Windows 10: Cortana will not open apps, it now only offers Bing search results.

I am on Windows 10.

Cortana now either gives me Bing results or says "Sorry, I'm not able to help with that" whenever I ask it do anything.
If I say "Open Word" it simply gives a list of things to do to open word. If I say "Set a timer for 3 minutes" or "remind me to phone Tom", it says "Sorry I'm not able to help with that".

Is this how Cortana is supposed to work now, I used to be able to do a lot more with it?

:)

 

What is the difference between cortana and search?

Cortana is your digital agent. She'll help you get things done.

One of the major changes to Windows 10 is the presence of Microsoft’s voice assistant, Cortana. Along with voice searches, you will be given “suggestions” that the voice assistant makes. This includes reminders for scheduled events in your calendar, ideas when you are searching the Web for something, alternatives when you are quizzing Cortana for information, and more.
Here are some things Cortana can do for you:

• Give you reminders based on time, places, or people.
  
• Track packages, teams, interests, and flights.
  
• Send emails and texts.
  
• Manage your calendar and keep you up to date.
  
• Create and manage lists.
  
• Chit chat and play games.
  
• Find facts, files, places, and info.
  
• Open any app on your system.
  

What is Cortana

Windows 10 Forum

 

Does Cortana deliver anything besides bing search results?

So far I'm not at all impressed. I had voice search for Bing before Cortana plus music search and QR code scan too!

No matter what I ask of her I get a bing search results page. I've stopped using it. Cortana is no where near Siri and I've only rarely ever seen Siri work but at least she gives you some interaction.. Cortana is mute apparently.

And I've tried it enough for her to learn about me. Even search that makes no sense on a search engine returns Bing search results.. I don't use it because I now know I'm only going to get Bing search results and I don't have time to waste with a query
that will knowingly return nothing useful.

If I say "Cortana, navigate to Bob Smiths home".. I get bing seach results, and as expected they are absolutely useless. IT turns out to be merely another search hit for Microsoft to tally in it's Bing market share ambitions.. I've given her enough
information to act with useful results ..like opening Here Drive and pulling Bob Smith's home address from my contact records and start navigation to that address.. How hard could that be?

Bryan

 

Use Bing search IE (WP 8.1) without opening Cortana?

No. Cortana is powered by Bing so the search results you get are from Bing.

If this is important to you; head over to the official user voice site to add (and vote for) suggestions:

http://windowsphone.uservoice.com/