Business
How to enable and disable Cortana in Windows 11
Microsoft silenced Cortana in Windows 11, but you can get the digital assistant back. Here’s how.

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.
Digital assistants are popping up on every platform, but Microsoft has chosen to silence its little helper with the release of Windows 11. Cortana is no longer active by default, and you’ll need to enable her yourself if you want to bring her back.
We can only guess why Microsoft gave its AI assistant a reduced role in Windows 11.
However, privacy concerns could be one reason, and self-esteem issues could be another. Perhaps she (Microsoft) thinks she’s not as good as the other offered assistants.
READ MORE: How to change the scroll direction in Windows 11
Whatever the reasons for Cortana’s demotion, you can reinstate her with just a few clicks. Let’s discuss how.
Enable Cortana in Windows 11 through the app
One of the simplest ways to enable Cortana is by launching the application in Windows 11 and signing in. Here’s the quickest way to make it happen:


READ MORE: How to change your username in Windows 11
Once you’ve signed in and accepted the terms, the app should launch, and Cortana will be ready to serve.
Enable or disable Cortana in Windows 11 on startup
If you want to alter Cortana’s startup behavior, you can do so by flicking a switch or two. The method you use doesn’t matter too much, as both tactics will achieve the same outcome.
Enable or disable Cortana through the Settings app

READ MORE: How to create a virtual desktop in Windows 11
You can alter Cortana’s startup behavior in the Settings app by following these steps:
- Navigate to Settings > Apps > Installed apps
- Locate Cortana and click the More options (…) icon
- Click Advanced options
- Toggle the switch under Runs at log-in to the desired position
Enable or disable Cortana using Task Manager

You can also alter Cortana’s startup behavior through task manager using these steps:
- Launch Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Escape
- Select the Startup tab
- Right-click Cortana and choose Enable or Disable
If you don’t plan to use Cortana, disabling her on startup is a good move. Fewer processes launching when your PC boots can make the system run a lot smoother. In fact, disabling any unnecessary startup items is a good way to boost performance.
Cortana is here to help
Cortana isn’t the pillar of Windows she once was, but Microsoft giving us options and not ramming her down our throats is a welcome move.
While you can quit and disable Cortana at any time, you can’t remove her completely from the system, so she’ll always be there, watching and waiting for the right opportunity to strike. What will she strike with? Helpful advice and expert assistance.
Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.
Editors’ Recommendations:
- Miss the weather widget in Windows 11? Well, Microsoft is bringing it back
- It looks like Microsoft will finally let you choose your own browser in Windows 11
- Google Play games are coming to Windows PCs in 2022
- Can you disable the Xbox Game Bar in Windows 10?
- How to use the clipboard manager in Windows 11
Follow us on Flipboard, Google News, or Apple News
