Anniversary update problems

I finally got round to installing the anniversary update once I realised there was a way to disable Cortana through the registry, and it all seemed to install without any issues.

Now that it's up and running though, a couple of problems have emerged:

- The regedit AllowCortana=0 hack that leaps to the top of every Google search to remove Cortana in the AU doesn't actually do anything. Literally nothing at all.
- I seem to have lost the lockscreens. I know most people want to disable them, but I really like them, and it annoys me that they've been taken away with no way to reinstate them.

Anyone have any thoughts on resolving either issue? I've given up and rolled back to the previous build for the moment (beautiful lockscreens! no Cortana!)

Thanks for the replies.

dalchina said:

Hi, if you have lockscreens in the older build, I would expect you to have them in the anniversary build- MS didn't remove them.

I tried Winaero's tweaker to disable the lock screen related to logging in after upgrading, which worked. Conversely, it might enable you to restore that lockscreen after the upgrade. The one after restarting would be a different case, though.

Cortana: I simply hide the taskbar search bar. I almost never use it, but leave it enabled, on the principle that I'd rather not fiddle with settings or features unnecessarily. Major upgrades tend to reset some settings and restore features. So then the only overhead generally is about 45Mb of RAM.

Again winaero's tweaker offers the option to disable Cortana.. but uses the same mechanism:
Disable Cortana in Windows 10 Anniversary Update version 1607
and the same as the tutorial here:
Cortana - Enable or Disable in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
Note it's effective after a restart.

I fully expected the lockscreens to be there, but they just... weren't. Googling around it just leads to lots of posts about people wanting to disable them, which makes me feel rather contrary :) They're more important on a tablet than on a laptop/desktop, obviously, but I couldn't see any way to activate them again.

As soon as I downgraded, they were back :)

As for Cortana, I'd rather get rid of it altogether than have it just hidden.

Brink said:

Hello ssme, :)

Are your lock screens gone, or just blank? You could use OPTION THREE to see if that may enable or disable the lock screen, but it will not affect the lock screen at startup like the one above.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/6...dows-10-a.html

If you turn on Show lock screen background picture on the sign-in screen, then you will need to make sure that you have Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing checked in your visual effects settings to prevent the lock screen background not displaying properly.

You can use an option in the tutorial below to disable Cortana. You will need to restart explorer or the computer after using the .reg file (if used).

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...dows-10-a.html

As mentioned above, the lockscreens are completely gone. If I put my tablet to sleep, it wakes up straight to the desktop even after 10 hours. I tried editing the registry to disable them then reenable them, but it did nothing.

Returning to pre-AU build fixes the problem.

As for disabling Cortana, as mentioned in the OP, I already tried the registry fix (no group policy option on Home). Restarted the tablet and... no change whatsoever. This confuses me as typically registry fixes tend to just work, so perhaps Microsoft have adding something in an update to prevent this registry fix from working any more?

I think I'll give it a few weeks and maybe try the AU again, see if the bugs have been ironed out...

I guess this is the best thread to post this..lol
I have been unable to have Cortana show up on the lock screen on my OS 14393.105 laptop...all settings within Cortana are properly toggled 'On'....have tried with 'Picture' and 'Slideshow'......

Even reset my system....it worked once....then nothing!! Thanks...all registry settings are present too...

@delchina,

lol, yes indeed just completed a 'clean install' and after toggling on all necessary Cortana lock screen 'On' switches absolutely no success..
I see in the Feedback forums many issues with this and 14393.xxx builds...

Oh well, with perform the 'netplwiz' option: until there is a fix...

'Like Windows 8.x, Windows 10 has been designed with security in mind and requires you to log in before you can start using it. That’s fine, and sensible, but if you’re the only person using your PC, and you’re confident that no one will be able to use it without your permission, or break in to your home and steal it, you might want to skip this stage.
The process of doing so is the same as in Windows 8, and is very simple without the need for registry hacks or complicated trickery.
From the Start menu type 'run'. Click on Run and type 'netplwiz'. OK that and highlight your account. Uncheck 'Users must enter a username and password to use this computer'. Click Apply. Then enter your password and confirm it. Click OK.
Restart your PC and when Windows loads it will automatically log you in. Easy.
If you change your mind and decide you do want the security offered by the password or new PIN feature, repeat the process and check the option forcing users to login.'