Troubleshoot How to disable Cortana ?

[JB007]

Briefly explain your current issue(s)

Cannot disable Cortana

Steps taken to resolve, but have been unsuccessful

None, I don't know what to do

Hello,
Can you help me to disable Cortana on Windows 10 Pro 1709 (16299.371) and replace it with the old classic "search" ?
Thanks.

 

[Paul Lee]

Cortana Is Windows search

 

[ForgottenSeer 69673]

Cortana replies, I am sorry Dave, you can't do that.

 

[JB007]

Cortana Is Windows search

Cortana replies, I am sorry Dave, you can't do that.

Thanks @Paul Lee and @ticklemefeet
And if I install "Classic Shell" ?

 

[ForgottenSeer 69673]

Yes you could install classic shell. That would work but I guess you would have to try it and see cortana remains in task manager or not.

From the forum it appears cortana remains after installing classic shell

Classic Shell • View topic - How to access Cortana from Classic Start Menu

 

[Hadden]

There are several tools which do that and even powershell scripts.
But I guess will be reinstalled at every "feature update".
You could even break some "modern" feature doing that. (I like mods, so I know MS don't like them).
And the windows search, according to comments above.
Classic shell is not developed anymore, due to frequent MS updates. (but it still works. For now).

 

[harlan4096]

This tool has an option to disable Cortana, without disabling Windows searches: WPD

 

[JB007]

This tool has an option to disable Cortana, without disabling Windows searches: WPD

Thanks @harlan4096
Please can you post some screen shots ?

 

[harlan4096]

Here You are:

Spoiler

​

 

[JB007]

Thanks @harlan4096
And what is the aspect of the start menu?

 

[harlan4096]

That tool does not change Start menu, it allows You to disable W10 telemetry and other unnecessary services

 

[BigWrench]

I have used O&O Shut up in the past with good results. Plain and FREE, but effective.

O&O ShutUp10: download free antispy tool for Windows 10

 

[JB007]

That tool does not change Start menu, it allows You to disable W10 telemetry and other unnecessary services

Thanks @harlan4096 , now I understand how it works

I have used O&O Shut up in the past with good results. Plain but effective.

O&O ShutUp10: download free antispy tool for Windows 10

Thanks @BigWrench
I will give a look at O&O...

 

[BigWrench]

Thanks @harlan4096 , now I understand how it works



Thanks @BigWrench
I will give a look at O&O...

Actually have it running on 6 pc's, running win10. Once in a while you have to look at it to make sure your settings are still intact...... Can't speak for any other privacy programs. O&O is the only one I've ever tried.

 

[Evjl's Rain]

Installing Classic Shell will bring back the orginal windows search , look at the search bar at the bottom
I also have a setting backup file which makes classic shell look exactly like windows 7 start menu. I like it a lot more
import the file by using "backup -> load from XML files..."



Dropbox - classic shell Menu Settings.xml

I also use O&O Shutup + WPD to disable some windows telemetry and cortana + hosts file

 

[17410742]

disabling Cortana is part of the de-botnetting guide.

Windows 10 Privacy Guide - Spring Creators Update

 

[oldschool]

Cortana replies, I am sorry Dave, you can't do that.

So true for some of us - !

 

[frogboy]

This should work. It does here. O&O ShutUp10: download free antispy tool for Windows 10

 

[TairikuOkami]

I just remove it. It break Start, search and maybe Settings, but I do not like potentially exploitable processes running.

rem Remove Cortana (SearchUI.exe)
takeown /f "%WinDir%\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy" /a /r /d y
icacls "%WinDir%\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy" /inheritance:r /grant:r Administrators:(OI)(CI)F /t /l /q /c
taskkill /im SearchUI.exe /f
rd "%WinDir%\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy" /s /q

rem Disable Cortana
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "AllowCortana" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "CortanaCapabilities" /t REG_SZ /d "" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "CortanaConsent" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "DeviceHistoryEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "IsAssignedAccess" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "IsWindowsHelloActive" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Experience\AllowCortana" /v "value" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\SearchCompanion" /v "DisableContentFileUpdates" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "AllowCloudSearch" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "AllowCortana" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "AllowCortanaAboveLock" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "AllowSearchToUseLocation" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "DisableWebSearch" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "DoNotUseWebResults" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "ConnectedSearchPrivacy" /t REG_DWORD /d "3" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "ConnectedSearchUseWeb" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "ConnectedSearchUseWebOverMeteredConnections" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f

rem 1 - Let Cortana respond to "Hey Cortana"
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Speech_OneCore\Preferences" /v "VoiceActivationOn" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f

rem 1- Let Cortana listen for my commands when I press Windows key + C
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "VoiceShortcut" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f

rem 1 - Use Cortana even when my device is locked
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Speech_OneCore\Preferences" /v "VoiceActivationEnableAboveLockscreen" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f

 

[FrFc1908]

Like the other great guys here stated before me : WPD - o&o shutup 10 and the registry hack should do the trick! for me atleast it does and I am on win10 home springupdate x64