How To Hard Reset Cortana in Windows 10

If, like me, your Windows 10 Cortana is non-responsive (or you just don't want Cortana) we will show you how to remove and re-add Cortana which will perform a hard reset on it.
Cortana is hard baked into Windows 10 and there is no interface like ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS AND FEATURES to click and remove or reinstall Cortana.  Cortana is a "modern app" which means every user has their own copy but you can use common tech tool called PowerShell that is built into Windows 10 to add or remove any Modern App and then reinstall it.

[FerdinandDark]

Worked like a charm, have tried dozens of other fixes for this problem none of which was of any help. This is a clever yet surpriisingly simple way to trick windows into reinstalling cortana

[OmarHiweish]

YOU ARE A LEGEND!! I've been trying to fix Cortana/Search for 3 days now. Thank you so much!!

[StefaniaCastelli]

Love I had a simple "try later" error (no way to solve it without your suggestions) and simply renaming/erasing the Cortana Package folder from a local account with Admin privileges did the trick!!! (no powershell "section" needed). I'm on 17692 Fast Ring Release (Insider Preview)

[archetype]

Thank you so much, I was just about to reinstall Windows when I found your solution

[alexzavafilms]

Thank you so much! This solved all my problems

[johnnygallardo]

Thanks!! I totally got rid of cortana days ago through a tweak or hack permanently cuz of tracking and what not but i wanted it back this worked Thanks!!!

[Acelryss]

Thanks!!! It works very well!!! Short video but perfect explanation!

[kylepulte]

2:07 Starts explaining how to get Cortana back

[trevoreisenbacher]

This action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program

Close the folder or file and try again.


Date created: 12/21/2015 3:05 PM

I've tried closing the file, killing the process, and restarting the computer and repeating these steps. It won't work. Need some feedback like right now.

[camilomunoz]

thank you so much, you helped me to solved that problem.

[davidallen]

Thank you, this was great and fixed my issues!

[scottvoltageable]

Thank you. tried numerous things and nothing worked until now.

[tmztag]

My cortana isnt even working, eveytime i try to click on cortana, she open up for a second and after close. its like my search bar does not work but i think i founded the clue of what happend, well the folder cortana in the system apps was removed and i dont know how and why this folder isnt here anymore and i cant find the folder on internet to i was wondering if you could help me, (english isnt my primary language sorry for bad writing)

[Tarwada_]

hi... this file does not exist in my computer

the whole folder does not exist. im on windows 10 pro version 2004 os build 19041.423
is there any workaround about it ?

[alfonsoramirez]

Hello I just bought my laptop yesterday however Cortanas voice keeps on cutting off she talks and says the phrases but I can understand it well it sounds like a scratch CD can you please tell me how to fix this or is it supposed to sound like this??

[Leo_space]

brother I can't find the music option that place top on the right corner. which help to find unknown music.

[mojomojo]

Thank you for solving my problem..
it helpled

[logandoyle]

Add-AppxPackage : Cannot find path
because it does not exist.

[erikts]

TY really work +1 sub and like it's working in windows 10 fall creators it's rly works !!!!

[gaz]

i could not rename or delete all the files i delteted some others couldn't