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 as a background process.
Applies to: Windows 10 (22H2) and Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, 25H2) | Last updated: May 27, 2026
Key Takeaways
- The registry method is the most reliable way to stop Cortana from running in the background — Settings-based options can revert after Windows updates
- The registry path is
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search— if theWindows Searchkey doesn’t exist, you need to create it first - Windows Search still works normally after this change — you’re only stopping Cortana’s background process, not the core search functionality
- A full restart is required after making the registry edit — signing out and back in is not enough
- Winhance can handle this change and dozens of other Windows tweaks without ever touching the registry manually
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 using CPU and RAM without giving you anything in return.
In my computer repair work, background processes like Cortana were almost always part of the performance 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 anything in 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.
How to Disable Cortana Using the Registry Editor
Step 1: Open Registry Editor
Press Windows key + R to open the Run box. Type regedit and press Enter. If a User Account Control prompt appears, click Yes to allow it.
Tip: You can also search for “Registry Editor” in the Start menu, then right-click the result and select Run as administrator to make sure you have the necessary permissions.
Step 2: Navigate to the Registry Path
Navigate to the following path in the registry. You can expand the folders one by one in the left panel, or paste the path directly into the address bar at the top of Registry Editor and press Enter:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows SearchIf you don’t have a Windows Search key at this location, right-click the Windows folder in the left panel, 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 a full restart.
One-Line Command Method (Run as Admin)
If you’d rather skip the manual registry steps, you can apply the same change with a single command. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as Administrator (right-click the Start button and choose Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin)), then run:
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v AllowCortana /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /fThis does the exact same thing as the manual steps above. Restart your PC after running it. To reverse the change later, run the same command but with /d 1 instead of /d 0.
Want to Skip the Registry Entirely?
If you’d rather not touch the registry at all, 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 — without ever opening regedit. You can download it free at winhance.net.
While you’re at it, if you’re trying to reduce 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.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
The Windows Search key doesn’t exist in the registry. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows, right-click the Windows folder, and select New > Key. Name it Windows Search, then create the AllowCortana DWORD inside it.
Registry Editor shows an access denied error. Close Registry Editor, search for “regedit” in the Start menu, right-click the result, and select Run as administrator. You need admin rights to make changes under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
Cortana is still running after the change. Make sure you did a full restart — not just sign out and back in. The registry policy change requires a complete reboot to take effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
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. 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. If you do run into search issues later, check out my guide on fixing Windows Search not working.
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. You can also delete the value entirely rather than changing it to 1 — the result is the same.
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 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 export a backup — in Registry Editor, go to File > Export to save a copy you can restore if anything goes wrong. The change described here is a standard policy key that Microsoft supports — it’s not a hack or workaround.
