Windows 11 All-in-One For Dummies

Chapter 6

Calling on Cortana

IN THIS CHAPTER

Understanding the Cortana backstory

Setting up Cortana

Using Cortana as your virtual assistant

Configuring Cortana

Learning commands for Cortana

Initially launched on Windows Phone, back in 2014, Cortana is Microsoft’s digital-assistant answer to Apple’s Siri and Google's Assistant. In 2015, Cortana became available on Windows 10 and Android. Because Cortana is playing catch-up with the big guys, it hasn’t helped with its adoption. Microsoft removed the Cortana app from many markets and it is now a stand-alone app for Windows. While the app still works well, Microsoft won’t improve it as much as they tried in the past, and most people will continue to ignore it.

Although Cortana is not as advanced as the Google Assistant on your Android smartphone, it's worth getting to know the app. So in this chapter, I tell you all about Cortana: its backstory (it’s quite cool), how to set it up, and how to use it as a virtual assistant. You also learn ...