Microsoft has officially removed Cortana from Windows 11 as part of its ongoing efforts to deprecate the digital assistant. This move follows Microsoft’s announcement in June that Cortana would be discontinued later in 2023. Here are the key details:
- Cortana Deprecation: Microsoft began the process of deprecating Cortana earlier this year and has now fully removed support for the digital assistant in Windows 11.
- User Notifications: When users attempt to access Cortana in Windows 11, they will receive a notification informing them that Cortana is no longer available. This notification also includes a link to a support page with more information.
- Rollout: The removal of Cortana is now being rolled out to all Windows 11 users, and access to the digital assistant will no longer be possible.
- End of Cortana in Microsoft Teams: Cortana will also be discontinued in Microsoft Teams later this year, aligning with Microsoft’s efforts to focus on Windows Copilot as its primary desktop assistant.
- Outlook Mobile Exception: Cortana will remain available in Outlook mobile until the end of 2023, making it an exception to the discontinuation.
- Windows Copilot: Microsoft is introducing Windows Copilot as a more ambitious AI assistant for Windows 11. It will be integrated into a side panel and offer advanced customization options and settings management.
- Windows Copilot Development: While Windows Copilot is currently available in test builds, it is still in its early stages and expected to receive more features and capabilities over time.
The discontinuation of Cortana is part of Microsoft’s strategy to shift focus to Windows Copilot, which aims to provide a more advanced and customizable assistant for Windows 11 users. However, the readiness and full capabilities of Windows Copilot remain to be seen, and it is expected to evolve gradually in future updates.
