Cortana, the official digital assistant for Windows computers, was first introduced with Windows 10 as an answer to Apple’s Siri and Google Now. But as handy as the app is, the problems it causes for user privacy cannot be overlooked.

Perhaps that’s the reason Microsoft decided to drop it for the new Windows 11. However, Microsoft hasn’t removed Cortana completely; it just comes disabled by default. For some users, though, Cortana is too good of a luxury to drop off. And if you're one of those users, don't worry—we've got you covered.

In this article, we’ll go over the best ways to enable (and disable) Cortana on your Windows 11 PC.

How to Enable Cortana in Windows 11

If you’re okay with the privacy loopholes of voice assistants—and believe us, there are a lot—then follow the steps below to turn on Cortana on your Windows 11. Also, note that Cortana comes installed by default, so all you'll really have to do is activate it.

You can quickly get started with Cortana on Windows 11 by using the start menu search bar. Here’s how:

  1. Go to the Start menu search bar, type in ‘cortana,’ and select the Best match.
  2. When the Cortana app opens, click on Sign in, and log in with your Microsoft account.
  3. Finally, click on Accept and Continue.
cortana-signup

Do this, and you’ll be logged into your Cortana account. After this, the app will launch.

2. How to Enable Cortana via the Task Manager

If for one reason or the other the above method fails to start up the app, then you can use the Task Manager to achieve a similar result. A program designed to monitor the processes and applications running on your Windows, the Task Manager can also be used for terminating or managing applications.

Therefore, it will come in handy to enable Cortana in your Windows 11. Follow the steps below to get started:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Del and select Task Manager. Alternatively, you can press CTRL + Shift + ESC.
  2. From there, click on the Startup tab.
  3. Now right-click on Cortana to see the list of options.
  4. From this list, select Enable.
enabling cortana from task manager

Related: How to Use the Windows Task Manager

How to Disable Cortana in Windows 11

However, if you’ve had enough of Cortana, you can easily disable it following the same steps you followed above for enabling it, apart from using some other useful methods that we will list here. Let’s go over them one by one.

1. How to Disable Cortana Through the Windows Registry

Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores system-critical files which are continuously referred by an operating system. Be it the kernel, a user interface, or even device drivers—they will all need to access the Registry at some point.

Related: What Is the Windows Registry, and How Do I Edit It?

So if you’d like to disable Cortana permanently, Windows Registry is your best bet. Now before you jump headfirst into editing the Registry, we're assuming you've already backed up all your Windows files. Make no mistake; dabbling with Registry changes doesn't come without its dangers.

After you've taken a backup of your computer, here’s how you can get started:

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. There, type 'regedit' and hit Enter.
  3. When the Windows Registry gets launched, type the following into the address bar:
    Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
  4. Right-click on the Windows folder and select New > Key option.
  5. Name the newly created key ‘Windows Search’.
  6. Right-click on the Windows Search and select the New > DWORD (32-bit).
creating dword value

When you’re done, rename the newly created file to AllowCortana.

Now launch the AllowCortana file and set the Value data to 0. Click on OK. When you’re done, restart your PC to solidify the changes. Do this and Cortana will be disabled on your PC permanently.

chaning the value data property

Here’s what you’ll see when you try to relaunch Cortana from your PC.

disabled cortana

But what if you’d like to enable Cortana again? No problem. All you have to do is to change back the Value data of AllowCortana file from above to 1 and Cortana will be enabled again.

2. How to Disable Cortana With the Group Policy Editor

Group Policy Editor is a Windows administration tool that lets you configure critical Windows settings, known as Group Policy Settings. Group Policy is a feature of Windows that lets you control the working environment of Windows, by letting you tinker with user and computer accounts.

You can turn off the Cortana app with the help of Policy Editor. To get started, follow the steps below:

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. In the Run dialog box, type in ‘gpedit.msc,’ and hit Enter.

When the Group Policy Editor opens, select Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search.

group policy editor

From the Search folder in the right pane of the dialog box, follow the steps below:

  • Look for the “Allow Cortana” policy file and right-click on it.
  • From here, choose the Disabled radio box and click on Apply.

This will disable Cortana from Windows 11. To re-enable it, simply flip back the “Allow Cortana” settings to Enabled, and you’re back to your previous settings.

3. How to Disable Cortana via the Windows Settings

Another way to go around disabling Cortana on your Windows 11 is through the Settings menu. To get started, follow the steps below:

  • Go to the Start menu search bar, type in 'settings,' and select the Best match. Alternatively, press Windows Key + I together and the Settings menu will pop open.
  • Click on Apps > Apps & features.
  • Navigate to the app list search bar, type in 'cortana,' and the Cortana app will show up. Right-click on the Cortana options (three aligned dots) and select Advanced options.
  • Look for the Runs at log-in option and turn off the toggle button under it.
disabling cortana from settings

Once you complete all the steps from above, Cortana will be successfully disabled for your Windows 11.

Enabling and Disabling Cortana on Windows 11

And that’s all, folks. Now you know all the surefire methods to modify your Cortana settings on Windows 11. While we don’t have anything against Microsoft—or even virtual assistant programs for that matter—we’d advise you to avoid them as much as you can. Apart from collecting your data and selling it to the highest bidder, all the virtual assistants are susceptible to hacks—making their daily adoption an alarming prospect for most end users.