[Tip] Easy Way to Disable and Remove Cortana from Starting in Windows 10

In newer versions of Windows 10 (version 2004 and later), Microsoft has separated Cortana app (digital personal assistant) from Windows Search feature. Now Windows Search and Cortana are different features and provide different functionality in Windows 10. In previous Windows 10 versions, Cortana was a part of Windows Search and if we uninstalled or removed Cortana using PowerShell scripts/commands, it also broke Windows Search functionality (look here for more info).

Now Cortana provides a new chat-based UI and users can move (drag-n-drop) and resize Cortana window. (Check the changelog)

Since Cortana is now a standalone utility or app in Windows 10, we can completely disable or remove it from Windows 10 operating system.

Now you can disable and remove Cortana without touching and removing Windows Search feature.

Just like other apps, Cortana is also set to automatic start with Windows 10. As soon as you start your Windows 10 device, Cortana is also automatically launched and keeps running in background and consuming system resources.

If you don’t want to use Cortana assistant, you may want to disable Cortana from running in background and prevent it from continuously using CPU resources and RAM amount.

In this tutorial, we’ll tell you how to disable and remove Cortana from automatically starting with Windows 10 and running in background. We’ll also tell you how to completely uninstall and remove Cortana from Windows 10.

Let’s start the tutorial:

STEP 1: Remove Cortana from Startup Apps List

First of all, we’ll remove Cortana from Windows startup apps list which will block Cortana from automatically starting with Windows.

There are 2 methods to disable Cortana from automatic starting with Windows as mentioned here:

METHOD 1: Using Task Manager:

1. Right-click on Taskbar and select Task Manager option. It’ll open Task Manager. Alternatively, you can also direct launch Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys together.

If Task Manager is opened in mini mode, click on “More details” button. It’ll launch Task Manager in full version mode.

2. Now go to “Startup” tab and there you’ll see a list of all startup apps.

Look for Cortana app present in the list.

Select Cortana app and click on Disable button. You can also right-click on Cortana app and select Disable option from context menu.

Restart your computer to take effects.

METHOD 2: Using Settings App:

1. Open Settings app from Start Menu or by pressing WIN+I keys together.

2. Now go to “Apps -> Startup” section.

PS: Alternatively, You can directly launch this page using “ms-settings:startupapps” command in RUN dialog box as mentioned here.

3. It’ll show list of all startup apps. Look for Cortana app.

Set the toggle button given next to Cortana app to OFF to disable Cortana from starting with Windows.

Restart your computer to take effects.

Now Cortana will no longer start automatically with Windows.

STEP 2: Remove Cortana Icon from Taskbar to Completely Get Rid of It

Once you disable Cortana from automatically starting with Windows 10, you can remove its shortcut icon from Taskbar so that you don’t click on the icon accidentally and launch Cortana.

Right-click on Taskbar empty area or right-click on Cortana icon and uncheck “Show Cortana Button” option.

That’s it. It’ll remove Cortana icon from Taskbar.

BONUS TIP for EXPERTS:

Since Cortana is now a standalone UWP app in Windows 10, it’s now possible to uninstall Cortana completely. Once you uninstall Cortana, it’ll be removed from Windows 10 and no one will be able to access or use it.

You can uninstall Cortana using the PowerShell script given in following article:

[Guide] How to Uninstall and Remove All Built-in Apps in Windows 10

Also Check:

[Guide] How to Reinstall All Default Built-in Apps in Windows 10