Questions tagged [cortana]

For questions related to Microsoft's digital personal assistant Cortana.

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Is there a quick way to activate Cortana in Windows 11 other than by voice?

In Windows 10, you could easily activate Cortana by pressing Win+C, but that no longer works in the latest version of the OS. Is there another way to do that? Perhaps using a command line (/CMD ...
Josef H.'s user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
214 views

Windows 10 Search & Calendar stop working after font installation

I've had this problem for a while that every once and so often, the Windows Search, Calendar, and other functions would stop working, and I had to return to a system restore point. I now finally got a ...
Kira Resari's user avatar
  • 1,469
-3 votes
1 answer
161 views

Windows 10 can't click on / unclickable apps links after searching in start menu

PROBLEM: clicking the link does nothing Does anyone know why? Here's a similar thread with similar issue but none of the proposed solutions worked... Windows 10: Can't click on apps after ...
jpub's user avatar
  • 1
1 vote
1 answer
1k views

Windows 10 - some app icons in search results (win + s) are overlayed with a photoshop icon

I would be most grateful for any pointers which lead to resolving the following issue. The Problem When I use windows search (win + s) the icons for windows 10 related apps are shown with a photoshop ...
M.Scherzer's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
61 views

Shut down Cortana for good [duplicate]

Can anyone help me out? I've searched here on Superuser, I've searched Google, I've searched everywhere, and I cannot for the life of me find out how to shut down Cortana. Mind you, I have a new ...
Steve G.'s user avatar
  • 203
0 votes
2 answers
1k views

Search box grayed out in Windows explorer

A long time ago, I ran some scripts from the web to increase the privacy of my Windows 10 installation. Among other things it disabled Cortana. Except for multiple error messages in the event viewer ...
Alex O's user avatar
  • 635
6 votes
1 answer
2k views

Create alias in windows start menu search

I'd like to customize the results that show up when I type something into windows search. For example, when I type VPN into the start menu search, I'd like PIA / Private Internet Access to show up. Is ...
KyleMit's user avatar
  • 6,315
0 votes
0 answers
2k views

Windows 10 v10.0.18363.1016 - Cannot search using Win+S or using search in Explorer (top right bar) - Event Name: MoAppCrash

Cannot use Windows search anymore. I've checked and don't see any recent updates to my laptop. When clicking in the box in upper right corner of Windows Explorer my PC briefly locks up, and a crash ...
Brad's user avatar
  • 181
0 votes
1 answer
2k views

Cortana Cannot Open Web Pages, Says: I'm sorry, I can't pull up websites here, but I can open apps

I am using Windows 10. When I try asking Cortana, open google.com, or open google.com with chrome, it says: I'm sorry, I can't pull up websites here, but I can open apps. Can cortana not do this?? I ...
KetZoomer's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
252 views

What is it that controls the dlls that SearchUI.exe (Cortana) loads when running?

I am troubleshooting an issue I'm having with SearchUI (Cortana). (see Cortana starts being slow and laggy after launch of the UFT (Unified Functional Testing) application) I have narrowed it down ...
Traceur's user avatar
  • 101
1 vote
1 answer
167 views

Cortana not providing option to open local file search result in Explorer

For several years with Windows 10 I have been using Cortana to find a file by name, and then open the file location in Explorer. For some months now the only right-click option has been "Open in ...
Stephen Hosking's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
102 views

Unable to select English (UK) speech in Windows 10 Enterprise

I have a Windows 10 Enterprise machine where Country or region is set to United Kingdom Languages includes English (United Kingdom) But still the only speech language available is English (United ...
Henning Truslew Gulliksen's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
35 views

Windows 10 VM Search

I have a windows 10 OS that I run on VMWare Player. The search in the bottom left does not work, I can click on it but can type into it. The service is running but the event logs say "Unable to start ...
MrNiceGuy's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
76 views

How to find the Cortana shortcut created by Windows to Launch Anaconda and Activate Env?

I reinstalled Miniconda on a new machine and installed 64-bit and 32-bit versions. Now, when I type in Cortana, 'anaconda' I get offered an option which I understand is a conda environment, but I can'...
xtian's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
166 views

Spotify is not responding to Cortana

Spotify doesn't respond to Cortana's requests. After I ask Cortana to play some music on spotify, Cornata successfully opens up Spotify, but doesn't do anything. Cortana successfully identifies the ...
Daniel's user avatar
  • 11
-1 votes
1 answer
5k views

How to stop Cortana from running in the background?

Cortana continues to consume RAM and processing speed on my PC. I have disabled Cortana with RegEdit {HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows} change 1 to 0. Even after this, I ...
KC Reboot's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
1k views

Start Menu search is no longer functional and the Cortana (SearchUI.exe) process is using a lot of resources

Recently I moved my desktop PC to a new place and for some reason the Windows start menu search is no longer functional. I usually tap the Windows key and type to open up most programs. Now, after I ...
jrdnbnnll's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
181 views

C# app corrupts cortana and other windows apps

I wrote an update for one of my C# apps, basic bug fixing stuff like Empty-Checks for textboxes and UI make up, no new features, same external DLL versions. While testing it on my VM's I noticed ...
Christoph Bruns's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
458 views

Block Bing Search on Windows 10 build 1903

I found answers about modifying the registry with "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" for 1803, but in 1903 the registry keys dont seem to exist, or have been moved. ...
Scalextrix's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
38 views

Files with no extension that "Cortana" makes on the regular

Ok so my first question should be obvious, what purpose do these files without an extension serve? and why is the program cortana generating them? Which brings me to my second not so obvious question,...
Adam Ledger's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
3k views

Visual Studio Code Remote-SSH Windows 10 ssh-agent.exe issue

I installed the Remote-SSH add-on in VS code. I was able to connect to my server which uses key encrypted login with a passphrase. This included using Windows 10 ssh-agent as described here: https:/...
Thomas's user avatar
  • 11
2 votes
0 answers
598 views

Windows 10 notifications come late and all at the same time

Sometimes my notifications (from any source - Outlook, Slack, Cortana reminders...) are on time and sometimes they all come late. When they are late (sometimes by hours) they all show up together at ...
Xavier Poinas's user avatar
12 votes
5 answers
13k views

Windows 10 is not finding all my applications

I am having an odd issue with Windows 10 and it seems to have started about a month ago. When opening an application, I usually just click in the Cortana search bar and type a few letters of the ...
Icemanind's user avatar
  • 499
0 votes
1 answer
55 views

Cortana popup prevention

After riding the bus into work this morning, I logged into my computer and there was a popup telling me about "Cortana Traffic." And the most negative response I could give was "Not now." I ...
William Jockusch's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
1k views

How do I re-enable Cortana after disabling using registry edits?

I had disabled Cortana using registry edits as suggested here. Specifically, by going into HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search. and setting the key AllowCortana to 0. ...
kp91's user avatar
  • 746
1 vote
1 answer
76 views

See all reminders in Windows 10

I like to set reminders with Cortana every once in a while. However, sometimes I lose track of what I have set Cortana to remind me for. Is there an easy and quick way, to see all the reminders I set ...
TheKidsWantDjent's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
27 views

Cortana wont open certain programs due to spelling

I've been using cortana, but I've run into a problem. I was hoping to get her to open a program called CorelDRAW X3 but she always hears "corele instead of corel." Is there any way I can change this ...
Mark Deven's user avatar
  • 1,618
0 votes
1 answer
413 views

Can you use a smart speaker as a microphone/speaker combo for a normal PC?

I am working on a project where I want to build a HTPC/gaming pc/NAS combo that sits in my living room close to my TV. It will run Windows 10 and it will be controllable by an XBOX One controller (and ...
Bram Vanroy's user avatar
  • 1,307
1 vote
1 answer
591 views

Cortana can't hear me, but responds to "Hey Cortana"

I can turn Cortana on by saying "Hey Cortana". She appears to listen but ignores everything. After a few seconds she says she didn't hear anything. This problem appeared on both of my computers at the ...
Arthur Tarasov's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
272 views

Cortana stopped syncing text messages (sms) between Windows and my Android phones

So, Cortana syncing SMS and other app notifications was very handy while it worked. I got accustomed to it, but then one day it just stopped for no apparent reason. Form what I searched on the web, ...
noseratio's user avatar
  • 2,733
0 votes
1 answer
261 views

Time of day used by Cortana makes no sense

I like Cortana and use it quite a bit, but I'm seeing some goofy behavior on my 15063.250 work machine and possibly on my other Windows 10 devices. If at say 2:10 pm I ask Cortana to set a reminder ...
Eric's user avatar
  • 1,243
2 votes
3 answers
14k views

Remove Cortana from start menu

I've been trying to remove the Cortana icon from the start menu for a while now but haven't been successful yet. How do you guys do it? This is the current look All I want to do is remove/hide the ...
Lyux's user avatar
  • 139
7 votes
1 answer
1k views

Search with partial name in Windows 10 start menu

Is it possible to search in Windows 10 from start menu with part of an application name? Example I have qBittorrent app. If I start searching with torrent I see no results. In contrast, if I search ...
Odys's user avatar
  • 1,621
1 vote
2 answers
6k views

I disabled Cortana but it still runs

I have disabled Cortana in a number of different ways, including Settings, Registry, and Group Policy. Yet it still runs and hogs memory: I see this post, but it's not very helpful.
HerrimanCoder's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
140 views

Windows 10 search "best match" delay (order issues)

I have a problem with the Windows 10 search feature. Currently running 1709 but I think it happens since 1607. The highest entry (best match) is changing for no reason. For example I have Visual ...
gobnepla's user avatar
  • 121
3 votes
0 answers
618 views

Windows 10 Cortana/Search Turned White

I recently got the April update for Windows 10 and immediately I noticed Cortana/Search on the taskbar sticking out like a sore thumb. The seemingly only valid solution available is to turn the app ...
ThatRandomGuy's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
984 views

How do I restore Windows 10 Quick Search functionality after Feature Update 1803 install?

After installing the Windows 10 Feature Update version 1803 on May 8, 2018 the Windows Quick Search function stopped working. When I am on the desktop or press the Windows key and begin typing, no ...
Rob Emenecker's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
1k views

Tap here to make sure Cortana can hear you

When I click on the microphone icon in the Cortana search box on my Asus laptop running Windows 10 x64 16299.98 I don't hear the tone that Cortana normally plays when she used to do when she listening ...
Eric's user avatar
  • 1,243
-1 votes
1 answer
12k views

How to truly disable Cortana [duplicate]

The answer from https://www.pcworld.com/article/2949759/windows/killing-cortana-how-to-disable-windows-10s-info-hungry-digital-assistant.html doesn't work, because I've already set the AllowCortanas ...
xpt's user avatar
  • 8,611
2 votes
1 answer
597 views

How to prevent Cortana from sending voice input to Microsoft AND still be able to use speech recognition

I want to prevent Cortana from sending voice input to Microsoft. But I still want to use speech recognition which will use installed 'Speech Recognition' feature. [I don't need Cortana, if Cortana ...
TontyTon's user avatar
  • 163
0 votes
0 answers
121 views

Cortana can't find any third-party apps

I recently installed Windows 10 1709, already updated it but Cortana can't find any third-party apps like Firefox. But it can find Windows apps like Calculator and Edge. Already tried some tips with ...
spoik's user avatar
  • 1
0 votes
0 answers
228 views

Disabled Cortana but still want to be able to use search

I have Windows10, and I hate Cortana so I disabled it. Now, when I press the Windows button and type something, the search results I used to see are not displayed anymore. Typing text after pressing ...
serge's user avatar
  • 703
0 votes
1 answer
2k views

Will windows 10 wakeup my pc for an Alarm

Basic question. My pc is setup to sleep after an hour idle... If a alarm is setup with cortana for the next morning, will the alarm app wakeup the pc so it can perform the alarm ? Just need a quick ...
AverageDude's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
2k views

Cortana's not searching PC files...?

I have windows 10, btw. I'm trying to search for files in my documents folder (not in OneDrive) using Cortana, but whatever I search, the only documents that show up after a while are ones on my ...
Sophia's user avatar
  • 31
0 votes
1 answer
540 views

Windows 10 search option does not work

I have this issue for a while, when I try to type in the search box (Cortana as they say), nothing appears in the text box and it seems like disabled or frozen.
noman palash's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
871 views

Reuse Win+C shortcut after disabling Cortana in Windows 10 1703

We have an application that uses custom key combinations for copy/paste operations. Before we deployed Windows 10 1703 build, users where able to use 'Win-C' combination in the application. As ...
Sergei's user avatar
  • 145
0 votes
1 answer
1k views

Windows 10 - Continue where I left off cannot be disabled

I followed this tutorial to disable the feature as much as possible (there are no "skills" to manage), but every time I turn my computer on I still have to wait for it to relaunch applications I had ...
Elaskanator's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
4k views

Is there a way to block Cortana's access to Outlook emails and calendar?

I have been thinking about eventually upgrading my Windows 7 to Windows 10 but would not like Cortana to have unrestricted access to my emails (as stated in the answer to this question) or my calendar ...
alec's user avatar
  • 123
1 vote
0 answers
751 views

Win 10: Set an alarm that will auto-dismiss after 60 seconds of alarm sounding

With Cortana, a user can set up an alarm. In an office environment the alarm sounds forever and disturbs colleagues. Is there a way to set a default auto-dismiss time for any future alarm made with ...
userJT's user avatar
  • 1,064
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

How to make cortana search box dark

It used to always be dark for me, now after updating my machine (yesterday) it has been white (light), and it's really annoying: I realized that if I make it Dark Mode then it looks normal, however I ...
Welz's user avatar
  • 207