Microsoft has made the decision to terminate support for Cortana in Windows. According to a support page over at Windows Central, the company has announced that it will no longer provide assistance for Cortana as a standalone application starting later this year.
The discontinuation of Cortana on Windows shouldn’t come as a major surprise. In May, during its Build conference, Microsoft introduced its latest innovation, the Windows Copilot tool. This AI-powered tool will reside in your taskbar and perform all the tasks that Cortana currently handles, and even more. These tasks include summarizing content, rewriting text, answering questions, and adjusting computer settings, among other things.
Cortana was initially introduced to Windows 10 back in 2015, offering users the convenience of setting reminders, launching applications, and interacting with voice commands. However, over the years, Microsoft has gradually been reducing Cortana’s prominence within the Windows experience. With the release of Windows 11, the digital assistant lost its prominent position on the taskbar and was no longer a part of the first boot experience. Furthermore, Microsoft discontinued the Cortana app on iOS and Android in 2020 and withdrew support for Cortana in devices such as Surface headphones.
While the exact date of Cortana’s removal from Windows is not yet clear, one thing is certain: Microsoft is prioritizing its expanding suite of AI tools, which also includes the Bing chatbot and Microsoft 365 Copilot. These tools are now taking precedence over Cortana. Nevertheless, Microsoft has assured users that Cortana will continue to be available in other platforms such as Outlook mobile, Microsoft Teams mobile, Teams display, and Teams rooms, but it remains uncertain for how long this support will continue.
In conclusion, Cortana’s era on Windows is coming to an end, but Microsoft’s commitment to leveraging AI in various products and services is growing stronger. As technology evolves, the company is constantly exploring new ways to enhance user experiences and productivity, ensuring that users have access to cutting-edge solutions in the world of AI.