To disable Cortana from running in the background on Windows 10 or 11, open Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search, create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named AllowCortana, and set it to 0. Restart your PC and Cortana will no longer run in the background.
Quick Steps:
- Press Windows key + R, type
regedit, and press Enter - Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search - If the Windows Search key doesn’t exist, right-click the Windows folder, select New > Key, and name it
Windows Search - Right-click in the empty white space on the right and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
- Name the value
AllowCortanaand press Enter - Double-click
AllowCortana, set the value data to0, and click OK - Close Registry Editor and restart your PC
Why Disable Cortana from Running in the Background?
Even if you never use Cortana, it runs as a background process by default on Windows 10 and some Windows 11 setups. That means it’s sitting there quietly using CPU and RAM without giving you anything in return.
Working in computer repair for about 10 years, I dealt with a lot of machines that felt slow for no obvious reason. Background processes like Cortana were almost always part of the problem, especially on lower-spec systems. Disabling them was one of the first things I’d do during a setup or cleanup.
The registry method I’m covering here is more permanent than using the Settings app, which can sometimes revert after a Windows update. If you want to stop other unnecessary background apps from running too, my guide on how to disable background apps on Windows 10 and 11 using Regedit covers that with the same approach.
Detailed Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Open Registry Editor
Press Windows key + R at the same time to open the Run box. Type regedit and press Enter. If a User Account Control prompt appears, click Yes to proceed.
Step 2: Navigate to the Correct Registry Path
Head to this path in the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search. You can expand the folders one by one on the left panel, or paste the path directly into the address bar at the top of Registry Editor and press Enter.
If you don’t have a Windows Search key at this location, right-click the Windows folder, select New > Key, and name the new key Windows Search. Then click into it before moving to the next step.
Step 3: Create the AllowCortana DWORD Value
With the Windows Search key selected, right-click anywhere in the empty white space on the right side of the window. Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name the new entry AllowCortana and press Enter.
Step 4: Set the Value to 0 and Restart
Double-click the AllowCortana value. In the edit window that opens, change the value data to 0 and click OK. Close Registry Editor and restart your PC — the change won’t take effect until you do.
Want to Handle This Without Touching the Registry?
If you’d rather not manually edit the registry, I built a free tool called Winhance that handles tweaks like this through a simple interface. It lets you manage Cortana, privacy settings, background apps, bloatware removal, and a lot more — all without ever opening regedit.
While you’re at it, if you’re trying to cut down on what Windows sends back to Microsoft, my guide on how to disable Windows telemetry using Regedit pairs well with this one. It’s the same type of registry change and takes just a few minutes to do.
Common Issues & Solutions
Problem: The Windows Search key doesn’t exist in the registry
Solution: Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows, right-click the Windows folder, and select New > Key. Name it Windows Search, then proceed to create the AllowCortana DWORD inside it.
Problem: Registry Editor won’t open or shows an access denied error
Solution: Search for “regedit” in the Start menu, right-click the result, and select Run as administrator. You need admin rights to make changes to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
Problem: Cortana is still running after making the change
Solution: Make sure you fully restarted your PC after saving the registry edit. Signing out and back in isn’t enough — a full restart is required for this change to apply.
FAQ
Does this registry method work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes, it works on both. Cortana is more tightly integrated in Windows 10, but it can still run in the background on certain Windows 11 setups too. The same registry path and DWORD value applies to both versions.
Will disabling Cortana break Windows Search?
No. Windows Search (searching your files, apps, and settings from the Start menu or taskbar) continues to work normally after this change. You’re only stopping Cortana’s background process, not the core search functionality built into Windows.
How do I re-enable Cortana if I want it back?
Go back to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search, double-click the AllowCortana value, and change the data from 0 to 1. Restart your PC and Cortana will be re-enabled.
Will this improve my PC’s performance?
It can, particularly on older or budget machines. Cortana uses CPU and RAM as a background process, and freeing those resources up makes a difference when you’re running on limited hardware. On a high-end system the gain is smaller, but it’s still one less unnecessary process running at all times.
Is it safe to edit the registry?
Yes, as long as you follow the steps exactly and only change what’s specified. Before making any registry edits, it’s good practice to create a backup — in Registry Editor, go to File > Export to save a copy you can restore if anything goes wrong.
