Removing Cortana on Windows 11 isn’t as tricky as it might seem at first, but yeah, it can feel like trying to chase down a stubborn browser extension that refuses to quit. If Cortana’s running in the background eating up your RAM and CPU, or you just reckon it’s cluttering your taskbar for no reason, here’s how to get rid of it step-by-step — plus some extra tips, because Windows often makes things a bit more complicated than they need to be.
How to Uninstall Cortana on Windows 11
Follow these steps, and Cortana should be out of your hair, freeing up some system resources — and maybe stopping that little icon from blinking in your taskbar. Just a heads up, occasionally it’s not straightforward, especially if there’s a Windows update or certain settings blocking you, but this method generally does the trick once you get the hang of it.
Step 1: Open the Start Menu
First, click the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner or press Windows key. This brings up the Start menu — your gateway to pretty much everything in Windows.
Step 2: Hit Settings
Click the gear icon to open Settings. From here, you can tweak all sorts of bits and bobs — including the sneaky apps you want to ditch.
Step 3: Go to Apps
Within Settings, find and click on Apps. This page shows all your installed apps. It’s where you go to delete what you no longer need or want.
Step 4: Find Cortana
Scroll through the list or use the search box to find Cortana. On some PCs, it’s listed alphabetically, but because Windows regionalises things differently, it might not be right at the top — so searching helps.
Step 5: Uninstall Cortana
Click on Cortana, then hit Uninstall. A confirmation box might pop up; just follow through. If the button’s greyed out or inactive, Windows might be blocking the removal of system apps — so you’ll need to try another way below.
Just a heads up: on certain setups, you might need to use PowerShell to fully remove or disable Cortana. If that’s the case, here’s what to do:
Get-AppxPackage -Name Microsoft.549981C3F5F10 | Remove-AppxPackageThis command runs in PowerShell (opened with admin rights) and will more thoroughly remove Cortana. Be careful, though — if you’re not used to command lines, it can be a bit risky, and Windows updates might reinstall it or change things around. It’s a good idea to set a system restore point first, just in case.
After uninstalling, restarting or logging out and back in might be needed to fully disable Cortana from running.
Tips for Uninstalling Cortana on Windows 11
- Always make a system restore point before tinkering with system apps or PowerShell commands. Windows can be a bit flaky, and updates might revert changes or block your efforts.
- Keep your system fully up-to-date — this can help prevent hiccups during the process, especially with new Windows builds.
- If uninstalling doesn’t do the trick or Cortana keeps coming back, check your Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) or tweak your privacy settings to disable it instead.
- For a less permanent fix, you can disable Cortana instead of uninstalling it. That usually involves less risk and is easier to undo later.
- Back up your important data first — messing with system apps always carries some risk, after all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reinstall Cortana after uninstalling it?
Yep, once you’ve removed it, you can grab Cortana again from the Microsoft Store. Just search for it in the store, install, and set it up if needed.
Does uninstalling Cortana mess with other Windows features?
It shouldn’t affect the core Windows stuff, but some search functions might not run quite as smoothly since Cortana handles some of that in the background. Also, on some updates, Windows might re-enable Cortana after a reboot — so keep that in mind.
Is it safe to use third-party software to remove Cortana?
Best to steer clear of those, actually — they can be dodgy, and you risk breaking things or exposing your system to malware. Stick with the built-in tools or PowerShell commands unless you’re pretty comfortable with the risks.
Will uninstalling Cortana speed up my PC?
Most likely, yeah. Cortana runs in the background, so removing it can free up some CPU and RAM — handy, especially on older machines. Not a massive difference, but every bit helps if your PC’s a bit sluggish.
How can I disable Cortana instead of uninstalling?
Disable it through Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), heading to the Startup tab, and disabling Cortana. Or flick the toggles off in Privacy settings — that keeps the app installed but out of your way.
Summary
- Open the Start menu and go to Settings.
- Navigate to Apps & find Cortana.
- Uninstall or disable Cortana.
- Make a restore point before tinkering, just in case.
And that’s pretty much all there is to it. Sometimes Windows acts a bit funny with apps like Cortana — one update it’s there, the next it’s gone. But these steps should help you take back some control. Hope this helps someone out — on one PC it worked first go, on another, I had to try a few times or run PowerShell. Not always perfect, but better than having a digital assistant hogging your resources, hey?