Anniversary Update for Windows 10 has brought many new enhancements and features to the latest operating system from Microsoft. One of the most interesting things I’ve seen is the ability to use Cortana while your PC or your Windows 10 device is locked. This means you no longer have to unlock your PC or device to be able to talk to it. If you activate “Hey Cortana“, you do not even have to go to your PC – you can simply tell it what you want from a bigger distance. Here’s how to activate Cortana on the Windows 10 lock screen:
A few things you need to know about Cortana
First and foremost, we will asume that you have already activated Cortana and it is working for you. If not, or if you just want to find out more about it and what it can do for you, then just keep reading this article.
If you have activated Cortana on your PC or your Windows 10 device and installed Anniversary Update, then go ahead and follow the steps in this tutorial.
How to Activate the Cortana on the Windows 10 Lock Screen
Start by clicking on the Cortana search box on the taskbar.
Click the Cortana Settings icon in the left column.
Cortana will now display a list of all its settings. The first thing you have to do is to decide if you want to be able to use Cortana on the lock screen in the handsfree mode, which means, to activate “Hey Cortana“. If you want to be able to call it out of the bathroom and ask it about the weather outside, turn on the “Let Cortana Response to Hey Cortana” switch (“It allows Cortana to respond to Hey Cortana“).
Then, in the Lock screen section, you’ll find a switch that lets you use your Cortana when your device is locked. It is called “Use Cortana even when my device is locked”. This switch is set to Off by default.
Turn on the switch and Cortana will immediately become available on the lock screen.
Just right below the lock screen switch, you’ll find another very important setting: “Let Cortana access my calendar, email, messages, and Power BI data when my device is locked”.
If you ignore this setting and choose not to activate it, Cortana will be able to assist you in the lock screen, but its skills will be very limited. It will be able to do things like playing music for you or telling you how the weather is outside, but it will not be able to do things like set up reminders, send emails, add events to your agenda, and so on .
If you’re sure that your PC or your Windows 10 device is not accessible to unauthorized people, and if you want to get the most out of Cortana, even when your PC or your device is locked, then turn on this switch.
To get Cortana tips on the lock screen, choose Picture or Slideshow as your background in Lock screen settings.