What is Microsoft Cortana?

Microsoft’s Cortana was a virtual assistant designed to help users navigate Windows and manage everyday tasks using voice commands and natural language. Introduced as a built-in assistant for millions of Windows users, Cortana made it easier to search the web, set reminders, organize schedules, and interact with the operating system hands-free. 

While it is still available on Windows 10 and some older versions of Windows 11, its role as a core digital assistant has effectively come to an end.

Microsoft officially retired the standalone Cortana app in 2023, shifting its focus to Copilot, the next-generation AI assistant built into Windows 11 and Microsoft 365. Many of Cortana’s original features no longer function as they once did, reflecting a broader move toward more advanced, productivity-focused AI tools. In this article, we will explore what Cortana is, its key features, and how it has influenced the evolution of virtual assistants at Microsoft.

What is Cortana?

Cortana was a virtual assistant created by Microsoft, first introduced in 2014 for Windows 8.1 and later built into Windows 10. It was designed to help users manage tasks, answer questions, and stay organized using voice and text commands, utilizing natural language processing and machine learning.

The assistant’s name and persona were inspired by the AI character Cortana from Microsoft’s Halo video game series. 

Cortana relied on the Bing search engine to provide answers and was tightly integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem, making it a handy tool for Windows users.

What is Cortana used for?

Even though it is no longer supported on the latest Windows versions, Cortana is still available on some older versions, where basic features of Cortana can still be used.

• Voice command functionality: Cortana allows users to control their device and perform various tasks using spoken commands, such as opening apps, searching the web, or checking the weather.

• Personalized assistant: It learns from your habits and preferences to provide tailored suggestions, reminders, and alerts that suit your daily routines.

• Integration with Microsoft applications and services: Cortana works seamlessly with apps like Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive, keeping information synchronized and helping streamline workflows.

• Task management and schedule organization: Users can set reminders, manage calendars, create to-do lists, and track deadlines efficiently through Cortana.

• Entertainment features: Cortana can play music, provide news updates, answer trivia questions, and offer other interactive content.

• Device- and location-based capabilities: It can deliver location-specific reminders, assist with navigation, and manage device settings based on your location

• Internet and web-related features: Using Bing, Cortana can quickly provide search results, answer questions, and deliver relevant online content.

• Email functions: Cortana can help draft, send, and organize emails, making communication faster and more convenient.

• Notebook and skills: The assistant maintains a notebook to track user preferences, routines, and interests, and it supports additional skills to create a more personalized experience.

How did Cortana work across devices?

Cortana was designed to function as a cross-platform personal assistant, giving users hands-free help on many different devices. Its integration varied by platform, but the goal remained the same: provide quick answers, reminders, and relevant information wherever you were.

Windows

• Built into Windows 10

• Activated via the search bar or Cortana icon

• Managed PC tasks, reminders, calendar events, and search queries

Android & iOS

• Available through the Cortana mobile app (later discontinued)

• Synced notifications, reminders, and Microsoft account data

• Supported voice commands and basic assistant features

Xbox

• Enabled voice controls for navigation, search, and system commands

• Integrated with gaming features, updates, and notifications

Smart Speakers

• Worked with Harman Kardon Invoke and select smart home devices

• Used speech recognition and advanced algorithms for hands-free tasks

Why was Cortana discontinued? 

Microsoft officially retired the standalone Cortana app in Windows in the spring of 2023, followed by its gradual removal from other platforms, including Microsoft Teams and Outlook mobile, throughout 2023 and 2024. The main reason for this decision was a strategic shift in Microsoft’s approach to artificial intelligence.

Rather than competing directly with consumer-focused virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, Microsoft chose to focus on a new generation of AI-powered productivity tools. The company prioritized integrating advanced AI capabilities directly into its core products, which led to the creation and launch of Microsoft Copilot. 

This transition marked the end of Cortana’s role as a standalone assistant and the beginning of a more productivity-focused AI strategy.

Microsoft Copilot: A replacement for Cortana 

Microsoft Copilot is the next-generation AI assistant that has effectively replaced Cortana. While Cortana was primarily a voice-activated assistant for basic tasks, Copilot is a powerful productivity tool that utilizes advanced AI to handle more complex functions.

Copilot is fully integrated into Windows 11, Microsoft 365 apps (such as Word, Excel, and Teams), and the Bing search engine, allowing it to:

• Provide concise, sourced answers to complex questions from the web.

• Create and edit content, including drafting emails, summarizing documents, and generating text.

• Use your calendar, emails, and documents to offer contextual, personalized assistance.

• Automate and streamline workflows across multiple applications.

In addition to Copilot, Microsoft has introduced Voice Access in Windows 11, which lets users control their PC and input text entirely by voice. This feature covers many of the accessibility and hands-free capabilities that Cortana once offered, ensuring that voice-driven productivity remains a key part of the Windows experience.

Conclusion

Cortana marked an important step forward for Microsoft, introducing users to the convenience of a built-in virtual assistant. It simplified everyday tasks, helped manage schedules, and offered an early vision of how AI could enhance human-computer interaction.

Even though Cortana has been retired, its influence continues through Microsoft Copilot, which delivers a more powerful and integrated AI experience. The transition from Cortana to Copilot reflects both the rapid advancement of AI technology and Microsoft’s commitment to creating tools that elevate productivity for today’s users.