Skip to main content
Tech Radar Tech Radar TechRadar The source for Tech Buying Advice
Subscribe
RSS
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
Technology Magazines
(opens in new tab)
Technology Magazines (opens in new tab)
Why subscribe?
  • The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12.99
(opens in new tab)
View Deal (opens in new tab)
  • News
  • Best
  • Reviews
  • Opinion
  • How To
  • Deals
  • More
    • Versus
    • Appliances
    • Audiovisual
    • Cameras
    • Car Tech
    • Computing
    • Coupons
    • Downloads
    • Entertainment
    • Fitness
    • Laptops
    • Phones
    • Smart Home
    • Tablets
    • TVs
    • Wearables
    • About Us
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • iPhone 15
  • ChatGPT
  • Wordle hints
  • Best phones
  • Best VPN
  • Best air-fryers

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. Home
  2. How-to
  3. Computing

How to personalize Cortana

By Cat Ellis
published 18 August 2016

What's my name?

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Train Cortana to suit your life

Train Cortana to suit your life

First introduced on handsets running Windows Phone, Microsoft's virtual personal assistant Cortana arrived on the desktop with the launch of Windows 10.

Named after an artificial intelligence from science fiction game series Halo, Cortana is much more than just a search tool – it also manages your calendar, tracks packages and even tells jokes.

Cortana packs in more features than Apple's assistant Siri, or Google Now, and you can make it even more personal by customising your settings to reflect your interests, activities and preferences.

It works together with Microsoft's wealth of programs and tools to help you get even more from your PC. Let's get started!

  • For more Cortana tips, check out our guide on how to use Cortana
Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
1. Meet Cortana

1. Meet Cortana

Cortana is accessed by clicking the Search box beside Windows 10's Start button. If an introduction to Cortana doesn't appear, click the circle icon on the left-hand side of the menu.

Click 'Next', then click 'Use Cortana' to continue. You can now control Cortana by typing into the search box, or clicking the microphone icon and speaking – more on that later.

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
2. Where are you?

2. Where are you?

Cortana will automatically pick up your location and display it on a map, along with a weather report. If you're not currently at home, you can enter your address and Cortana will provide information like traffic reports so you know what to expect on the roads.

It will also synchronise with your Google or Outlook calendar and provide reminders about forthcoming events.

  • How to use Windows 10 privacy settings
Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
3. Fill in the blanks

3. Fill in the blanks

Like any personal assistant worth their salt, Cortana keeps a 'Notebook' full of information about the boss – that means you! To fill in the blanks in this notebook and improve your experience with Cortana, click the third icon down in the menu on the left and choose 'About me'.

Here you can tell Cortana your name (and how to pronounce it, if necessary).

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
4. Favourite places

4. Favourite places

It's also worth adding some of your favourite places to the Notebook. These could include your office, friends' addresses, favourite shops and more.

Once you've entered a place you can click it for more information, including a map, contact details, reviews and prices (for shops, restaurants and hotels), directions from your current location, and other places to visit nearby.

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
5. Notebooks and cards

5. Notebooks and cards

Giving Cortana details about your preferences will improve the quality of search results and recommendations, so move through each of the topics listed in the Notebook and enter as much information as you like.

Each of these subjects relates to a 'card' – a page of information relevant to your interests. Some of the settings are quite esoteric, but you can deactivate them.

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
6. Make connections

6. Make connections

You can make Cortana even more useful by connecting other accounts. For example, connecting your LinkedIn account can give you information about people you're scheduled to meet, and connecting your Xbox Live account will let you know when your friends are online and provide relevant information about the games you enjoy playing.

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
7. Voice commands

7. Voice commands

To control Cortana with your voice, click the microphone icon beside the search box. Cortana will detect any microphones connected or built into your PC, and ask you to read a sentence aloud so it can adjust the input volume.

You can then use commands like 'Play all my songs' or 'What is it like outside?' Plug in headphones or speakers to hear the responses.

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
8. Hey Cortana

8. Hey Cortana

Cortana's settings (found beneath 'Linked accounts' in the notebook) let you customise voice controls further. You can choose to activate the assistant by saying 'Hey Cortana' (however, this will drain the battery of mobile devices more rapidly because the microphone is always on), and train it to recognise your voice to avoid it being activated by someone nearby.

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
9. The Google option

9. The Google option

Bear in mind that commands issued to Cortana will always be performed using Microsoft tools – so web searches and weather reports will use Bing, emails will use Outlook, music will be played using Groove Music.

If you prefer to use Google Search, Gmail, Google Calendar etc, you'll be better served by Google Now. However, Now is only available for mobile devices.

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
10. Tell us a joke

10. Tell us a joke

Now that you've customised Cortana, try asking a few questions, such as 'Is there a coffee shop near me?' 'What's in my diary for Friday?' 'What restaurants are near me?' 'How long will it take to get to work?' and the British classic 'What is it like outside?'

You can also ask to hear something funny, though the groan-worthy jokes might make you wish you hadn't.

  • Enjoyed this article? Discover how to get the most from your PC and new things to do in Windows Help & Advice. Take advantage of an exclusive offer in our sampler today.
Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Cat Ellis
Cat Ellis
Social Links Navigation

Cat is the editor of TechRadar's sister site Advnture. She’s a UK Athletics qualified run leader, and in her spare time enjoys nothing more than lacing up her shoes and hitting the roads and trails (the muddier, the better)

See more Computing how-to
More about computing
An AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D on its retail packaging

AMD Ryzen 7000 successor statement is 'genuine mistake', says server firm

real image of donald trump at trump rally smirking at camera

Midjourney didn’t flinch at fake Trump images, but platform abuse motivated free trial halt

Latest
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand

Quordle today - hints and answers for Friday, March 31 (game #431)

See more latest ►
Most Popular
How to transfer PS4 save data to PS5

By Adam VjesticaMarch 30, 2023

How to enable 120Hz on PS5

By Adam VjesticaMarch 30, 2023

How to install an M.2 SSD in your PS5

By Aleksha McLoughlinMarch 29, 2023

Got an Oculus Quest 2? Here's why you need to get a Google Chromecast too

By Hamish HectorMarch 29, 2023

Scotland vs Spain live stream: how to watch Euro 2024 qualifier online and on TV from anywhere, team news

By Kevin LynchMarch 28, 2023

How to opt out of BeenVerified

By Bryan M WolfeMarch 28, 2023

How to download Google Maps for offline use on mobile

By Hamish HectorMarch 27, 2023

How to measure distance on Google Maps on any device

By Hamish HectorMarch 27, 2023

How to remove yourself from the internet

By Bryan M WolfeMarch 27, 2023

How to create a YouTube channel

By Kenneth C. NzeoguMarch 27, 2023

How to watch Succession season 4 online: stream every episode of the HBO drama's final season

By Aatif SulleymanMarch 26, 2023

  1. Best Xbox Series X accessories
    1
    The Xbox Series X receives visual update, but not the one we've been waiting for
  2. 2
    Apple TV 4K gets promised Quick Media Switching feature to eliminate 'HDMI bonk'
  3. 3
    Leaked screenshot could be an early glimpse of the Windows 12 desktop
  4. 4
    ChatGPT has passed the Turing test and if you're freaked out, you're not alone
  5. 5
    Microsoft’s mission to make Windows 11 worse continues with ads in the Start menu
  1. Apple TV 4K 2022 and Siri remote on white background
    1
    Apple TV 4K gets promised Quick Media Switching feature to eliminate 'HDMI bonk'
  2. 2
    ChatGPT has passed the Turing test and if you're freaked out, you're not alone
  3. 3
    Microsoft’s mission to make Windows 11 worse continues with ads in the Start menu
  4. 4
    Windows 12’s RAM demands could spell doom for older PCs
  5. 5
    I switched from my iPhone 14 Pro but iMessage wouldn't let me go

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

  • About Us (opens in new tab)
  • Contact Future's experts (opens in new tab)
  • Contact Us (opens in new tab)
  • Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
  • Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
  • Advertise with us (opens in new tab)
  • Web notifications (opens in new tab)
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers (opens in new tab)

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.