📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses issues with Cortana and microphone functionality on a Surface Pro 4 after the Windows 10 Creators Update. The original poster is confused about the missing Cortana icon and microphone, and questions whether these changes indicate a problem with their device. Respondent suggests that Cortana may be disabled via Group Policy settings in Windows 10 Pro and advises enabling it through the Group Policy Editor, along with checking privacy settings for microphone access, implying that the issues can typically be resolved through these configurations.

Todhunter5

New Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2017
Messages
1
Thread Author #1
On both the all setting page and from the help screen. Also the microphone does not appear either Recently did the creators update but had to use the Upgrade assistant tool as it failed over several weeks other wise.

I do now have a microphone on my tablet screen keyboard that does appear to interact with Email app where I can dictate text instead of typing it. The functionality at this point appears to be sketchy but that may be because I can't figure out to use this new feature.

I once had the hey cortano feature activated and had turned it off.

Is there any better documentation on this anywhere that I can find,. I am very lost and confused. This is not a game breaker however but a very large irritant.

Questions: Should I have lost the Cortana Icon in the general settings:
Is there anything wrong with my machine now Surface Pro 4. Every thing else seems to work just fine,

Thank you
 

Solution
Since this is a Surface Pro it should have Windows 10 Pro which has group policy available. If you see no mic icon, you most likely have Cortana disabled.

Check the following
  • Press [Windows key + r]
  • Type gpedit.msc
  • Expand 'Computer Configuration' > 'Administrative Templates' > 'Windows Components' > Search
  • Locate the setting 'Allow Cortana' and set it to either 'Not configured or Enabled'
  • Reboot and Cortana should be on
You may also need to go into privacy settings and enable applications to use the microphone if you disabled that too.

Neemobeer

Windows Forum Team
Staff member
Joined
Jul 4, 2015
Messages
8,995
Since this is a Surface Pro it should have Windows 10 Pro which has group policy available. If you see no mic icon, you most likely have Cortana disabled.

Check the following
  • Press [Windows key + r]
  • Type gpedit.msc
  • Expand 'Computer Configuration' > 'Administrative Templates' > 'Windows Components' > Search
  • Locate the setting 'Allow Cortana' and set it to either 'Not configured or Enabled'
  • Reboot and Cortana should be on
You may also need to go into privacy settings and enable applications to use the microphone if you disabled that too.
 

Solution