Our friends at PCWorld figured out how to disable Cortana in Windows 10, after the Anniversary Update. Below, we’ll specify a fix that puts down Cortana in both Windows 10 Pro and Home. If you turned off Cortana prior to installing the Anniversary Update, you’ll need to follow these steps to disable it again. Note that this fix requires editing the registry, so be sure to backup first and proceed with great caution when attempting this fix. Here’s how to turn off Cortana in Windows 10:

  1. Open regedit the registry editor, from the search box on the taskbar. If asked, allow the program to make changes to your computer.
  2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows SearchBut wait! Windows Search might not be there. It wasn’t for us, so we had to create it. 2a. Right-click the Windows folder and choose New>Key. Call it “Windows Search.”
  3.  Right click “Windows Search” and choose New > DWORD (32-bit Value).
  4. Name the DWORD “AllowCortana.” Click it and make sure the value is “0.”
  5. Restart the computer (or log out and log back in). Cortana will be replaced with a regular search bar. While Cortana is gone, it’s still hiding. You may find the program running in the background, but you might as well leave it there. When we tried killing the program, Cortana kept popping back up like a weed. When PCWorld managed to kill the process, they couldn’t search for anything on their PC. It’s possible that the next Windows update will restore Cortana to its place in Windows 10, so be sure to keep these instructions handy, just in case.

Windows 10 Annoyances and Problems

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Repair Windows 10Remove the Lock ScreenDisable or Enable Grayscale ModeSet Compatibility Mode for AppsAccess the BIOS on a Windows 10 PCStop Windows Update from Automatically Restarting Your PCTurn Off App NotificationsFix a Slow-Opening Windows Downloads FolderDisable Personalized Ads on Microsoft Sites and AppsStop Skype’s Annoying Auto UpdatesFix a ‘Boot Configuration Data File is Missing’ ErrorClear the Run Command’s HistoryDisable CortanaUninstall and Restore Built-in AppsRestore a Missing Battery IconFix a Boot Configuration File ErrorGet to the Advanced Startup Options MenuDelete a Locked FileRestart without RebootingRoll Back Windows 10 to an Earlier VersionDisable Automatic Driver DownloadsDisable Internet ExplorerPause Windows Updates for Up to 35 DaysUse Battery SaverDowngrade to Windows 10 SSave Netflix Videos for Offline ViewingAll Windows 10 TipsWorst Windows 10 AnnoyancesDisable Password Prompt on Wake