We’re all witnessing a significant shift in the tech world as Microsoft is finally killing Cortana on Windows. For many of us, this might seem like an end of an era. Microsoft’s digital assistant has been around for a while, helping users with a variety of tasks. Despite recent denials, the company confirmed that Cortana is being discontinued in their latest support document.
As fans of the digital assistant, we might mourn its departure. Remember when Cortana first launched, bringing a fresh wave of excitement with voice commands and smart replies? Over time, newer and more advanced AI-driven tools have emerged, overshadowing our old friend. Microsoft’s recent AI efforts, like its ChatGPT-like Bing Chat, are touted to be the perfect replacements, bringing stronger and more capable functionalities.
This isn’t the end for Cortana entirely. While the standalone app might be going away, Cortana will continue to exist in services like Outlook and other Microsoft tools. We should look forward to what these new AI advancements will bring us, although saying goodbye to Cortana on Windows feels a bit like saying farewell to an old friend.
Microsoft Is Finally Killing Cortana
Microsoft is finally saying goodbye to Cortana on Windows 10 and Windows 11. This virtual assistant, which made its debut with Windows Phone 8.1, is now being shut down. We can’t help but feel a bit nostalgic as Cortana has been part of our digital lives for years.
Instead, Microsoft is focusing on next-gen AI tools like Bing Chat and Windows Copilot. They’ve positioned these new AI experiences as better replacements for Cortana. These updates will bring more advanced features to our everyday apps and operating systems.
Here’s a quick look at what’s changing:
| Platform | Status | Replacement |
| Windows 10/11 | Retired | Bing Chat, Copilot |
| Outlook | Ongoing | Microsoft 365 Copilot |
| Teams | Ongoing | Teams AI models |
Despite pulling Cortana from Windows, its functionality will still linger in other Microsoft services. We’ll continue to see it in Outlook mobile, Teams mobile, Teams display, and Teams rooms.
Microsoft has shifted priorities, leaning on modern AI to drive productivity. Tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot are set to offer smarter, more intuitive features. They’re banking on these advancements to replace the voice commands we used to know.
Though Cortana won’t disappear overnight, the move signifies an impressive pivot towards a more integrated AI experience. Advanced models like ChatGPT and GPT-4 are at the forefront. Our future tech tools are rapidly evolving, bringing powerful AI right to our fingertips.