12. Using Cortana
In this chapter, you learn how to use Cortana, Microsoft’s personal productivity assistant.
Cortana is an interesting component of Windows.
In previous versions of Windows, Cortana was fully integrated into the Windows operating system. You could search Cortana from the Windows search box and it functioned like an intelligent virtual assistant, kind of like Alexa or Siri or Google Assistant.
With the Windows 10 2004 (20H1) update, that’s all changed. Microsoft has decided not to compete with Amazon and Apple and Google in the virtual assistant space and separated Cortana out from Windows into its own freestanding app. Now Microsoft calls Cortana a “workplace personal assistant,” and it’s lost some of its old functionality in the process. Cortana’s new focus is on helping you be more productive, especially with Microsoft’s productivity apps.
Querying Cortana
The new version of Cortana can be operated via traditional keyboard commands or via voice commands.
Query via Keyboard
You launch Cortana from the Windows Start menu. The Cortana window features an information area at the top and a search box (“Ask Cortana”) at the bottom.
Open the Cortana app and type your query into the Ask Cortana search box.
Click the Enter (arrow) icon or press Enter on your computer keyboard.
The answer to your query appears in the information area. For some queries, you can click the answer to view more information.
Query via Voice Command
If your computer has a built-in microphone (most laptops and 2-in-1s do), you can query Cortana via voice commands.
From within the Cortana app, click the Speak to Cortana (microphone) button.
Wait until Cortana beeps and displays the “listening” graphic and then speak your query into the computer’s microphone. As you speak, your query appears in the information area.
The answer to your query appears in the information area, and Cortana speaks the answer.
Working with Cortana
Cortana can help you find all sorts of information and become more productive with many of your Windows apps.
Find Information
You can use Cortana to search for all sorts of information on the Web. When you make a query, Cortana displays results from the Bing search engine.
What sorts of things can you ask Cortana? Here’s a short list:
Find out the current and upcoming weather by asking “What’s the weather forecast?”
Have Cortana display the latest news headlines by asking “What are the latest headlines?”
Find a sports score by asking something like “What was the score of Super Bowl LIII?”
Perform simple calculations by asking something like “What is 4 plus 5?” or “What is 27 divided by 3?”
Perform conversions by asking something like “What is ten miles in kilometers?” or “How many ounces in a pound?”
Define a word by asking “What is the definition of <word>?”
Translate a word or phrase into another language by asking “How do you say <word or phrase> in <language>?”
Search for any information by asking a question—for example, how many people live in California? how old is Oprah Winfrey? when is the next full moon?
And there’s a lot more than that. When in doubt, just enter your query and see what happens. You never know what Cortana knows!
Be More Productive
Cortana is specifically positioned as a personal productivity assistant. To that end, it’s integrated with several key productivity apps.
Here are some of the ways Cortana can help you with your app productivity:
Open an app or software program by asking “Launch <program name>.”
Write an email message by typing “Write an email to <contact name>.” Cortana displays a form in the information window; enter the subject and message text, and then click Send.
See new emails from a person in your contact list by typing “Show me emails from <contact name>.”
Find out about scheduled events in your calendar by asking “What’s on my schedule for next week?” or “When is my doctor appointment?”
Add an appointment to your calendar by typing “Add event.” Cortana displays a form in the information window; enter information about the appointment and click Add.
Set up a reminder by saying something like “Remind me to pick up milk.” When prompted, enter when you want to be reminded.
Set an alarm by saying “Set an alarm for <time>.”
