Disable Cortana in Windows 10: how it works

You can deactivate the Cortana voice assistant in most versions of Windows 10. We'll show you how.

Disable Cortana for Windows 10 Home

Latest videos

Open regedit

Navigate to the "Windows Search" folder

Create a new Dword value "AllowCortana"

Set "AllowCortana" to "0"

Microsoft is not making it easy for users to completely disable Cortana. If you use Windows 10 Home, it makes sense to switch Cortana off via the registry:

1. Press the key combination [Win] + [R] and enter regedit in the Run dialog. Confirm with OK .
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Policies \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Windows Search .
3. Note: If you do not see the "Windows Search" folder, you have to create it yourself. Right-click "Windows" and then click "Key".
4. Right click on Windows Search and select New -> Dword value (32 bit) . Name the new entry AllowCortana .
5. Double-click the new entry and set the value to 0 .
6. Restart Explorer.exe or restart to activate the change.

Disable Cortana for Windows 10 Pro

The Group Policy Editor is the best solution for Windows 10 Pro . To turn off the voice assistant, follow these instructions:

1. Windows: Run

Right-click on the Windows button and select Run . Alternatively, press the key combination [Win] + [R] .

2. Call up gpedit.msc

In the Run dialog, enter gpedit.msc and confirm with OK to start the editor for local group policies .

3. Navigate to the Windows components

Double-click the Administrative Templates folder in the Computer Configuration section on the left. Then select the " Windows components" item and open the " Search" folder.

4. Entry "Allow Cortana"

In the right pane of the window, look for the Allow Cortana entry. Double click on it.

5. Deactivate Cortana

Now select Deactivated and confirm with Apply .

Deactivate Cortana via the firewall

Latest videos

Open command prompt as administrator

Add new rule to the firewall

$config[ads_text5] not found

As an alternative to the two previous methods, you can also use a trick to block Cortana in your firewall. This works in all versions of the operating system.

1. Search for cmd.exe and run the file as administrator (right click -> run as administrator).
2. Copy the following command into the window: netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name = "Block Cortana Outbound Traffic" dir = out action = block program = "% windir% \ systemapps \ Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy \ SearchUI.exe" enable = yes profile = any
3. Confirm the entry with [Enter].
4. The voice assistant is now blocked by the firewall and can no longer communicate.

The consequences of Cortana deactivation

Cortana is an integral part of the operating system. If it is activated, you will see a circular symbol in the lower left corner of the task bar next to the start button.

$config[ads_text6] not found

• If you switch off the voice assistant completely, all personalized functions can no longer be used. The search now shows "Search Web and Windows".
• In addition, you can also remove the web search and turn the search function into a local search. So only "Search Windows" is displayed.

Tip: More performance under Windows 10

Even if it doesn't seem like it at first glance, Cortana consumes a lot of power in the background - even when the service is switched off. Other programs are also not very resource-saving under Windows 10. A strong computer is therefore mandatory.

• If performance is poor, you should consider a new notebook. There are already strong models for little money, as our list of best shows.
• In a special article, we also present the currently best laptop for less than 500 euros.

In the next practical tip, we will show you how to log in automatically under Windows 10.