How to remove Cortana (beta) app from Windows 10 May 2020 (20H1) update?

[SM03]

Hello,
Is there any way to remove /disable the new 'CORTANA (BETA)' app that's present in the Windows 10 May 2020 (20H1) update ISO without disabling the 'Shell Search' functionality?



I don't use CORTANA so need to remove that, & I know that CORTANA APP is locked by the Shell Search compatibility feature, but I don't wanna disable that 'Shell Search' as that 'd disable the searching functionality in START (tried & tested)

If there is any way to remove the app without disabling the ShellSearch, suggest me that, if not, then requesting nuhi to take a look in this case & if possible do something to make this happen.

 

[SM03]

I uninstall it via CCleaner. Do yoi think removing it with NTLite when possible might break Search?

as you read in the earlier comment in this very thread that the dev nuhi himself confirm (said) here that

"You can uncheck just Cortana compatibility, and the Cortana itself, Start search works in Win10 2004 without it (keep Shell Search of course).
If you see any different, please attach a preset."

While IDK exactly how as I am not able to remove that Cortana (Beta) app from Win10 v2004 ISO from NTLite (without disabling shell search compatibility) so I asked him (nuhi) furthermore here for more explanation just before your comment in this thread .

 

[Windows 10 User]

as you read in the earlier comment in this very thread that the dev nuhi himself confirm (said) here that

"You can uncheck just Cortana compatibility, and the Cortana itself, Start search works in Win10 2004 without it (keep Shell Search of course).
If you see any different, please attach a preset."

While IDK exactly how as I am not able to remove that Cortana (Beta) app from Win10 v2004 ISO from NTLite (without disabling shell search compatibility) so I asked him (nuhi) furthermore here for more explanation just before your comment in this thread .

It works but with some problems like items showing up with different icons and not finding some typed items like winver.

 

[SM03]

It works but with some problems like items showing up different icons and not finding some searched items.

While I don't know & understand what's your issue exactly, I don't have any problem after uninstalling Cortana beta app via Revo, nevertheless, the start search also works fine, no other issue, maybe y to be more articulated while describing your issue by written here. your sentences are sounds empty & incomplete to me.

 

[Windows 10 User]

While I don't know & understand what's your issue exactly, I don't have any problem after uninstalling Cortana beta app via Revo, nevertheless, the start search also works fine, no other issue, maybe y to be more articulated while describing your issue by written here. your sentences are sounds empty & incomplete to me.

I was talking about removing Cortana with NTLite, not removing the Cortana app after installing Windows (in my case, with CCleaner). After removing Cortana with NTLite, I had some problems: after typing "winver" in the Start Menu, it had no results, after typing "control panel" in the Start Menu, it showed up with a different icon, after searching for a local file in the Start Menu, it also had no results, and after searching anything in the Settings app, it had no results too.

 

[SM03]

I was talking about removing Cortana with NTLite, not removing the Cortana app after installing Windows (in my case, with CCleaner). If I type "winver", it has no results, for instance. If I type "control panel", it shows up with a different icon.

then you messed up with the shell search or search functionality/feature. in my case, I disabled CORTANA completely by disabling all the four Cortana option from privacy settings that I mention & posted here

And also removed the Cortana beta app that's including since win10 v2004 ISO version via 3rd party app

still, everything works here. including winver & all with the proper icon

Here I am just trying to find is there any way to remove that Cortana app from the ISO directly or not (of course without disabling the shell search)

if your issue is different then post your issue separately here in this forum.

 

[Windows 10 User]

then you messed up with the shell search or search functionality/feature. in my case, I disabled CORTANA completely by disabling all the four Cortana option from privacy settings that I mention & posted here

And also removed the Cortana beta app that's including since win10 v2004 ISO version via 3rd party app

still, everything works here. including winver & all with the proper icon

Here I am just trying to find is there any way to remove that Cortana app from the ISO directly or not (of course without disabling the shell search)

if your issue is different then post your issue separately here in this forum.

I also disabled those 4 Cortana settings as well as the Shell Search and Cortana compatibilities, left Cortana checked and after installing Windows removed the new Cortana app with CCleaner and it still works. It only doesn't if I uncheck Cortana too. If I could uncheck Cortana and remove the new Cortana app (or at least only the nee Cortana app) with Search still working it would be great.

 

[AeonX]

Spoiler

 

[Windows 10 User]

Spoiler

I disabled the Shell Search and Cortana compatibilities and Windows Search still works.

 

[AeonX]

I disabled the Shell Search compatibility and Windows Search still works.

Yes, Shell Search compatibility only prevents you from removing any necessary components for Search in File Explorer but unchecking it does not mean that Shell Search will stop working.

 

[SM03]

Spoiler

so, if I do this, the search functionality from START directly, & from the new improved File Explorer search that's introduced since 1909 will not be effected?

 

[AeonX]

so, if I do this, the search functionality from START directly, & from the new improved File Explorer search that's introduced since 1909 will not be effected?

No, they will work normally, as long as you do not remove the Search App in System Apps.

 

[dennisfong86]

I have also verified that removing Cortana, the search function for finding local files etc still works.

But functions like "winver" is broken. Not sure why, or winver is part of the Cortana app.

 

[Windows 10 User]

SM03, Cortana is not locked out by Shell Search as it is under it:
Shell Search
-- Cortana

You can uncheck just Cortana compatibility, and the Cortana itself, Start search works in Win10 2004 without it (keep Shell Search of course).
If you see any different, please attach a preset.

Thanks.

I still have the new Cortana app after unchecking the Shell Search and Cortana compatibilities.

 

[SM03]

I have also verified that removing Cortana, the search function for finding local files etc still works.

But functions like "winver" is broken. Not sure why, or winver is part of the Cortana app.

I still have the new Cortana app after unchecking the Shell Search and Cortana compatibilities.

nuhi & AeonX

After seeing that above feedback provided by two different users confirming the opposite fact (of what you guys have said/claimed) that removing CORTANA via unchecking the ShellSearch Compatibility breaks the search functionality directly from START i.e. 'WINVER', what'd you say regarding?

 

[Windows 10 User]

nuhi & AeonX

After seeing that above feedback provided by two different users confirming the opposite fact (of what you guys have said/claimed) that removing CORTANA via unchecking the ShellSearch Compatibility breaks the search functionality directly from START i.e. 'WINVER', what'd you say regarding?

Do you also have this problem? I have it since 1903 (I'm on 2004) and another user confirmed it. Nuhi doesn't have it. Since then my preset also changed (like the Windows version) and I still have it but nuhi doesn't reply me if he has problems with my latest preset and in 2004.

Also, how can I remove these annoying prompts? I already disabled all notifications on Windows and I still have them from time to time. I described this problem here.

 

[AeonX]

After seeing that above feedback provided by two different users confirming the opposite fact (of what you guys have said/claimed) that removing CORTANA via unchecking the ShellSearch Compatibility breaks the search functionality directly from START i.e. 'WINVER', what'd you say regarding?

I haven't tested this myself. But in all builds the Search App was responsible for the search in the Start menu and from version 1909 onwards it became responsible for the search in File Explorer as well. Before Cortana was part of the Search App but this was split from the Search App in the version 2004. So in theory keeping the Search App the search in the Start menu and in File Explorer should work.

I will try to test this and report here.

 

[dennisfong86]

nuhi & AeonX

After seeing that above feedback provided by two different users confirming the opposite fact (of what you guys have said/claimed) that removing CORTANA via unchecking the ShellSearch Compatibility breaks the search functionality directly from START i.e. 'WINVER', what'd you say regarding?

I am not sure if we are talking about the same thing or in link with one another.

In the Compatibility settings, that is there created by the developer to protect us from removing unnecessary stuff if we need specific functions. Compatibility functions will overwrite any settings you do or will disable the options in the individual removal tick box.

So if you want to remove Cortana, and have the options enable under the Remove/Components/Windows Apps/Apps/Cortana, then you have to untick the Cortana in Compatibility, while keeping the Shell Search there. You don't have to untick Shell Search to untick Cortana, its just a child function of Shell Search. Just untick the Cortana and leave the rest as it is, and Shell search is still protected by the compatibility protection function.

Next, once you have unticked the Cortana in Compatibility settings, under the Remove/Components/Windows Apps/Apps/Cortana, the Cortana will be in the list enabled(not dull). And here you can choose to remove Cortana or keep it.

So my test is the removal of Cortana in Remove/Components/Windows Apps/Apps/Cortana, and this will break functions like WINVER(when you type WINVER in the search, you can't find this anymore), any other more functions are broken, I am still not sure yet.

But local file search and search functions are working as it is. Thus depending on your objective. For sure local file search is still working well.

 

[SM03]

I am not sure if we are talking about the same thing or in link with one another.

First, let me clear my objective, I want the Corata (beta) app to be removed from the Win ISO, without disabling the local file search functionality from the start or the file explorer.

So if you want to remove Cortana, and have the options enable under the systems --> apps options, then you have to untick the Cortana, while keeping the shell search there. You don't have to untick shell search to untick Cortana, its just a child function of shell search. Just untick the Cortana and leave it as it is, and shell search is still protected by the compatibility function.

Next, once you have unticked the Cortana in Compatibility settings, under the removal --> system --> apps, the Cortana will be in the list enabled. And here you can choose to remove Cortana or keep it.

So my test is the removal of Cortana in removal --> system --> apps, and this will break functions like WINVER(when you type WINVER in the search, you can't find this anymore), any other more functions are broken, I am still not sure yet.

But local file search and search functions are working as it is. Thus depending on your objective. For sure local file search is still working well.

Your comment is confusing because the path & option you mentioned isn't correct.

Firstly, the Cortana App is located under this path
Remove/Component/Windows Apps/App -> CORTANA which is locked by the 'Shell Search/Cortana' compatibility

So, unless anyone unchecking the 'Shell Search/Cortana' option first from 'Compatibility', the 'Cortana' app can't be unchecked/disabled in order to remove from the Win ISO.

I don't understand where did you find these paths/options as you mentioned in your comment

removal --> system --> apps

Maybe re-phrasing your comment would help us to understand what you want to say actually & about your findings.

P.S: I did remove that Cortana app in earlier win versions prior to the v2004, that breaks the search functionality, but since MSFT split the app from v2004, am yet to test that, hopefully, in this week, am waiting for nuhi to release a new NTLite version actually, for two weeks & more, hope this week, we ll get that.

 

[SM03]

I haven't tested this myself. But in all builds the Search App was responsible for the search in the Start menu and from version 1909 onwards it became responsible for the search in File Explorer as well. Before Cortana was part of the Search App but this was split from the Search App in the version 2004. So in theory keeping the Search App the search in the Start menu and in File Explorer should work.

I will try to test this and report here.

Yeah, IKTR.

& same here, I did remove that Cortana app in earlier win versions prior to the v2004, that breaks the search functionality, but since MSFT split the app from v2004, am yet to test that, hopefully, in this week, am waiting for nuhi to release a new NTLite version actually, for two weeks & more, hope this week, we ll get that.

As you said that you will try & test, so here it is,

In Win10 v2004 ISO, just remove the Cortana app from Remove/Component/Windows Apps/App -> CORTANA
which is locked by the 'Shell Search/Cortana' under compatibility, so you have to uncheck those first.

& Make the ISO & see whether the local file searching is working in both place, start & file explorer & command like WINVER is also working directly from start or not.

I'll test the same & revert here

 

[SM03]

I think we're talking about different things. I unchecked those two compatibilities but didn't remove Cortana in the Apps (or System Apps or whatever it's called) tab and I have no problems in the Start Menu. If I uncheck these compatibilities and remove Cortana I have problems in it. In both scenarios I have the new Cortana app (which shows up in the Start Menu).

Anyway, do you also have this problem? I have it since 1903 (I'm on 2004) and another user confirmed it. Nuhi doesn't have it. Since then my preset also changed (like the Windows version) and I still have it but nuhi doesn't reply me if he has problems with my latest preset and in 2004.

Also, how can I remove these annoying prompts? I already disabled all notifications on Windows and I still have them from time to time. I described this problem here.

I don't have any of the issues that you mentioned here, neither I ever faced.

And for Cortana, I already told what's my issue & what's exactly I am looking for & seeking for in the earlier two of my comments above, requesting to read those as I don't wanna write the same again.