Switch off Windows 10 with Cortana and restart - that's how it works

If you want to switch off or restart your PC with Windows 10, you only need to use Cortana. We show you which voice commands you need to know for this.

Shut down Windows PC with Cortana

In order for Cortana to switch off your computer, you must first activate the "Hey Cortana" function. Then you need a little more preparation:

1. Open Windows Explorer (quickly with the key combination [Windows] + [E]) and navigate to the path "C: \ Users \ NAME \ AppData \ Roaming \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Startmenu \ Programs". Instead of "NAME" use your username.
2. Right-click on a free space there and select the "Link" option under "New".
3. In the field under "Enter the location of the element" type the command "Shutdown.exe" and click "Next".
4. Then select "Shutdown" as the name and click on "Finish".
5. Now click with the right mouse button on the new link and decide in the context menu for the entry "Properties".
6. In the "Link" tab, at the end of "Target", insert the character combination "-s -t 00". The command should look like this: "C: \ Windows \ System32 \ shutdown.exe -s -t 00".
7. When you click "OK", all preparations are complete.
8. Now say “Hey, Cortana” and wait for the voice assistant to activate. The PC then shuts down with the "Open Shutdown" command.
9. Tip: If you want a shutdown delay, change the last number of the link command. With "C: \ Windows \ System32 \ shutdown.exe -s -t 60", your PC only shuts down after 60 seconds.

Restart Windows computer with Cortana

If Cortana should also be able to restart your computer, you must repeat the above steps accordingly:

1. First open the path "C: \ Users \ NAME \ AppData \ Roaming \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Startmenu \ Programs" and click "New"> "Shortcut" in the context menu.
2. Enter the "shutdown.exe" command as the location of the element and click "Next".
3. This time you choose "Restart" as the name. Then click on "Finish".
4. Then right-click the new link again and select "Properties".
5. In the "Link" tab, add the character combination "-r -t 00" under "Target". The command is then: "C: \ Windows \ System32 \ shutdown.exe -r -t 00". The "-r" in the command has changed and also stands for "restart".
6. Then start Cortana by saying "Hey Cortana". With "Start Restart" Cortana shuts down your research and starts it again.
7. Tip: Instead of "Restart" you can of course give your shortcut another name like "Restart".

Cortana vs. Siri: Which voice assistant is better?

In addition to useful functions, Cortana also has many jokes in stock. We will present the language assistant's best Easter eggs in another article.