Skip to main content
Tech Radar
  • Tech Radar Pro
  • Tech Radar Gaming
Tech Radar Pro TechRadar the business technology experts
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
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
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Expert Insights
  • Website builders
  • Web hosting
  • Security
Trending
  • Best website builder
  • Best web hosting
  • Best office chairs
  • Best antivirus
  • Expert Insights
Recommended reading
The Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ in silver pictured on a wooden desk.
Windows Microsoft could offer a guided tour of the Copilot app to help Windows 11 newbies, but I’m still waiting for the big changes to the AI assistant
Galaxy Book4 Edge on table
Windows Find Windows 11’s settings too confusing? Microsoft has an answer – and it unsurprisingly relies on AI
A woman sitting in a chair looking at a Windows 11 laptop
Windows Microsoft has a big new AI settings upgrade for Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs – plus 3 other nifty tricks
Woman using a Windows computer with Microsoft Edge
Edge Microsoft Edge is now getting more AI, and I’d be surprised if an even bigger push for more Copilot isn’t just around the corner
Copilot April 2025 Update
Artificial Intelligence I didn’t care about Copilot, but this massive upgrade could make Microsoft’s AI the personal assistant I’ve always wanted
Microsoft Copilot Vision
Artificial Intelligence Microsoft Copilot is putting eyes on your screen, and I don't mind it – as long as it stays private
The Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ in silver pictured on a wooden desk.
Windows Microsoft is working on some seriously exciting Windows 11 improvements – but not everyone will get them
  1. Pro
  2. Software & Services

How to use Cortana

How-to
By Advice, Windows Help published 20 October 2015

Get to know Cortana in Windows 10

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

Set up Cortana

Set up Cortana

If you've used Siri on the iPhone or Google Now on an Android phone, you'll know what Cortana is like right away.

If you haven't used one of those things then let us explain. Cortana is a virtual assistant that presents you with information if you ask it a question – either by voice or by typing into the Windows 10 search box on the taskbar. You're even able to tell it what shares and sports teams you want to track.

If this seems intrusive it really isn't, To start using Cortana, click in the Windows search box on the taskbar. It's not immediately obvious how to get started, as you're shown a box saying 'Here are some of the things I can do for you' – click Next to get started and add your name when it asks.

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
1. Gathering info

1. Gathering info

Cortana doesn't just answer questions by searching the web, it learns about you. To do this, you need to allow it to scan your emails, access your calendar and use your current location. If you're worried about this, click the Privacy Statement for more information. Then click Next.

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
2. Can Cortana hear you?

2. Can Cortana hear you?

Firstly you'll need to give Cortana a little voice training. If you have a laptop you'll probably see this message, which basically warns that your microphone might not be good enough for Cortana's voice control.

Unless you've got a really old laptop, however, this shouldn't be an issue.

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
3. Get training

3. Get training

Cortana will ask you to repeat some phrases to it so it can learn your voice. This doesn't take long and isn't intensive; gone are the days when you had to spend three hours doing this kind of thing.

You can click the microphone icon in the search box to start talking to Cortana.

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
4. Take a look

4. Take a look

If you don't immediately search or ask a question in the search box, you'll see this screen when you click in the search area. It's the main Cortana window, showing you tailored information.

Generally this will be the weather where you are plus news, but it could also be sports results or similar as Cortana gets to know you.

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
5. Click the sidebar

5. Click the sidebar

Cortana has a sidebar menu. Home is what you've just seen. Reminders enables you to set a reminder much like you would on a mobile phone – it could be used to alert you when you need to go shopping, for example.

It can also be set up to remind you when you enter or leave a particular location.

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
6. Configure your Notebook

6. Configure your Notebook

This oddly-named Notebook is where you can let Cortana know your in-depth preferences, as well as control what personal information it uses in About Me.

The options aren't exhaustive, but if Cortana is showing you details about travel and you don't need it, here's the place to turn it off. We'll look at Settings in a moment.

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
7. Fine-tune

7. Fine-tune

Each option within Notebook has varying degrees of fine-control. Here we're looking at the Finance option that enables you to track various stocks within Cortana.

As you can see we're tracking Microsoft and Apple stocks here, but you can add anything you choose – or turn Finance cards completely off.

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
8. Hey Cortana

8. Hey Cortana

If you click Settings in Notebook, you can turn Cortana off (which will clear everything that Cortana knows about you on your device).

But you can also get Cortana to respond to your voice by saying 'Hey Cortana' to wake it up. This uses more power on a mobile device since Cortana always listens for your voice.

  • Check out all our Windows 10 guides
Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
TOPICS
Windows 10 Microsoft
Windows Help
Read more
The Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ in silver pictured on a wooden desk.
Microsoft could offer a guided tour of the Copilot app to help Windows 11 newbies, but I’m still waiting for the big changes to the AI assistant
Galaxy Book4 Edge on table
Find Windows 11’s settings too confusing? Microsoft has an answer – and it unsurprisingly relies on AI
A woman sitting in a chair looking at a Windows 11 laptop
Microsoft has a big new AI settings upgrade for Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs – plus 3 other nifty tricks
Woman using a Windows computer with Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge is now getting more AI, and I’d be surprised if an even bigger push for more Copilot isn’t just around the corner
Copilot April 2025 Update
I didn’t care about Copilot, but this massive upgrade could make Microsoft’s AI the personal assistant I’ve always wanted
Microsoft Copilot Vision
Microsoft Copilot is putting eyes on your screen, and I don't mind it – as long as it stays private
Latest in Software & Services
AdGuard Mail secure email review
Adguard Mail secure email review
Virtru secure email provider review
Virtru secure email review
PreVeil secure email review
PreVeil secure email review
Soverin secure email review
Soverin secure email review
hubspot logo on orange background
HubSpot enables deep research through ChatGPT
Adobe Firefly
How to use Adobe Firefly in 30 minutes
Latest in How Tos
Google Chrome logo on desktop and mobile
How to private browse in Chrome on Windows, Android and ChromeOS
The ball for Women's Euro 2025
How to watch Women's Euro 2025: live stream soccer options, TV channels, watch for FREE
Coco Gauff practicing for Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Yastremska vs Gauff at Wimbledon 2025 on BBC iPlayer (it's free)
Jamie Smith and Joe Root celebrate after walking off unbeaten in their test victory against India at Headingley, Leeds.
How to watch England vs India 2nd Test: Live stream cricket online – India 310-5 after Day 1 Gill century
Emma Raducanu preparing for Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Raducanu vs Xu online: live stream Wimbledon 2025 tennis FREE
A woman dances on a friend's shoulders at the Glastonbury Festival held at Worthy Farm, in Pilton, Somerset on June 29 near Glastonbury, England. The festival, founded in 1970, has grown into one of the largest outdoor green field festivals in the world.(Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
How to watch Glastonbury replays on BBC iPlayer (it's FREE)
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    I've been using Google AI Search mode for 4 months, and here are 5 tips to get the best results
  2. 2
    This is probably the most powerful rugged laptop ever built - and you can even add a barcode scanner
  3. 3
    Viewsonic unveils monitors with infrared cameras - but misses a trick by allowing them to be powered by USB-C (and shame they're not 4K)
  4. 4
    How to watch Samsung Galaxy Unpacked on July 9: get ready for new foldable phones and more
  5. 5
    OWC reveals fast 4TB secure portable SSD for less than $530 - 256-bit AES OPAL hardware encryption, touchscreen, but no IP rating

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

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

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...