Cortana is the digital assistant feature that is available for the users of Windows 10. Many users find Cortana helpful because it helps the user by assisting them in an easy search of the websites, giving mandatory notification and reminders. In the process of taking help from Cortana, you end up sharing a lot of vital information to this virtual assistant. In a way, Cortana is a violates your privacy with your permission. The people who are conscious about the security prefers to disable Cortana in Windows 10. Before Anniversary Update in Windows 10, it was very easy to disable Cortana. But with this update, it has become nearly impossible to disable this digital assistant. As a result of this, people end up searching for ways to disable Cortana in Windows 10.
Today in this post I will share with you a step-by-step guide to disable Cortana in Windows 10 so that you can remain stress free about your security.
When you purchase a PC with Windows 10, you are asked whether you want to use Cortana in the Windows 10 or not. If you select maybe later, there is no way Cortana would be harming your privacy. In this article, I am assuming that you have already given permission to Cortana and now you want to disable its services.
Method to Disable Cortana in Windows 10
Before Anniversary Update, the option of disabling Cortana in Windows 10 was clearly visible. But this changed with the recent update, as a result of which many people don’t know how to disable Cortana. You don’t need any extra knowledge of computer to remove Cortana from Windows 10, all you need to do is follow few simple steps which will ultimately result in disabling Cortana. Though there are many methods to disable Cortana in Windows 10, I have provided you with the easiest way of disabling it.
Follow the easy step by step guide given below to disable Cortana in Windows 10:
- Open the Search Box adjacent to Start Button.
- Click on the Icon under the home icon.
- Now click on “About Me”.
- Choose Your account.
- Click Logout.
- This will help you to get rid of Cortana.
Above method will help you to get rid of Cortana but the search box will still be there in the taskbar.
If you also want to deny the personalized services of Cortana, click on the Microsoft account link which is present below your e-mail id. Another small screen will appear and then again select ‘Sign Out’.
Get Rid of the Cortana Search Box
If you also want to get rid of the Cortana search box, then follow these steps.
- Right click on any free area of the taskbar.
- A box will appear, you will see Cortana in the second option, drag your cursor towards the arrow present near it and then another small box will appear, where you need to select, ‘Hidden’ to hide the Cortana search box.
This method would help you to disable Cortana in Windows 10. If you are facing any problems in following the step guide given in the post, feel free to discuss your problem in the comment section below.
In case, you want Cortana back in your Windows 10, then all you need to do is to undo the steps. If you have successfully removed Cortana from your Windows 10, then share this post with your friends who also want to remove Cortana from their Windows