How to Uninstall Cortana Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Cortana was once Microsoft’s proud digital assistant — designed to help you with reminders, searches, and tasks. But in Windows 11, many users find it unnecessary or prefer not to have it running in the background. Whether you want to speed up your PC, declutter your Start menu, or just stop Cortana from starting automatically, you’re in the right place.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to uninstall Cortana in Windows 11 safely — step by step. We’ll cover why you might want to remove it, different methods to do it, and what to expect after uninstalling.

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🧭 Summary: Key Takeaways

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Table of Contents

1. What Is Cortana in Windows 11?

2. Why Uninstall or Disable Cortana?

3. Is It Safe to Remove Cortana?

4. How to Uninstall Cortana in Windows 11 (All Methods)

   • Using Windows Settings

   • Using PowerShell

   • Using Command Prompt

   • Using Task Manager to Stop Cortana

5. How to Disable Cortana Without Uninstalling

6. How to Reinstall Cortana (If You Change Your Mind)

7. What Happens After Uninstalling Cortana?

8. How to Improve Performance After Removing Cortana

9. Common Issues and Fixes

10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

11. Final Thoughts and Recommendations

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🧩 1. What Is Cortana in Windows 11?

Cortana is Microsoft’s built-in AI-powered virtual assistant that helps users perform tasks using voice or text commands — such as setting reminders, searching the web, or managing the calendar.

However, with the rise of newer AI integrations like Copilot and Windows Search, Cortana’s role has been largely reduced in Windows 11. Many users see it as unnecessary background software that consumes resources.

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💡 2. Why Uninstall or Disable Cortana in Windows 11?

Before removing any system app, it’s smart to know why you’re doing it. Here are some solid reasons to uninstall Cortana:

✅ Better System Performance

Cortana runs background processes that consume RAM and CPU. Disabling or uninstalling it can free up resources for other tasks.

✅ Cleaner Interface

If you prefer a minimalist look, removing Cortana declutters your Start menu and background apps.

✅ Privacy Concerns

Cortana collects voice and search data to personalize your experience. Some users prefer to disable it to enhance privacy.

✅ You Don’t Use It

If you never use voice commands or don’t rely on digital assistants, it’s safe to uninstall it.

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⚠️ 3. Is It Safe to Remove Cortana?

Yes — uninstalling Cortana is completely safe on Windows 11. Unlike older versions of Windows 10, Cortana is now a standalone app that doesn’t affect system stability or other features.

That said, removing Cortana means you’ll lose voice commands or AI-assisted reminders, but most users won’t notice any impact on daily usage.

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🧰 4. How to Uninstall Cortana in Windows 11 (Step-by-Step Guide)

There are several ways to remove Cortana, depending on your comfort level. Let’s go through them all, starting from the easiest.

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🪟 Method 1: Uninstall Cortana via Windows Settings

This is the most beginner-friendly way to uninstall Cortana from Windows 11.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

2. Click on Apps from the sidebar.

3. Select Installed Apps.

4. Scroll down and locate Cortana in the list.

5. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) next to Cortana.

6. Choose Uninstall.

7. Confirm by clicking Uninstall again when prompted.

✅ That’s it! Cortana will be removed from your Windows 11 system.

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💻 Method 2: Uninstall Cortana Using PowerShell

For users who prefer a more advanced approach, PowerShell offers a precise and quick method.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + S, type PowerShell, then right-click and choose Run as Administrator.

2. Copy and paste the following command:

   Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.549981C3F5F10* | Remove-AppxPackage


3. Press Enter to execute the command.

4. Wait for the process to finish — this removes Cortana completely from your user account.

🧩 Pro Tip:
To remove Cortana for all users, run:

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⚙️ Method 3: Uninstall Cortana Using Command Prompt

If you’re comfortable with Command Prompt, you can also use it to remove Cortana.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + X and select Terminal (Admin).

2. In the Command Prompt tab, paste the following command:

   PowerShell -Command "Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.549981C3F5F10* | Remove-AppxPackage"


3. Press Enter and wait for the uninstallation to complete.

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🚫 Method 4: Stop Cortana from Running Using Task Manager

If you don’t want to uninstall Cortana but want to stop it from auto-starting:

Steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

2. Go to the Startup apps tab.

3. Find Cortana in the list.

4. Right-click it and choose Disable.

Now Cortana won’t launch automatically at startup.

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🔕 5. How to Disable Cortana Without Uninstalling It

If you’re unsure about completely removing Cortana, you can disable it instead. This prevents it from running or listening in the background.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + I → Apps → Installed Apps.

2. Select Cortana → Advanced Options.

3. Under Runs at log-in, toggle Off.

You can also disable microphone access to Cortana:

• Go to Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone.

• Turn off Cortana’s access.

✅ This method keeps the app installed but fully inactive.

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🔄 6. How to Reinstall Cortana (If You Change Your Mind)

Miss Cortana after removing it? No problem — you can easily reinstall it.

Steps:

1. Open the Microsoft Store.

2. Search for Cortana.

3. Click Install.

4. Once installed, you can sign in and start using it again.

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🔍 7. What Happens After Uninstalling Cortana?

Here’s what you can expect once you remove Cortana:

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⚡ 8. How to Improve Performance After Removing Cortana

Uninstalling Cortana is a great start — but here are a few more tips to make Windows 11 run even faster:

• Disable startup apps: Settings → Apps → Startup

• Run Disk Cleanup: Search “Disk Cleanup” and remove temp files

• Turn off visual effects: Settings → System → About → Advanced System Settings → Performance

• Use Storage Sense: Automate cleanup of unused files

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🧱 9. Common Issues and Fixes

Here are some common issues you might face while removing Cortana — and how to fix them.

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🧠 10. FAQs About Uninstalling Cortana in Windows 11

1. Can I reinstall Cortana later if I uninstall it?

Yes. Simply visit the Microsoft Store, search for Cortana, and click Install to restore it.

2. Does uninstalling Cortana affect Windows Search?

No. Cortana and Windows Search are now separate. You can still use the search bar normally.

3. Will uninstalling Cortana improve my computer’s speed?

In many cases, yes. Removing Cortana can reduce background resource usage and improve responsiveness.

4. Is it safe to remove Cortana using PowerShell?

Absolutely. PowerShell is an official Windows tool, and removing Cortana this way won’t harm your system.

5. What’s the difference between disabling and uninstalling Cortana?

Disabling stops it from running, while uninstalling removes it entirely from your PC.

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🏁 11. Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Cortana was a promising feature once, but in Windows 11, it’s largely obsolete — especially with newer AI assistants like Copilot taking over.

By following this step-by-step guide to uninstall Cortana in Windows 11, you can enjoy:

• Better privacy

• Faster performance

• A cleaner, more efficient Windows environment

If you ever miss it, you can easily reinstall it through the Microsoft Store — no harm done.

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🔍 Quick Recap: How to Uninstall Cortana on Windows 11

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💬 Have You Removed Cortana Yet?

What’s your reason for uninstalling it — performance, privacy, or preference? Let us know in the comments below!