 64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU: Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory: 64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
Graphics Card: ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card: Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
Monitor(s) Displays: 2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
Screen Resolution: 2560x1440
Keyboard: Logitech wireless K800
Mouse: Logitech MX Master 4
PSU: Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case: Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
Cooling: Corsair Hydro H115i
Hard Drives: 1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2, 4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2, TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
Internet Speed: 2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
Browser: Google Chrome
Antivirus: Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Other Info: Logitech Z625 speaker system, Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam, HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn, CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD, Galaxy S23 Plus phone
View my PC Album
Computer Type: Laptop
System Manufacturer/Model Number: HP Spectre x360 2in1
OS: 64-bit Windows 10 Pro build 21390
CPU: i7-1065G7 3.9 GHz
Memory: 16 GB LPDDR4-3200
Graphics Card: Intel Iris Plus
Sound Card: Intel SST
Monitor(s) Displays: 13.3" 4K UWVA AMOLED multitouch
Screen Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Hard Drives: 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Browser: Google Chrome
Antivirus: Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Enable or Disable Cortana in Windows 10
How to Enable or Disable Cortana in Windows 10Published by Shawn BrinkCategory: Apps & Features
02 Nov 2020
Designer Media Ltd
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Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized sponsoredor otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 20:20.
