cortana

Cortana App for Windows to be Discontinued in Late 2023

Microsoft has officially declared the forthcoming discontinuation of support for the standalone Cortana app on Windows, as indicated in a recent support document discovered by Windows Central. The tech giant’s decision highlights a shift in focus towards its new AI-powered productivity tool, Windows Copilot. Originally introduced in 2014 as a voice assistant for Windows mobile devices, Cortana aimed to rival Apple’s Siri and predated Amazon’s Alexa, but failed to attain comparable recognition and popularity.

Over time, Microsoft gradually scaled back its plans for Cortana, leading to the discontinuation of its Android and iOS apps in 2021. The company also removed Cortana from third-party devices such as smart speakers. For Windows, Cortana transitioned from being an integrated digital assistant to an independent app for computers, which will be bid farewell by the end of this year.

Microsoft’s announcement emphasizes that users will still have access to robust productivity features within Windows and Edge, offering increased AI capabilities. Notably, it highlights the integration of OpenAI’s GPT-4 technology into Bing, enhancing search functionality. Additionally, Microsoft introduced the Microsoft 365 Copilot tool, leveraging text-based prompts to generate content within Office apps in March.

Furthermore, during the recent Build developer conference in late May, Microsoft unveiled its plans to deeply integrate AI into Windows 11 by introducing a Copilot tool in the platform’s sidebar. This AI-powered tool allows users to perform various tasks within the operating system, such as modifying computer backgrounds, editing photos, and summarizing documents, without launching specific applications or searching for particular settings. With the advent of Copilot, it is expected that Cortana’s absence will have minimal impact, as users transition to the new and advanced AI-powered tool.

As part of Microsoft’s commitment to innovation and user experience, Copilot will be available as a preview version for Windows 11 starting this month. Users who previously relied on Cortana can seamlessly adopt Copilot’s features, enabling increased productivity and efficient navigation within the Windows ecosystem.

Microsoft’s strategic decision to discontinue support for the Cortana app underscores its dedication to refining and enhancing AI capabilities within Windows. With Copilot’s integration into the Windows platform, users can expect an optimized AI-driven experience that simplifies and streamlines tasks, opening new avenues for productivity and efficiency.