One of the newest features to Windows 10 is Cortana. But unlike her counterpart on Windows Phones after installing Windows 10 as an upgrade she can be surprisingly silent. This is most likely because not everyone appreciates a chatty computer, but also because enabling the full functionality in Cortana means giving her access to a certain amount of private information about the user.

One of the newest features to Windows 10 is Cortana. But unlike her counterpart on Windows Phones after installing Windows 10 as an upgrade she can be surprisingly silent. This is most likely because not everyone appreciates a chatty computer, but also because enabling the full functionality in Cortana means giving her access to a certain amount of private information about the user.But with a couple changes to the default settings your new assistant will be ready to set appointments and crack jokes.

Cortana Settings

For Cortana to be fully functional you will need to turn the following on:

• Cortana needs to be able to give you suggestions and ideas.
• Cortana needs to be able to respond to, “Hey Cortana”
• You have to authorize her to access your search history.Doing this allows you to speak and interact using voice in the most common situations where Cortana could be useful. The mic also needs to be configured correctly and sound turned on.

But with a couple changes to the default settings your new assistant will be ready to set appointments and crack jokes.

Getting Started with Cortana

Right click the speaker in the system tray, select recording devices, and make sure a valid recording device is set as default. Right click the device to test it. Also make sure that the playback device is similarly enabled and that you can hear sound when testing it.In the search bar where it states, “Ask me anything”. Type, “Cortana” and then select, “Cortana and search settings”. This will bring up flip pins that will let you turn features on and off. In addition to the options above, another beneficial thing to turn on can be letting Cortana learn your voice. This will make the voice recognition more accurate and Cortana will be able to respond better to commands, especially in areas where there is a lot of ambient noise.

Testing Cortana on Windows 10

Once enabled, click on the desktop and speak.

There are some fun phrases that you can use to test Cortana is enabled and ready such as…

• “Hey Cortana, tell me a story”
• “Hey Cortana, tell me a joke”And some more practical ones, such as…
• “Hey Cortana, remind me about my meeting tomorrow at 6:00”
• “Hey Cortana, where is Fantastic 4 playing”