Uninstalling Cortana on Windows 11 isn’t as tricky as it might seem at first glance, but yeah, it can feel like hunting down a stubborn app that refuses to go quietly. If Cortana is running in the background and eating up resources, or you just don’t see the point of having it cluttering your taskbar, here’s how to get rid of it step-by-step, with some extra tips thrown in because of course Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
How to Uninstall Cortana on Windows 11
By following these steps, Cortana should be gone from your system, freeing up RAM and CPU cycles — and maybe even stopping that little icon blip in your taskbar. Just to mention, sometimes it’s not super straightforward, especially if updates or certain settings get in the way, but this method tends to work well enough once you’ve got the hang of it.
Step 1: Open the Start Menu
First, click the Windows icon in the lower-left corner or hit Windows key. This brings up the start menu — your gateway to basically everything in Windows.
Step 2: Access Settings
Click the gear icon to open Settings. From here, you can tweak all sorts of stuff — including the sneaky apps you want to get rid of.
Step 3: Navigate to Apps
Inside Settings, find and click on Apps. This page shows all installed applications. It’s basically 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 machines, it’s listed alphabetically, but due to the way Windows regionalizes, sometimes it’s not right upfront — so search helps.
Step 5: Uninstall Cortana
Click on Cortana, then hit Uninstall. A confirmation might pop up; just follow through. If the button isn’t active, it might be because of Windows’ restrictions on removing system apps, which leads us to another approach below.
Note: On certain setups, you might need to employ PowerShell to fully remove or disable Cortana. If that’s your case, here’s what to do:
Get-AppxPackage -Name Microsoft.549981C3F5F10 | Remove-AppxPackageThis command in PowerShell (run as administrator) will remove Cortana more thoroughly. Just be aware: it’s kinda risky if you’re not used to command-line stuff, and updates might reinstall it or change your system, so proceed with caution and consider creating a system restore point first.
On some setups, 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, always create a system restore point before messing with system apps or PowerShell commands — Windows can be weird, sometimes it blocks things or reverts changes after updates.
- Make sure your system is fully up-to-date — that can prevent some hiccups during the process, especially with newer Windows builds.
- If uninstalling doesn’t work or Cortana keeps coming back, check your Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) or tweak privacy settings to disable it instead.
- For a less permanent route, just disable Cortana instead of removing it, which involves less risk and is easier to undo.
- Backup your important data, because messing with system apps always carries some risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reinstall Cortana after uninstalling it?
Yup, once uninstalled, you can grab Cortana again from the Microsoft Store. Just do a quick search in the store, install, and set it up if needed.
Does uninstalling Cortana affect other Windows features?
It shouldn’t mess with core Windows stuff, but some search features might not be quite as smooth since Cortana handles some of that behind the scenes. On some updates, Windows just re-enables it after a reboot or update, so keep that in mind.
Is it safe to use third-party software to remove Cortana?
Eh, it’s best to avoid those, especially since they can be sketchy — you don’t want to accidentally break something or introduce 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, and removing it can free a little CPU and RAM, especially on older machines. Not a huge difference, but every bit helps if your PC was already sluggish.
How can I disable Cortana instead of uninstalling?
Disable it via Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to Startup tab, and disable Cortana. Another way is through Privacy settings — set toggles for Cortana to off, which keeps the app installed but out of your hair.
Summary
- Open the Start menu & go to Settings.
- Navigate to Apps & find Cortana.
- Uninstall or disable Cortana.
- Consider making a restore point before messing around.
And yeah, that’s about it. Sometimes it’s weird how Windows handles apps like Cortana — one update it’s there, next time it’s gone. But these steps should at least give control back. Fingers crossed this helps someone, because on one setup it worked the first time, on another, it took a few tries or a PowerShell run. Not always perfect, but better than leaving the digital assistant hogging resources.