On Windows 10, starting with version 2004, Cortana becomes a regular app that is no longer attached to the operating system and updates to the Microsoft Store.
The new experience brings a new chat-based interface with the ability to type or speak to the assistant. The only caveat is that once you set up the app for the first time, it’ll always start minimized in the taskbar after a reboot, even if you’re not planning to continue using the assistant.
If you want to stop this behavior, since Cortana is a regular app, it’ll now appear in the Startup settings page, where you can disable the assistant during startup on Windows 10.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to disable Cortana from starting up automatically at reboot on Windows 10.
Disable Cortana at startup on Windows 10
To stop Cortana from restarting automatically, use these steps:
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Open Start.
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Click on Apps.
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Click on Startup.
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Turn off the Cortana toggle switch.
Startup settings disable Cortana
Once you complete the steps, you can still use Cortana, but the next time you reboot the device, the app will not restart automatically during startup.
Disable Cortana at startup app settings on Windows 10
Alternatively, the same option is also available from the app settings.
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Open Start.
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Click on Apps.
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Click on Apps & features.
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Under the “Apps & features” section, select the Cortana option.
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Click the Advanced options link.
Cortana advanced options -
Under the “Runs at log-in” section, turn off the Cortana toggle switch.
Cortana settings disable runs at log-in
After you complete the steps, Cortana will no longer run a startup.
Also, note that within the app settings, you can also reset Cortana to fix any problems.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].