Microsoft has made an official announcement regarding the discontinuation of its virtual assistant, Cortana, on the Windows platform. In a support document released by the company, it was stated that the standalone Cortana app, which often went unnoticed by users, will no longer receive support starting later this year.

The Rise of Windows Copilot and the Distinction from Cortana

At Microsoft’s recent Build 2023 conference, the introduction of Windows Copilot raised speculations about whether it would replace Cortana. However, Microsoft’s Aaron Woodman clarified that the two services have distinct purposes and are not interchangeable.

Microsoft’s Shift in Focus: Embracing AI with Copilot and Bing Chat

While Cortana is being discontinued, Microsoft assures users that AI experiences will still be accessible on Windows 11. The support document mentioned notable replacements, including Windows Copilot, the new Bing, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and voice access in Windows, which enables voice control of PCs.

The Inevitable Fate of Cortana

Cortana’s destiny has been apparent for some time. Initially launched as a virtual assistant for Windows Phone 8.1 in 2014, it later made its way to desktops with Windows 10. Microsoft expanded Cortana’s presence by integrating it into various applications, mirroring the current approach with Copilot. However, third-party Cortana devices, such as the Harman Kardon Invoke smart speaker and the Johnson Controls Glas thermostat, have also lost support.

Recognizing the Limited Potential

Microsoft gradually scaled back its efforts with Cortana, as it recognized the limited potential for the virtual assistant to compete with Amazon’s Alexa. Cortana was separated from Windows, transitioning from a taskbar feature to a standalone app. Over the past couple of years, it has largely remained an app on Windows 11 without significant updates or new features.

The Focus on Bing Chat and Copilot

Microsoft is now emphasizing Bing Chat and Copilot. The company’s focus on AI is evident, as it plans to move forward with GPT-4, a more advanced voice assistant, instead of relying on Cortana’s basic functionality.

The Future of Cortana and Windows 10

Microsoft clarified that Cortana will still be available in Outlook mobile, Teams mobile, Teams display, and Teams rooms. However, considering the discontinuation of Cortana on Windows and the lack of recent updates, it may not be the ideal time to build workflows around the virtual assistant.

Furthermore, the end of Cortana coincides with the approaching end of the Windows 10 era. Microsoft recently confirmed that the upcoming 22H2 version will be the final feature update for this widely used operating system.