Windows 10: Use Cortana offline - how it works

In Windows 10, Cortana searches for you either on the PC or on the Internet. In this practical tip, we clarify whether and how you can also use the service offline.

Windows 10: Use Cortana offline

With voice control, you can use the Cortana voice assistant to search your own PC or the Internet. An internet connection is mandatory for this.

• If you don't have an internet connection, you can still use the search service for your own files.
• However, the "Create reminders", "Create appointment", "Web search", "Weather forecast", "Interest tracking and message display" and "Mathematical calculations" services cannot be carried out without the Internet.
• This means that even simple computing tasks without an internet connection cannot be performed by Cortana.
• You will then receive an error message and can only search for files on the PC.
• Voice control also remains unaffected. Only the above-mentioned actions cannot be carried out with voice control either.
• Therefore, you should try to use Cortana only when you are connected to the Internet, otherwise many functions will be lost.
• However, you can also deactivate Cortana's online search.
• To do this, click on the three lines in Cortana and select "Settings".
• There you can set the controller under "Search online and include web results" to "Off".