Cortana

Microsoft Cortana voice commands to control Windows 10 PC

Microsoft Cortana voice commands to control Windows 10 PC

Microsoft's digital assistant, Cortana, is one of the best features of Windows 10. Cortana is very similar to Amazon's Alexa and Apple's Siri, it can perform a variety of functions like open an application, search for files, check the weather, or translate words to different languages - and all of it is just a “Hey Cortana” away.

Get started with Microsoft Cortana

If you haven't activated Cortana yet, you will first need to follow the below steps to turn it on:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Click the Cortana icon.
  3. Turn on Hey Cortana to let Cortana respond to your commands.

How to use Cortana with voice commands

Before diving into voice commands, it is first important to the know the different ways in which Cortana can be invoked on your Windows 10 PC:

Click on the microphone icon appearing on the taskbar right next to the Start menu option.

Use shortcut Shift + Win Key + C to open Cortana in listening mode.

To use this keyboard shortcut, you need to ensure this feature is enabled in the Cortana settings.

Simply, use the command Hey Cortana to invoke the assistant followed by the command. For example, Hey Cortana: Will it rain today in Bangalore?

Read: List of Apps that work with Cortana Voice Commands.

Cortana voice commands for Windows 10 PC

Here are some extremely useful Microsoft Cortana voice commands that you should be using when working with Windows 10.

  1. Find documents, videos, photos
  2. Search the web
  3. Control your PC settings
  4. Set reminders for the future
  5. Calendar voice commands
  6. Cortana technical support voice commands
  7. Track deliveries and flights
  8. Look up words or phrases
  9. Get quick math calculations or currency conversions
  10. Check directions and traffic status
  11. Hands-free control to entertainment

Let's look at what these Cortana voice commands do when you use them:

1] Find documents, videos, photos:

Cortana can find files, documents, photos or videos stored on your Windows 10 PC. Here are a few examples that you can try to look for your valuable documents:

2] Search the web:

You can give Cortana voice commands to search directly from the web, it could be for finding some facts, discovering good food places, or simply looking for the meaning for a word or synonyms for the same.

Finding Facts:

Searching for a specific term

Discovering places to eat

3] Control your PC settings:

Using Cortana to open settings apps is much faster than manually navigating through the 'Start Menu', here are a few examples:

4] Set reminders for the future:

Cortana can be used to set reminders for a future time. For example:

Note, reminders can also be manually created by opening Cortana, and clicking on the 'Notebook' icon on the left menu and then tapping 'Reminders'.

5] Calendar voice commands:

Managing your schedule on Windows 10 can't get easier than this. You can control your calendar events by adding, moving, and viewing all of it with Cortana. Here are a few examples:

6] Cortana technical support voice commands:

When it comes to technical support on Windows 10, the first option is to look for it on the Internet. But, why look beyond when Cortana can do it for you within a matter of seconds? Here are some general technical support voice commands:

7] Track deliveries and flights:

If you wish to track your flight status or a package that is due for delivery. Just copy and paste the PNR for your flight or the tracking number into Cortona's search field. Cortana will keep you posted on any potential flight delays or package location changes.

8] Look up words or phrases:

If you love using the Microsoft Edge internet browser, you will love this feature. Cortana can be used from directly within the Edge browse so you can quickly look up for words or phrases without having to open a new tab or browser. To do this, just highlight the word or phrase on the webpage, 'right-click' on it with the mouse, and hit the 'Ask Cortana about' prompt. Cortana performs a Bing search and displays the result in a small window within the Edge browser.

9] Get quick math calculations or currency conversions:

Microsoft Cortana supports conversions for almost every major currency; in addition, it also includes a variety of common cryptocurrencies like Litecoin and Bitcoin. So, if you ever need to do any quick currency conversions just say ask Cortana, example “Hey Cortana, how much is 100 euros in American dollars?” Also, Cortana can perform calculations related to math, weight, temperature, and finance within a few seconds, so you don't have to open the calculator.

10] Check directions and traffic status:

Asking Cortana for directions and traffic status can be an extremely useful thing when traveling. Whenever you need check directions to a specific place, you can use the following commands:

For checking traffic status:

11] Hands-free control to entertainment:

When you are busy doing some important work or maybe cooking, getting hands-free control to some entertainment can be both convenient and stress relieving.

Voice commands to play music

Detect what's playing

Find movie details:

Some more basic Cortana voice commands

There are so many things this voice assistant can do for you. After the complex commands, not its time to list down the most basic ones.

Final Thoughts

You can now go about using your computer as you normally do, but whenever you need Cortana to perform a task, start by saying, “Hey, Cortana.”

I hope this list was helpful.

Hiiri Cursor jumps or moves randomly while typing in Windows 10
Cursor jumps or moves randomly while typing in Windows 10
If you find that your mouse cursor jumps or moves on its own, automatically, randomly while typing in Windows laptop or computer, then some of these s...
Hiiri How to reverse Mouse and Touchpads scrolling direction in Windows 10
How to reverse Mouse and Touchpads scrolling direction in Windows 10
Mouse and Touchpads not only make computing easy but more efficient and less time-consuming. We cannot imagine a life without these devices, but still...
Hiiri How to change Mouse pointer and cursor size, color & scheme on Windows 10
How to change Mouse pointer and cursor size, color & scheme on Windows 10
The mouse pointer and cursor in Windows 10 are very important aspects of the operating system. This can be said for other operating systems as well, s...