How to disable Cortana but Keep Search?

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by Super Spartan, Sep 19, 2016.

  1. Super Spartan

    Super Spartan MDL Expert

    May 30, 2014
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    #1 Super Spartan, Sep 19, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
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  2. mxman2k

    mxman2k MDL Developer

    Jun 20, 2007
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    #2 mxman2k, Sep 19, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    I have used the code below to turn off Cortana and still use the search feature. This works on TH2 1511 and RS1 1607, not tested on latest insider versions.

    There are extra added 'features' such as make the search box the magnifying glass icon, prevent searching the net when searching your pc, does not keep history of what you searched previous.

    Hope this what you are looking for.

    Code:
     
@echo off

IF EXIST "%systemdrive%\Program Files (x86)\" (SET OSARCH=x64) >nul
IF NOT DEFINED OSARCH SET OSARCH=x86

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "AllowCortana" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f > NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "ConnectedSearchUseWeb" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f > NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "ConnectedSearchUseWebOverMeteredConnections" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f > NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "AllowSearchToUseLocation" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f > NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "DisableWebSearch" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f > NUL 2>&1

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "SearchboxTaskbarMode" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f >NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "CortanaEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f >NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "BingSearchEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f >NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "DeviceHistoryEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f >NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "HistoryViewEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f >NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "UserSettingsContentReady" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f >NUL 2>&1

IF /I "%OSARCH%"=="x64" (
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "AllowSearchToUseLocation" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f >NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "DisableWebSearch" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f >NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "ConnectedSearchUseWeb" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f >NUL 2>&1

reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "AllowSearchToUseLocation" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f > NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "DisableWebSearch" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f > NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "ConnectedSearchUseWeb" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f > NUL 2>&1
)


reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "CortanaEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f >NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "SearchboxTaskbarMode" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f >NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "BingSearchEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f >NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "DeviceHistoryEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f >NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "HistoryViewEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f >NUL 2>&1
reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "UserSettingsContentReady" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f >NUL 2>&1
     
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  3. petok

    petok MDL Senior Member

    May 4, 2009
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    #3 petok, Sep 19, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    I have in registry this

    Code:
    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search]
"AllowSearchToUseLocation"=dword:00000000
"AllowCortana"=dword:00000000
"ConnectedSearchUseWeb"=dword:00000000
"ConnectedSearchUseWebOverMeteredConnections"=dword:00000000
"DisableWebSearch"=dword:00000001
     
  4. Katzenfreund

    Katzenfreund MDL Expert

    Jul 15, 2016
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    #4 Katzenfreund, Sep 19, 2016
    You can use a simple workaround to disable Cortana without changing the registry in ways that could give trouble with future updates. Search and everything else remains unaffected.

    So there are many languages that Cortana doesn’t speak. Just pick one you know a little bit and make it your native language (change your Region in Settings), while keeping English as the working language for everything you see and do on the computer. Only the welcoming screen will be in the new native language.

    That’s what I did using Greek as the “catalyst”, and Cortana not only left me alone but also apologized for not speaking “my language”.