Microsoft introduced a new out-of-box setup experience for Windows 10 in 2017 that prominently featured Cortana and encouraged users to use their voices to configure their devices for the first time. The issue with this feature is that many users did not want or require it, and Insiders have been quite vocal about this since its introduction.
As a result, the Cortana voice-over feature during setup will be disabled by default on Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions beginning with the next Windows 10 feature update, codenamed 19H1, and expected to launch in April.
Cortana voice-over will be disabled by default for Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions of Windows following user feedback. Users of screen readers can still launch Narrator at any time by pressing WIN+Ctrl+Enter.
Microsoft’s wording for this change suggests that users who want or require voice-over assistance will still be able to access it, but for the vast majority of users who do not, this feature will no longer be enabled by default. Cortana voice assistance will still be enabled during setup for Home users.
Check out our complete changelog for Windows 10 19H1, which we frequently update with the most recent changes and enhancements you can expect to see in the upcoming Windows 10 feature update.
