Microsoft is applying a bunch of significant changes to how users set up PCs powered by Windows 10.
The setup process involved with the operating system has become increasingly easier over time thanks to piecemeal refinements by Microsoft, but with the Windows 10 Creators Update — which can be downloaded and installed now — users may now use voice commands to get their PCs up and running.
How To Set Up Windows 10 Using Cortana
Brand-new PCs that'll ship with the Windows 10 Creators Update out of the box now include Cortana in the setup process, with the digital assistant guiding the user through the initial steps needed to get started. It'll help the user connect to Wi-Fi networks and sign in to a Microsoft account, for instance.
How To Perform A Clean Install Of Windows 10
The setup process with Cortana baked in also works if one performs a clean install of their machines. If you intend to perform a clean install, the easiest way is to reset your PC. Hit the Windows key, choose Settings, then go to the Update & Security option. Hit the Recovery tab, and under the "Reset this PC" tab should be a get started button. Click it. Choose the provided option to remove everything or to keep your files intact. You'll then be presented with the option to remove files or remove files and wipe the drive. Choose whatever is appropriate for your situation.
Finally, click reset and that's basically it. After a few minutes, you will have successfully performed a clean install of Windows 10. Cortana should show up at this point. Of course, if you find that Cortana isn't responding well to your voice commands, then you may very well jump in and use the keyboard, mouse, or trackpad at any point of the setup process. To be sure, Cortana is a neat process in the whole initial setup, and it's an important additional step in the increased presence of available voice control options.
The Push For Voice Control
Cortana is Microsoft's voice-enabled digital assistant, in competition with Apple's Siri, Google's Assistant, and Amazon's Alexa. The latter of the three is most commonly found on households via Amazon's Echo line of smart speakers. Recently, Amazon also made Alexa available on the iPhone via its shopping app, which might very well threaten Siri.
The three companies are all ferrying their voice assistants as alternative input methods to complement keyboard or mouse input, but Alexa has a leg up in that department, since the Echo range of devices are completely hands-free. Of course, while the key companies are making inroads in this kind of technology, there's still a ways to go before people actually prefer voice control over traditional input methods, let alone shun keyboards or mouse in favor of voice commands.
Any thoughts about Cortana being baked into the Windows 10 Creators Update setup process? Do you find Microsoft's proprietary virtual assistant useful? As always, feel free to sound off in the comments section below!
