This tutorial is no longer valid starting with Windows 10 version 2004.


information   Information
Cortana is your cloud-based personal assistant that works across your devices and other Microsoft services. Depending on the capabilities of your device and the version of Cortana you’re using, Cortana can provide a range of features, some of which are personalized. Cortana on Windows is available in certain regions and languages. If Cortana isn’t available for your Windows device, you can still search for files on your device in the search box on the taskbar. Cortana is also available on other platforms, such as Android and iOS, in select markets.

Cortana works best when you sign in and let her use data from your device, other Microsoft services, and third-party services you choose to connect. To provide you with personalized experiences, Cortana learns from certain data about you, such as your searches, calendar, contacts, and location. You’re in control of how much data you share. If you choose not to sign into Cortana on Windows, you can still chat with Cortana and use her to help you search the web, documents stored in Microsoft services like OneDrive, and your Windows device. See the section about Windows Search in the Privacy Statement for more information. If you don’t sign in, or you choose to sign out, your experiences will be more limited and they won’t be personalized with your Cortana data. On iOS and Android devices, Cortana only works when you sign in.

For more information about Cortana, see: What is Cortana - Microsoft Windows

Starting with Windows 10 build 16188, Cortana's settings have been integrated into Settings.

This tutorial will show you how to create or download a shortcut that opens directly to Cortana settings for your account in Windows 10.

CONTENTS:
  • Option One: To Download a Cortana Settings Shortcut
  • Option Two: To Manually Create a Cortana a Settings Shortcut


EXAMPLE: Cortana settings
Create Cortana Settings Shortcut in Windows 10-cortana_settings.jpg






OPTION ONE

To Download a Cortana Settings Shortcut


1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .zip file below.

Cortana_Settings_shortcut.zip

Download

2. Save the .zip file to your desktop.

3. Unblock the .zip file.

4. Open the .zip file, and extract (drag and drop) the shortcut to your desktop.

5. If you like, go to step 4 in OPTION TWO below to download and use a custom icon for this shortcut.

6. If you like, you can Pin to Taskbar, Pin to Start, add to All apps, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.

7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .zip file if you like.






OPTION TWO

To Manually Create a Cortana Settings Shortcut


1. Right click or press and hold on an empty area on your desktop, and click/tap on New and Shortcut.

2. Copy and paste the location below into the location area, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

%WinDir%\explorer.exe ms-settings:cortana

Create Cortana Settings Shortcut in Windows 10-shortcut-1.png

3. Type Cortana Settings for the name, and click/tap on the Finish button. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You could name this shortcut anything you would like though.

Create Cortana Settings Shortcut in Windows 10-shortcut-2.png

4. Click/tap on the Download button below to download a custom Cortana.ico file to use for this shortcut. Unblock the .ico file, then move it to where you would like to keep it saved at.
5. Right click or press and hold on the new Cortana Settings shortcut, and click/tap on Properties.

6. Click/tap on the Shortcut tab, and click/tap on the Change Icon button. (see screenshot below)

Create Cortana Settings Shortcut in Windows 10-shortcut3.png

7. Click/tap on the Browse button, navigate to and select the Cortana.ico file from step 4 above, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You can use any icon that you would like instead though.

Create Cortana Settings Shortcut in Windows 10-shortcut-4.png

8. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 6)

9. If you like, you can Pin to Taskbar, Pin to Start, add to All apps, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.


That's it,
Shawn


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