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How to use Windows Cortana for voice assistance.

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How to Use Windows Cortana for Voice Assistance

Cortana, the virtual voice assistant developed by Microsoft, is integrated into the Windows operating system and can be a handy tool for getting things done quickly and efficiently. Whether you want to search the web, set reminders, send emails, or launch apps, Cortana can assist you with a simple voice command. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of using Cortana for voice assistance on your Windows device.

Prerequisites

  • A Windows device with Cortana installed (Cortana is available in select countries and regions, so make sure it is supported in your area)

Steps

1. Enable Cortana

  • To use Cortana, you first need to enable it on your Windows device. Here's how to do it:
    • Click on the Windows Start menu.
    • Search for "Cortana."
    • Click on "Cortana & Search settings" in the search results.
    • In the settings window, toggle the "Cortana can give you suggestions, ideas, reminders, alerts and more" option to the "On" position.
    • Follow the prompts to set up and customize Cortana according to your preferences.

2. Activate Cortana

  • Once Cortana is enabled, you can activate it using a voice command or a keyboard shortcut. Here are two ways to activate Cortana:
    • Voice Command
      • Press and hold the "Windows" key on your keyboard or say "Hey Cortana" out loud.
      • When Cortana responds with an audible tone or displays a listening animation, you can start giving voice commands.
    • Keyboard Shortcut
      • Press the "Windows" key + "C" on your keyboard to activate Cortana.
      • Once Cortana is activated, you'll see a Cortana window or a search box where you can enter voice commands.

3. Give Commands to Cortana

  • Now that Cortana is activated, you can start giving it voice commands to perform various actions. Here are a few examples:
    • Search the Web
      • Say something like, "Hey Cortana, search for healthy dinner recipes."
      • Cortana will use your default web browser to perform the search and display the results.
    • Set Reminders
      • Say something like, "Hey Cortana, remind me to call John tomorrow at 2 PM."
      • Cortana will create a reminder in the Windows Reminder app and notify you at the specified time.
    • Send Emails
      • Say something like, "Hey Cortana, send an email to Jane. Subject: Meeting, Message: Hi Jane, let's schedule a meeting for next week."
      • Cortana will open the default email client with the provided details pre-filled for you to review and send.
    • Launch Apps
      • Say something like, "Hey Cortana, open Microsoft Word."
      • Cortana will search your computer for the specified app and open it for you.

4. Customize Cortana

  • Cortana can be customized to better suit your needs and preferences. Here are a few customizations you can make:
    • Change Cortana's Name
      • By default, the wake word for activating Cortana is "Hey Cortana." If you prefer, you can change it to a different wake word or even use a wake phrase.
      • Click on the Cortana icon in the taskbar.
      • Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-left corner of the Cortana window.
      • Choose "Settings" from the menu options.
      • In the settings window, click on "Talk to Cortana."
      • Under the "Hey Cortana" section, click on the dropdown menu to choose a different wake word or use a wake phrase.
      • Follow the prompts to set up the new wake word or phrase.
    • Manage Cortana Permissions
      • You can control the permissions that Cortana has to access your information and provide personalized suggestions.
      • Click on the Cortana icon in the taskbar.
      • Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-left corner of the Cortana window.
      • Choose "Settings" from the menu options.
      • In the settings window, you can toggle specific permissions on or off according to your preferences.
    • Change Cortana Theme
      • Cortana's theme can be customized to match your preferred style.
      • Click on the Cortana icon in the taskbar.
      • Click on the gear icon in the bottom-left corner of the Cortana window to open settings.
      • Under the "Theme" section, click on the dropdown menu to choose a different theme.
      • Select your desired theme from the available options.

5. Deactivate Cortana

  • If you no longer wish to use Cortana, you can deactivate it. Here's how to do it:
    • Click on the Cortana icon in the taskbar.
    • Click on the gear icon in the bottom-left corner of the Cortana window to open settings.
    • Under the "Permissions & History" section, click on the "Manage the information Cortana can access from this device" link.
    • Toggle the "Cortana can give you suggestions, ideas, reminders, alerts and more" option to the "Off" position.

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to use Windows Cortana for voice assistance. Feel free to explore the various features and capabilities offered by Cortana to streamline your daily tasks and enhance your productivity.