Windows 10: Cortana and settings options disappeared

I recently noticed my task bar was emptier than before, and I realized cortana was missing. This led me to try and figure out why and I browsed many forums, and while looking at them I realized my settings in general were far more empty than everyone else's, many options just disappeared. My cortana search bar turned into just a regular search bar, and when I would try to search "cortana" to possibly turn it back on, the only result was "cortana & search settings." When I would click on that it would bring me to a virtually empty search settings page, with the only mention of cortana being a link saying "Learn more about Cortana & Search." I have attached a screenshot of my settings, any help is appreciated


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:)

 

No settings option in Cortana.

On windows 10

Cortana, menu top left, notebook, settings.

 

No settings option in Cortana.

There is not 'Settings' option in my Cortana menu. Please advise how to enable reading text messages?

***Moderator's note: Post has been split from the original thread***

 

Hi matrixxninja and welcome to Ten Forums.

Very unusual that there is no sign of Cortana. Is your language/region set to one that Cortana supports? Also have you updated to the latest W10 anniversary update? (If the 'all apps' button is shown in start, you need to update)

Can you also check Task Manager to see if a process called 'Cortana' is running? (Just to check if its on or off)

Finally are there any other settings missing? Sometimes system restore can help as well *Wink

 

My region and language is United states, english. One of the suggested solutions on the other forums I browsed was to update windows, so I had it check for updates and it said my windows was fully up to date. There is no process called "cortana" in my task manager, and lastly, I am unsure if my other settings are missing. Some screenshots I saw of other peoples settings had way more options than mine, not only on the settings page I was viewing, but they had many more icons running down the left hand side, while I only have the home icon.

 

Have you been able to use Cortana before and have you experienced any problems with it then?
What about trying a system restore?

Also this could be of some use to you: Cortana Search Box Windows 10
I would particually suggest step 3 and see if the problem still remains with a new user account.

 

I have the same issue, Cortana and Cortana's settings have disappeared, the process is still running, however, I have no way to re-activate anything

 

Welcome to Ten Forums ChemicalRage *Smile

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Does a new user account fix the problem? We can then identify if it's just the account or the whole computer feature of Cortana.

 

Hi, this may give you a clue. Your Cortana may be disabled (unless sthg is broken). If you click on 'See in detail' it will open a page where the means by which Cortana is disabled is shown. (Or you could just find it on his site)

This may help you to enable it- or if you were very lucky, you'd find the box checked in the GUI- and just uncheck it.




A very useful free tweaker- v. good reputation, updated regularly, free.

Otherwise:
- You could try re-registering Cortana (see Tutorial section, search re-register)
- You could do an in-place upgrade repair (which keeps all programs and most settings).