The idea of using voice assistant in Windows operating systems is not new. For the first time, this approach was applied in the eighth version of the OS, more precisely in 8.1. The tool for the user is quite interesting, especially when you consider that using Cortana, you can search for files, get hints about performing certain actions, or change settings. However, not everyone knows how to turn on Cortana on Windows 10. But this is not even the main thing. The question is whether the assistant can speak Russian.
How to enable "Cortana" in Russian, and is it possible to do this?
A virtual assistant was included in the main Windows 10 toolkit. True, many users who tried to activate it in the territory of the former Soviet Union received (and get) errors. Why is that?
Yes, only because this tool still does not have support for the Russian language for stationary or mobile Windows-systems. In addition, any attempt to install Cortana into legacy OSs will not succeed. Microsoft developers vowed that a full-fledged Russian-language version will be available by the fall of 2016, but so far there is no information on the release date of this software product.
Inexplicably lucky users of the United States, Japan, China, Australia and some European countries who received an assistant, so to speak, "hot". Unsurprisingly, support is limited to only six languages:
- English;
- Deutsch;
- Italian;
- Spanish;
- French;
- Chinese.
Thus, the solution to the problem of how to enable Cortana on Windows 10 boils down to choosing the foreign language that is closer and more understandable to the user. But this is far from the main thing.
How to enable Cortana on Windows 10: basic conditions
Everything would be fine, but an attempt to activate the same English version does not lead to anything, although the user is firmly convinced that he wants to use English or American.
Again, the problem is that the default operating system interface in our regions uses exactly the Russian language, so the English-speaking assistant does not understand the system settings. The conclusion suggests itself: in order for Cortana to speak, you need to change the language of the system. Only in this case, she will begin to give answers to requests or recommendations, despite the fact that, in theory, she should recognize the question without it.
Install the system language and voice packages
Now directly on how to turn on Cortana. First of all, you need to change the language settings of the system. If you know, for example, English and in the future you will communicate with an assistant on it, you should not have problems with the OS settings.
So, in the question of how to turn on “Cortana”, first we use the options menu, in which we go to the section of time and languages, in which we turn to the region and language, select English and set it as the default language.
Further, for the assistant to work fully, it is necessary to additionally download the corresponding language pack. The problem of how to enable Cortana cannot be resolved without this, since initially there are no such packages in the system. To do this, in the window for changing the system language, go to the parameters (the button to the right) and load the speech file. Once the download is complete, you can proceed to further settings.
Voice recognition
In order for the assistant to understand you, you need to enable voice recognition. This operation is performed in the previous window and is performed to confirm the priority of the selected language.
For a more correct work of the assistant, it is advisable to use emphasis recognition. This is done for those cases when you do not own the perfect pronunciation or use some specific dialect. Upon completion of all settings, it is highly recommended that you perform a complete system reboot.
Activation settings
Now, in the matter of how to turn on the Cortana, you need to activate the assistant. This option is available from the Search menu, where the button with the image of the gear is pressed and the item “Cortana can give you ...” is activated.
This is a mode of hints, ideas, reminders, etc. After that, you can start communication in the selected language.
In principle, many users are advised to use an equally effective activation method, which consists in using the “Hey, Cortana” command, which can be enabled through a search with the transition to the settings and activating the “Let's Cortana respond ...” item.
Enable assistant on mobile devices
If we talk about how to enable "Cortana" on a phone with Windows Phone on board, the actions are practically no different from those that are performed on stationary systems.
First, the system language changes (“Notification Center” / “All Settings”), then the US region is selected, then the smartphone restarts, and then Cortana appears in the application list, which can be used. If you return to the Russian interface, the assistant will automatically turn off.
Finally
As it was already possible to understand, activation of “Cortana” is possible only if the language of the system and the region of residence are changed. When the Russian version appears, it’s hard to say, since Microsoft official representatives themselves are silent on this issue. There is information that the Russian-language version is being finalized, but nothing is known about the timing of its release. On the other hand, developers can be understood, because for that short period from the moment of introducing the idea itself, it was difficult to make an assistant, so to speak, a polyglot that would speak most of the most common languages. So you have to wait.