Microsoft made a change to Cortana in Windows 10 version 2004. In 2004 and later versions, Cortana is offered as a dedicated app. This means that Cortana can be managed just like any other independent app.
Now that Cortana is a separate app, we can reset, uninstall, or change its startup behavior. In one of our previous article, we showed you how to uninstall Cortana from Windows 10. In this guide, we will tell you how to prevent Cortana from loading with Windows 10.
Preventing Cortana from loading with Windows 10 will not disable or uninstall Cortana. It just makes sure that Cortana does not start with Windows 10. You can always manually start Cortana once your PC is boot up.
Method 1 of 2
Prevent Cortana from loading with Windows 10
Step 1: Open the Task Manager. To do that, right-click on an empty space on the Taskbar and then click the Task Manager option.
Step 2: Once the Task Manager window shows up on the screen, click More details if you get the cut-down version of the Task Manager. If you get the full-version, skip this step.
Step 3: Click on the Startup tab to switch to the same. Here, look for the Cortana entry. Right-click on it and then click Disable option to stop Cortana from loading with Windows 10.
NOTE: If the Cortana app entry does not show up here, it is likely because Cortana has been uninstalled.
When you are at it, we suggest you disable apps and programs that you do not want to load with Windows 10. Doing so will improve boot time.
Method 2 of 2
Stop Cortana from auto-loading with Windows 10 via Settings
Step 1: Launch the Settings app. Go to Apps > Startup page.
Step 2: The Startup page displays all the apps that load with Windows 10. As you can see in the picture below, Cortana is one of the many apps that load with Windows 10 on my computer.
Click on the toggle button next to the Cortana app entry to stop it from running with Windows 10.
