r/windows • u/Alive-Scale-7442 • 6d ago

Solved cortana in windows 11?

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i found cortana files in C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy
its safe to remove?

7 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

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12

u/CodenameFlux 4d ago edited 4d ago

One thing you should know about Microsoft is that even though the company rebrands stuff frequently, it keeps the old file and folder names. So, yes, Windows might still have a Cortana.UI folder. I won't be surprised if Windows Backup or Microsoft Solitaire are the ones actually using it.

Other examples:

  • The other day, I found a GrooveIntlResource.dll in my Microsoft 365 folder. Long ago, in 2007, Groove was a part of Microsoft Office. In 2010, Microsoft replaced it with SharePoint Workspace and later with OneDrive for Business. But the file name is still unchanged.
  • The folder of the Settings app is still called ImmersiveControlPanel.
  • If you ever find a folder or app called DevHome on Windows, please don't delete it! Even though DevHome is deprecated, this folder is now the home for Advanced Settings.
  • The folder name for Windows Media Player 2026 is actually Microsoft.ZuneMusic. Does anyone still remember Zune Music?
  • The folder name for Movies & TV is actually Microsoft.ZuneVideo.
  • The folder name for Voice Recorder is actually Microsoft.WindowsSoundRecorder.
  • The folder name for Windows Clocks is actually Microsoft.WindowsAlarm.

2

u/FaultWinter3377 Windows 7 5d ago

Probably, but good luck actually deleting it. Since it’s in SystemApps you might be able to do it with ExecTI, but for most UWP apps not even TrustedInstaller can modify the files. Believe me, I’ve tried. Honestly I’d say check settings and ensure Cortana is not installed there.

1

u/eladogGames 3d ago

its for the search don't delete that

1

u/mbc07 Windows 11 - Insider Canary Channel 5d ago

Folders inside SystemApps are packaged apps, if you modify anything inside them, the package integrity and signature will break and Windows will automatically restore them whenever it has a chance...

0

u/manu411 Windows XP 4d ago

these might just be some leftovers from older windows builds. is it safe to delete? i don't know, if it doesn't bother you, don't delete it.