# How to Turn off Cortana in Windows

**URL:** https://www.compsmag.com/blogs/how-to-turn-off-cortana-in-windows/
**Author:** Ayushi Chauhan
**Published:** 2022-11-05
**Updated:** 2022-11-05
**Categories:** Blogs
**Tags:** Blogs Daily, Computer Guides, guiderobert, Guides and Tutorials, guiding12, How To Guide, How To Guides, Originals How to, Software tips and tutorials, Tips, Tricks, Windows 10
**Reading Time:** 3 min

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Today, In this article we will show you how to **Turn off Cortana in Windows.** Microsoft’s in-built voice assistant Cortana has been available since 2014. But there’s a good possibility you’re starting to become a little tired of it. That’s not a problem, though, because Windows 10 has a straightforward mechanism for turning it off. And if you later change your mind, don’t worry; she’s simple to reactivate. Turning off Cortana is not something Microsoft wants. Previously, Cortana could be turned off in Windows, but Microsoft did away with that simple toggle switch in the Anniversary Update.

Nevertheless, Cortana may still be turned off via a registry hack or group policy setting. By doing this, you may use the Cortana box as a “Search Windows” tool to look up local programmes and files. Since the debut of Windows 10, Cortana has gotten more and more limiting. It was changed before to disregard your preferred web browser. Now, when you ask Cortana to start a browser, it always opens Microsoft Edge and only ever utilizes Bing. We mentioned below are the steps to disable Cortana in Windows.

## Steps to disable Cortana in Windows

### Disable Cortana Temporarily

In the taskbar, select the **Cortana** icon (small circle) to open it.

In the upper-left corner of the Cortana app, select the **three vertical dots**.

Select **Settings**.

Select **Keyboard shortcut**.

Turn off **Keyboard shortcut**. You’ll need to restart your PC to apply the changes.

After rebooting, repeat steps 1-3. Select **Voice activation**.

Select **Voice activation permissions**.

Turn off **Let Cortana respond to “Cortana” keyword**.

### Disable Cortana Permanently Using the Windows Registry

Right-click the **Windows** icon and select **Run **to open the command prompt.

Type **regedit **and press **Enter**.

Navigate to **HKEY_Local_Machine **>** SOFTWARE **>** Policies **>** Microsoft **>** Windows**, then right-click the **Windows** directory and select **New** > **Key**.

Name the new folder **Windows Search**.

Right-click the **Windows Search **folder and select **New** > **DWORD (32-bit) Value**.

Name the new file **AllowCortana**.

Double-click the **AllowCortana **file to open it, set the value to **0**, then select **OK**.

Close the**Registry Editor and restart** your computer.

### Disable Cortana Permanently in Group Policy Editor

Press **Windows**+**R** to open the command prompt, type **gpedit.msc **into the command line, and then press **Enter**.

Navigate to **Computer Configuration** > **Administrative Templates** > **Windows Components** > **Search**, then double-click **Allow Cortana** in the right pane.

Select **Disabled**, then select **OK**.

Close the **Group Policy Editor and restart** your computer.

## Final Words

We hope you like our article on how to disable Cortana in Windows. Every significant update to Windows has increased the importance of Cortana, Microsoft’s digital personal assistant. In addition to searching your computer, it can send emails, create reminders, display notifications, and perform other voice-activated tasks. However, some people can find it invasive and choose to disable the aid.

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