Setting Up Cortana on Windows 10

How to Set Up Cortana on Windows 10


To ensure that you can use Cortana to perform voice searches and queries, the language settings on your Windows 10 computer have to be set up correctly. To do this:

1. Open the Settings app and click on the Time & language button

2. Click on the Region & language button


Don't forget:

The county or region, display language, and speech-language should be the same in order for Cortana to work.


4. Click on the required display language and click on the Set as default button


Hot tip:

If the Cortana Search box is not displayed once the languages have been set, restart your computer to apply the changes.


5. Click on the Speech button under Time & language

6. Select the same Speech-language as the one used as the display language in Step 4


Using Cortana


Once the correct languages have been selected for Cortana, you have to ensure that your computer's microphone is working properly since it will be used for voice queries with Cortana.

Setting up the microphone 

To set up your computer's microphone:

1. Open the Settings app and click on the Time & language button

2. Click on the Speech button

3. Under the Microphone section, click on the Get started button

4. In the microphone wizard, click on the Next button


Beware:

Most modern laptop computers have built-in microphones, but an external one may need to be attached to a desktop computer.


5. Repeat the phrase in the wizard window to complete setting up your microphone. (If the setup is successful, the wizard will move to the completion page automatically)


Beware:

It can take Cortana a bit of time to fully recognize your voice and style of speech. Make sure that there is no loud background noise when you are using Cortana.


6. Click on the Finish button

👉Read also: Windows 10 Search bar Anything from Anywhere


Searching with Cortana

As with text searches, Cortana can be used to search over various places and for different items:

  • Click on the microphone button in the Search box to begin a voice search

  • The Cortana symbol is displayed in the Search window with the word Listening... in the Search box. Say what you want to find

Hot tip:

In the Anniversary Update, Cortana can be used directly from the Lock screen, to ask general queries, such as 'What is the weather in my area?' or to play a song from the Groove Music app.


  • If Cortana cannot understand what you said, you are asked to try again

  • Cortana can be used to open specific apps, e.g. by saying Open Mail

  • If the query is general, e.g. Open Microsoft, various options will be displayed

  • For a specific request, e.g. Open Microsoft Edge, the required app will be opened


Cortana Settings

Settings for Cortana can be accessed from the Search window:

1. Click on the Settings button on the sidebar

2. Apply the Cortana Settings as required, including an option for Cortana to provide its own suggestions, and also setting Cortana to respond to saying Hey Cortana from any screen or app


Hot tip:

The Notebook within Cortana can also be used to specify settings for a range of topics that are monitored by Cortana. These include items such as Eat & Drink, Events, Finance, News, Sports, and Travel. If the options are turned On you will automatically receive notifications and recommendations for these subjects.


3. Scroll up the Settings window to access more options


Setting Reminders

The Cortana Search box can also be used to set reminders that appear when required. To do this:

  • Click in the Search box and click on this button on the side toolbar


Hot tip:

If the Person or Place option is selected for a reminder, a specific person can be selected from your contacts in the People app or a geographic location. These can also be used in conjunction with a specific time.


  • Click on the Reminders button

  • Click on this button to add a new reminder +

  • Click in the Remember to... text box to add the item for which you want the reminder

  • Enter the reminder item details

  • Click in the Time text box to set a time for the reminder

  • Select a time for the reminder by clicking on the required item. Click on the Another time... button to set a custom time for the reminder

  • Enter any other criteria for the reminder and click on the Remind button

  • The details of the reminder are confirmed


Don't forget:

To view completed reminders, click on the menu button at the bottom of the reminders window and click on the History button. ...


  • When it is time for the reminder, it pops up from the Notifications area on the Taskbar and also appears in the Cortana window