Microsoft and Amazon are releasing a preview that allows Cortana and Alexa users to interact with each assistant from the same device to access other apps and services.
The collaboration was first unveiled last year, and both companies demonstrated a preview showcasing how Alexa and Cortana can work together during Microsoft’s 2018 Build event. Now, the first preview is available to the public, and anyone can give it a try, even if you don’t own an Amazon device. You only need a Windows 10 device connected with a Microsoft account and an Amazon account.
Currently, the preview is limited to users in the United States, and the integration is basic and a little awkward. Once you enable the Cortana-Alexa integration, you can check your emails, schedules, and to-do lists. Summoning Alexa on Windows 10, you can play games with Alexa, add items to your shopping list, control your smart home devices, and check your Amazon orders.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to connect Cortana with Amazon Alexa on Windows 10, and you’ll also learn the steps to disconnect the experience.
- How to set up Alexa with Cortana integration on Windows 10
- How to disconnect Amazon Alexa from Cortana on Windows 10
How to set up Alexa with Cortana integration on Windows 10
If you want to connect Amazon Alexa with Cortana on Windows 10, use these steps:
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Open Cortana.
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Click the microphone icon and use the Open Alexa voice command. (If you have “Hey Cortana” enabled, you can simply say: Hey Cortana – Open Alexa to start.)
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Sign-in with your Amazon account.
Connecting Amazon account to Windows 10 -
Click the Allow button.
Amazon to connect user data on Windows 10 -
Click the Yes button, if you want Windows 10 to remember your Amazon sign-in information.
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In the Cortana interface, click the Yes button to allow Microsoft to share information with Amazon Alexa.
Allow Microsoft to share info with Amazon
Once you’ve completed the steps, you can use the “Hey Cortana – Open Alexa” voice command to summon the Amazon digital assistant.
You only need to set up the assistant once, after configuring the required settings, the Cortana and Alexa integration will be enabled as a skill on all your Windows 10 and Amazon devices.
How to disconnect Amazon Alexa from Cortana on Windows 10
If you want to disconnect Alexa from Cortana, use the following steps:
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Open Cortana.
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Click on the Notebook icon.
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Click the Manage Skills tab.
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Click on the Amazon Alexa skill.
Cortana’s Notebook Amazon Alexa skill -
Click the Disconnect button.
Disconnect Alexa from Windows 10
After completing the steps, you’ll no longer be able to use Amazon Alexa with Cortana on Windows 10.
You don’t need additional devices to take Alexa for a spin on Windows 10, but if you want to try the new experience fully, you can get an Amazon Echo or Harman Kardon Invoke to use Amazon Alexa with Cortana and vice versa.
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].