What is Cortana? Cortana is a virtual assistant by Microsoft which provides to make easy use of Windows 10, but if it does not perform well then it is of no use. Here are simple steps to remove Cortana search bar from Windows 10 Home, Pro, and Enterprise edition.
How to Remove Cortana from Taskbar
To remove Cortana from taskbar Right Click on the taskbar, Go to Show Cortana Button, Now Untick it to remove it from the taskbar. This will remove the Cortana button. You can also disable Cortana Search Bar by following same procedure. Click on Hidden. See below image-
How to get rid of Cortana via Group Policy Editor
Those who have Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Enterprise edition can disable Cortana by using little modification in Group Policy Editor. It is safe and easy to use. Check which edition and latest version of Windows 10 are you using.
Press the Windows logo key + R to invoke the Run box or type Run in search box.
Type gpedit.msc and click OK.
Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search.
Find Allow Cortana, and double-click to open it.
Click Disabled, and then hit OK.
Disable Cortana Windows 10 Registry
If you are using Windows 10 Home Edition then you can use Windows Registry Editor to remove Cortana from your computer.
Hit the Start Key, search for regedit and open it.
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Policies > Microsoft > Windows.
Right-click the Windows directory, and choose New > Key. Name it Windows Search, and hit enter.
Right-click Windows Search, and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it AllowCortana.
Double click on Allow Cortana and set the value to 0.
Restart your computer.
In case if you want to reenable Cortana Back
How to Enable Cortana in Windows through Group Policy Editor
Press the Windows logo key + R to invoke the Run box or type Run in search box
Type gpedit.msc and click OK.
Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search.
Find Allow Cortana, and double-click to open it.
Click Enabled, and then hit OK.
How to Re-Enable Cortana Windows Registry
Hit the Start Key, search for regedit and open it.
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Policies > Microsoft > Windows.
Right-click the Windows directory, and choose New > Key. Type in Windows Search, and hit enter.
Right-click Windows Search, and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it AllowCortana.
Delete the Allow Cortana that you created.
Restart your computer.
Note: Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise user can use both either Windows Registry or Group Policy Editor to disable Cortana. Before disabling Cortana in your computer or performing any changes, please create a system restore point.
