How to Completely Remove Cortana from Windows 11

Cortana was Microsoft’s voice assistant designed to compete with Siri and Alexa, but it has now been officially discontinued. Despite this, it still appears on many Windows 11 systems, consuming background resources and occasionally launching on startup. Here’s how to fully remove or disable Cortana from Windows 11 step by step.

Method 1: Uninstall Cortana from Settings

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Apps > Installed Apps.
3. In the search bar, type Cortana.
4. When Cortana appears in the list, click the three-dot menu beside it.
5. Select Uninstall and confirm your choice.
6. Wait for the process to finish, then restart your computer to apply the changes.

Method 2: Remove Cortana Using PowerShell

This method ensures that Cortana is completely removed for all users.

1. Press Start, type PowerShell, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
2. Type the following command to uninstall Cortana for the current user: Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.549981C3F5F10* | Remove-AppxPackage
3. To remove it for all users, run this command: Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *Microsoft.549981C3F5F10* | Remove-AppxPackage
4. Once completed, close PowerShell and restart your PC.

Method 3: Disable Cortana from Loading on Startup

Even after removal, Cortana might still attempt to run background tasks.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Select the Startup Apps tab.
3. Find Cortana in the list.
4. Right-click and choose Disable.
5. This ensures Cortana will no longer launch automatically at system startup.

Method 4: Turn Off Cortana Background Permissions

If Cortana still appears in your background apps, disable its permissions.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Privacy & Security > App Permissions > Background Apps.
3. Find Cortana and toggle it Off.
4. This prevents Cortana from running background tasks or consuming system resources.

Method 5: Disable Cortana via Registry Editor

For users who prefer total control, disabling Cortana through the registry ensures it cannot be reactivated.

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search
3. If Windows Search doesn’t exist, right-click Windows, select New > Key, and name it Windows Search.
4. In the right pane, right-click, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it AllowCortana.
5. Set the value of AllowCortana to 0.
6. Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Method 6: Disable Cortana Using Group Policy Editor (Pro and Enterprise Users)

1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to:
   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search
3. Double-click Allow Cortana.
4. Choose Disabled, then click Apply and OK.
5. Restart your PC to finalize the policy change.

Method 7: Remove Cortana from Taskbar and System Search

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and choose Taskbar Settings.
2. Scroll down and turn off Cortana or Search highlights if visible.
3. Open the Search bar, click the three dots (···) menu, and choose Search Settings.
4. Disable any Cortana-related suggestions or integration options.

Method 8: Delete Cortana Leftover Files and Folders

1. Open File Explorer and go to: C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Packages
2. Find the folder named Microsoft.549981C3F5F10.
3. Right-click it and choose Delete.
4. Empty your Recycle Bin to free up space.

Method 9: Block Cortana from Reinstalling via Windows Update

Windows updates may reinstall deprecated apps like Cortana.

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Scroll to Windows Update and set it to Manual if you prefer to control updates manually.
3. Alternatively, use O&O ShutUp10++ or Windows Debloater to block Cortana reinstall packages.

Method 10: Use a Debloater Tool to Automate Cortana Removal

If you want an easier way to remove Cortana and other unused Windows apps:

• Download O&O AppBuster, Windows10Debloater, or Revo Uninstaller.
• Run the program as Administrator.
• Select Cortana and click Remove App or Uninstall.
• Restart your computer after the cleanup is complete.

By following these methods, you can completely remove Cortana from Windows 11, stop it from loading on startup, and prevent it from returning in future updates, resulting in a cleaner and faster system.