Microsoft is retiring Cortana earlier than previously announced. For some users, the digital language assistant can no longer be used under Windows 11.
In 2014, not only did Windows 10 see the light of day, the language assistant Cortana also made its way with the operating system. Most users will only have heard the voice during the initial setup of a PC, where the assistant offered to help without being asked. While there is an official Cortana app pre-installed on Windows, few users have spoken to their PC. Microsoft announced in June that Cortana will be shut down by the end of 2023. Retirement is now even earlier.
Cortana goes – Windows 11 Copilot with ChatGPT is coming
First users in the Windows Insider program now get the screen message when they click on the Cortana app: “Cortana is outdated as a standalone app in Windows”. Since no update is available, no longer use the app. In 2014, Cortana would make the leap from Windows Phone 8 to PC. Microsoft launched Windows 10 Mobile for smartphones. Together with the UWP program, developers should program apps that can then run on Windows smartphones, Xbox One and Windows 10, provided the developer has approved this. Ultimately, however, hardly any UWP apps were developed, so there is no longer a Universal Windows Platform. Cortana disappeared from the Xbox homepage as early as 2020, and the smartphone app was discontinued in March 2021.
Cortana’s successor will be the Windows Copilot, so to speak. This is an AI copilot based on ChatGPT. Windows Copilot build version 23493 with Microsoft Edge version 115.0.1901.150 or higher can already be tested in the Windows Insider program. Registered Insiders in the Beta Channel have been able to try out the AI Copilot since build 22631.2129 before it will be available in Windows 11 with version 23H2 in the fall. The sidebar can be called up with the key combination Windows+C. In addition to generating text, you can also search for settings or activate them directly. Windows 11 users can also look forward to a comeback in the taskbar with the upcoming function update. The grouping of apps can be canceled again if desired. Each open app window then has its own icon in the taskbar. The range of new functions is supplemented by integrated support for RAR files, a new file explorer and thumbnails in the start menu.
Also worth reading: Windows 11 meets ChatGPT: Windows Copilot hands-on leaked
Collection on the end of Cortana in Windows 11:
- Microsoft is retiring Cortana earlier than planned. Actually, the language assistant should be retired at the end of 2023.
- Some Windows Insiders can no longer use the Cortana app on Windows 11.
- Cortana’s successor is the Windows Copilot based on ChatGPT, which can optionally be displayed as a sidebar.
Source: Windows latest