Microsoft, a pioneer in the development of AI assistants, has recently disclosed its plans to discontinue the standalone Cortana app on Windows. Cortana, initially launched on Windows Phone, provides users with various handy functions such as scheduling events, setting reminders, weather reporting, and web searching.
Cortana’s journey
Cortana has grown from its humble beginnings on the Windows Phone platform to make its presence felt on Windows 10, Android, and iOS. The AI assistant has seamlessly integrated with Microsoft’s ecosystem, cohesively working with other products from the tech giant.
However, as per a recent support document noted by Windows Central, Microsoft plans to retire the standalone Cortana app on Windows by the end of 2023. This development comes eight years after Cortana was incorporated into Windows 10 in 2015.
Windows Copilot takes over
Microsoft stated, “After 2023, we won’t be supporting Cortana on Windows as a standalone application. However, Windows and Edge will still offer advanced AI capabilities for your productivity needs.”
This decision is confined to Windows, and Cortana will still operate on platforms like Outlook Mobile, Teams Mobile, Microsoft Teams Display, and Microsoft Teams Rooms.
Notably, Microsoft had earlier ceased support for the Cortana mobile application two years ago, in March 2021. Cortana’s position as a digital assistant on Windows has been succeeded by the AI-enhanced Windows Copilot, launched during the Build conference last week.
Windows Copilot is scheduled to enter a preview phase for Windows 11 starting in June, according to Panos Panay, the Chief Product Officer for Windows and Devices at Redmond.
To supplement the capabilities of the outgoing Cortana, Microsoft has suggested using some of its recently launched products, such as Voice access in Windows 11, Bing’s new AI-driven search engine, and the Microsoft 365 Copilot AI productivity tool.
Microsoft concluded, “We’re committed to continual innovation and AI application to enhance your productivity. We hope that you appreciate these new AI solutions designed to help you save time and focus on your priorities.”
What are your thoughts on this move by Microsoft? Do you think it’s a wise decision to replace Cortana with Windows Copilot? We’d love to hear your opinions in the comment section below!
