Windows 10: How to Disable Permanently Cortana?

I have a Toshiba 64-bit laptop running Windows 10 Home.
Some time ago, I spent DAYS getting Cortana disabled and turned off on my laptop. And now after this last update, MS in it's infinite stupidity has turned it back on.
I've looked at instructions on the internet on how to do disable it and they say to click on an icon on the taskbar. That doesn't exist on my computer.
I went into Settings and turned everything I could find pertaining to Cortana OFF but it is still running in the Task Manager and, of course, when I turn it off there, it starts right back up again.
I bought and paid for this computer and I wish MS would stop acting like it belongs to them and stop fixing things that aren't broken.
And this follows right on the heels of MS updating my email account without notifying me and as a result lost about 400 of my emails with no way to retrieve them.
I am not a happy camper.
Please do not give me Techie directions on how to do this. I'm not a Techie. I need simple 1, 2, 3 instructions. Actually, what I need is for MS to stop screwing with my computer.
You cannot imagine how aggravating it is to spend more time fixing MS problems than problems with all other applications combined.
Thank you for any help you can give me.

:)

 

Windows Defender Real-time protection

I'm not sure, but you can disable it permanently if you wish:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-permanently-...

 

How to permanently disable Windows Update notifications

Thank you for that link again, Alex.

Problem: To store in Cloud on Demand, which would be ideal, I need the 1709 version of Windows. I have vsn. 1511 that can't be updated for lack of space (all unnecessary files have been removed). Viewing storage, everything is stored on C drive. I'll
need to delve further into this.

How to just totally remove phone, music etc, empty files. Most of the apps are not removable, and some like App Connector, Phone, Phone companion, Sway, Movie, TV, Maps, X Box (I don't have an X box) Microsoft wifi (my wifi is Linksys, so do I still
need the MSFT wifi too?) I am not sure about their vital need for the notebook to stay alive.

I have the Magic Jack VOIP and no cell. Do I need to keep the MSFT Phon and phone companion for that?

Thank you for your patience. This lack of GB is driving me bananas.

 

Hi, the Tutorial section is worth getting to know. It is full of detailed guides. This may help
Cortana - Enable or Disable in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

However, it's really simple if you never want to see Cortana:
Rt click the taskbar.
Click on Cortana
Click Hidden

Now you should never be aware of it, other perhaps than a start menu entry.
I never normally use it.

 

Take ownership of the following folder and rename it or remove it.

%WINDIR%\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy

But note, that some update might restore it, so you will need to repeat it.

Take Ownership - Add to Context Menu in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

When you are going to rename/remove it, you will need to stop the process "SearchUI.exe".
The thing is, that persistent pest process will restart itself within 2-3 seconds automatically.

Click on the folder and select rename/remove it, it will says, it can not, because it is open, keep that error window open. End "SearchUI.exe" in task manager and click fast on "Try Again". If you need to restore it, just run SFC scan.

SFC Command - Run in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

 

As I said in my original question, I found that solution on the internet but there is no Cortana icon on my Taskbar. So this won't work for me.

 

Have you actually looked at the tutorial? (the URL). You don't mention it.

Saying there's no icon on the taskbar is a different case to the very simple set of instructions I posted, which is exactly what you sought- sthg simple.

Cortana can have
1 just a circular icon on the taskbar
2 a search field on the taskbar
3 nothing on the taskbar.

Given that, saying there's no icon still leaves possibilities 2 & 3.

So if nothing pertaining to Cortana exists on your taskbar, what is it you are trying to disable functionally? Cortana on your lock screen? Hey Cortana? Anyway, you have the tutorial (the link) so please see what you make of that.

 

Cortana sucks and so does Bing. Setting up a new PC I was first forced to use Cortana just wanted to download the 64-bit version of Firefox and Bing gave me the link to the 32-bit version and a bunch of shady download sites. Used Google and got the proper Mozilla link here.

 

I looked at the URL ( Cortana - Enable or Disable in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums) BEFORE I ever posted my question. I thought I said that, but maybe not. I have wasted so many hours of my life on this that I will never get back. I have a pounding headache and am literally sick of MS fornicating with my computer.

Back to the URL, I can't do option 1, no icon. I tried option 2, turned off the Cortana options in settings and it did not work. I tried the suggestions made by TairikuOkami about taking ownership of certain files and deleting them. Cortana is the demon that will not die.

I want Cortana to disappear from my computer and stop showing up in Task Manager and consuming memory. How hard can that be? Evidently pretty damn hard.

I do appreciate the suggestions but OMG what a mess thanks to MS.

 

You are so right about Cortana and Bing. Neither one is worth having.
You're right about cats too. They do make the best pets, with dogs being second, and men being third. No offense to any of you wonderful guys out there. LOL.
I have 3 cats and 4 dogs. With seven furry kids, who has time for men.