Cortana in Windows 10/11

Posted by stock on May 4th, 2023

Welcome to Tech Help Guide, your go-to source for all things tech-related. If you're a Windows 10/11 user, you may have encountered Cortana, the digital assistant that comes built-in with the operating system. While some users find Cortana helpful, others may prefer to disable or hide it for privacy or productivity reasons.

In this article, we'll provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to hide Cortana in Windows 10/11. We'll cover several methods, from disabling the "Hey Cortana" feature to using third-party software to hide it completely. With our step-by-step instructions, you'll be able to customize your Windows experience to your liking and enjoy a more streamlined workflow. So let's get started and learn how to hide Cortana in Windows 10/11!

How to disable Cortana's voice assistant feature

If you don't want Cortana to respond to voice commands, follow these steps:

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1. Click on the search bar in the taskbar to open Cortana.

2. Click on the three dots icon in the top right corner of the Cortana window.

3. Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.

4. Scroll down to the "Cortana" section and toggle off the "Let Cortana respond to "Hey Cortana"" option.

5. Cortana will no longer respond to voice commands.

How to turn off Cortana's "Hey Cortana" feature

If you'd like to turn off Cortana's "Hey Cortana" feature entirely, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.

2. Click on "Cortana."

3. Toggle off the "Hey Cortana" option.

4. Cortana will no longer respond to voice commands.

How to disable Cortana in the registry

If you're comfortable editing the Windows registry, you can disable Cortana by following these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type "regedit" in the Run box and press Enter.

3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search.

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

5. Name the new value "AllowCortana" and set the value data to "0."

6. Close the Registry Editor.

Once you've completed these steps, Cortana will be disabled on your computer.

How to hide Cortana using third-party software

If you're not comfortable editing the Windows registry, you can use third-party software to hide Cortana. Here are a few options:

• O&O ShutUp10: This free software allows you to disable Cortana and other Windows 10 features that may be collecting data or causing distractions.

• Winaero Tweaker: This free software includes a variety of options for customizing and tweaking Windows 10, including the ability to hide Cortana.

• Ultimate Windows Tweaker: This free software includes a variety of options for tweaking Windows 10, including the ability to disable Cortana.

How to re-enable Cortana in Windows 10

If you've disabled or hidden Cortana and want to re-enable it, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.

2. Click on "Cortana."

3. Toggle on the options you'd like to enable, such as "Let Cortana respond to "Hey Cortana"" or "Show the search box."

4. Cortana will be re-enabled on your computer.

Conclusion

Cortana can be a useful tool, but it's not for everyone. If you're concerned about your privacy or find Cortana distracting, there are several methods for hiding or disabling it in Windows 10. Whether you prefer to disable Cortana entirely or simply hide it on the taskbar, these methods can help you regain control of your computer and reduce distractions.