Ever since Apple launched Siri in 2011, voice assistants have been all the fashion.
There’s nonetheless one thing magical about speaking to your telephone, pill or pc and getting a response inside seconds, whether or not it’s world occasions, the climate or just a joke.
However there’s one digital assistant that’s very simple to neglect about: Cortana. Microsoft’s try was the very best of the lot for some time, but it surely didn’t final. The top of Home windows Cellphone hit it arduous, and Microsoft has been eradicating it from Home windows and different software program ever since.
Can you utilize Cortana in Home windows 11?
Sadly not. In June 2023, Microsoft introduced that Cortana could be shut down as a standalone Home windows 10 and 11 app in the direction of the top of 2023.
That befell in August 2023, and also you’ll now get the message beneath if you attempt to launch it:
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Cortana had already disappeared from each the setup course of and the taskbar as Microsoft shifted its focus in the direction of AI and generative textual content engines.
Nevertheless, all shouldn’t be misplaced. Regardless of being discontinued, a lot of Cortana’s performance will stay.
Microsoft introduced that its voice-based performance will likely be taken over by different providers, and Cortana will stay on in a single particular a part of Microsoft’s software program ecosystem.
What’s changing Cortana in Home windows 11?
There are a number of providers that fulfil Cortana’s position in Home windows 11, but in addition take it to the subsequent stage.
Voice entry in Home windows 11
Home windows 11 already features a Voice entry characteristic, which lets you management your PC and enter textual content utilizing your voice.
Voice instructions can assist you turn between apps, browse the net, in addition to learn and write your emails. What’s extra, it really works offline, so that you don’t must depend on your Wi-Fi on a regular basis.
New AI-powered Bing search engine
The brand new AI-Bing, amongst different generative textual content engines, is the primary motive for Cortana’s downfall. It permits you to ask complicated questions and get concise solutions in a blink of an eye fixed. What’s extra, Bing can even offer you sources for its solutions, so it’s an awesome instrument for if you want a well-researched piece of knowledge so as to add to an article or a presentation.
Microsoft
Study extra in our separate information on methods to use Bing Chat.
Microsoft 365 Copilot
In Workplace 365 suite, Cortana is to get replaced by Microsoft 365 Copilot.
It’s a characteristic that makes use of AI to show your phrases and Microsoft 365 information right into a useful productiveness assistant. Your calendar, emails, chats, paperwork and extra can be utilized to create, share content material and far more, with the assistance of textual content technology provided by the AI.
Home windows Copilot
Home windows Copilot is a bit like Microsoft 365 Copilot, however on your personal Home windows expertise. It supplies centralised AI help to your OS, and may combine with each Bing Chat and third-party plugins.
It’s an AI assistant which may handle your productiveness wants and streamline your Home windows working expertise into a way more easy job.
Cortana stays in Outlook cell
Microsoft
For Cortana lovers, there may be some excellent news – it’s not completely gone. There’s yet another place which Cortana nonetheless calls dwelling: the Outlook cell app.
There, the venerable voice assistant can nonetheless provide help to learn by way of your emails and reply to them, in addition to plan your entire day. So, if you happen to assume you’ll miss Cortana, head over to your telephone’s Outlook app and say hello.