{"id":44868,"date":"2019-07-09T21:15:31","date_gmt":"2019-07-09T13:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/?p=44868"},"modified":"2022-10-18T18:20:45","modified_gmt":"2022-10-18T10:20:45","slug":"make-cortana-do-custom-chores-in-windows-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/make-cortana-do-custom-chores-in-windows-10\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Run Custom Tasks in Windows 10 with Cortana"},"content":{"rendered":"

I enjoy speaking commands to Cortana on my Windows PC. However, there are certain tasks Cortana cannot do<\/strong>. And so, I went on to find a way to do more with Cortana<\/a> without waiting for Microsoft to add more commands.<\/p>\n

My goal was to extend the functionality of Cortana and fortunately, it allows to call or run any script or program<\/strong> installed on the computer, so that means I can create a batch or shell script or create my own program to do almost anything. Alright, let\u2019s get on with it.<\/p>\n

Read Also:<\/strong> 10 Windows 10 Tips to Boost Productivity<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cHey Cortana, open\u2026\u201d<\/h2>\n

I usually say \u201cHey Cortana, open Chrome<\/em>\u201d to open Google Chrome<\/a>, and this is the same command that came to my rescue in this situation. I figured out it can not just open system tools<\/a> (like Task Scheduler) or installed programs<\/a> (like Google Chrome), but can run any shortcut present in the Start menu<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

That means, such a shortcut can point to any program or script \u2014 even custom ones.<\/p>\n

How to create custom shortcut in Start menu<\/h3>\n

As any shortcut in the Start menu can be executed by Cortana, so here\u2019s how you can create it:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Press Win<\/span> + R<\/span> keys to open the Run window.<\/li>\n
  2. Type shell:programs<\/code> in the window, then click OK<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    \"Open<\/figure>\n
  3. File Explorer will open showing \u201cStart Menu > Programs\u201d<\/strong> folder.<\/li>\n
  4. Right-click on an empty area ><\/strong> choose New<\/strong> and select Shortcut<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    \"Choose Shortcut\u201d\/><\/figure>\n
  5. A Create Shortcut<\/strong> window will show up where you need to give details.<\/li>\n
  6. In \u2018Type the location of the item\u2019 textbox, you need to enter a command or the path<\/strong> of a program or script you wish to run. You can also click the Browse<\/strong> button and choose the program or script file interactively.<\/li>\n
    <\/figure>\n
  7. When you are done entering the path, just click the Next<\/strong> button.<\/li>\n
  8. Now you need to give a name to your shortcut<\/strong>. I will suggest to keep it meaningful and speakable because this will be the command you must say to Cortana to run your custom task. For example, if I give \u2018Sesame\u2019 as the name of my shortcut, then I need to say \u201cHey Cortana, open Sesame<\/em>\u201c.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"Enter<\/figure>\n

    How to place custom shortcut in Start menu<\/h3>\n

    We can also place a shortcut in Start menu, if we already have one. Although this method does not work for commands but we can create shortcuts for programs or scripts easy way<\/strong> and then place that shortcut in the Start menu.<\/p>\n

    Follow the below steps to quick-create as well as place a shortcut:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Right-click any program<\/strong> or script you wish to create shortcut for.<\/li>\n
    2. You will see the context menu ><\/strong> choose \u2018Create shortcut<\/strong>\u2018 option.<\/li>\n
      \"Create<\/figure>\n
    3. Now you will see a new shortcut along with the program or script.<\/li>\n
    4. Right-click the shortcut, choose \u2018Rename<\/strong>\u2018 from the option list.<\/li>\n
      \"Rename<\/figure>\n
    5. Type in a purposeful and speakable name<\/strong> for the shortcut. This will be the name you will use to tell Cortana to execute it. For example, if you name it \u2018Secret\u2019, then you must say \u201cHey Cortana, open Secret<\/em>\u201d to run it.<\/li>\n
    6. Now press the Win<\/span> + R<\/span> keys and you will see the Run window.<\/li>\n
    7. Enter shell:programs<\/code> in the window and click the OK<\/strong> button.<\/li>\n
      \"Type<\/figure>\n
    8. You will see the File Explorer with \u201cStart Menu > Programs\u201d folder.<\/li>\n
    9. Now cut the shortcut created in step #2 and paste it in this folder.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \"Paste<\/figure>\n

      Custom Tasks<\/h2>\n

      Run a command \/ program<\/h3>\n

      If you wish to run a command<\/a> or a command-line program (say CCleaner<\/a>) by just speaking to Cortana, then you can use this method. Follow the aforementioned steps under \u2018Create a shortcut in Start menu\u2019 and while doing its step #6<\/strong>, enter the full command in the \u2018Type the location of the item\u2019 field.<\/p>\n

      For example, if you need to create a shortcut to hibernate your computer, then you need to give the following command shutdown \/h<\/code> in step #6. Also, if you name the shortcut as \u201chibernate me\u201d, then whenever you need to hibernate, you can just speak \u201cHey Cortana, open <\/em>hibernate me<\/em><\/strong>\u201d to Cortana.<\/p>\n

      \"Create<\/figure>\n

      Moreover, let\u2019s say you need to clean your computer using CCleaner, then you can use its command-line options to ease the cleaning process. You only need to replace the command<\/strong> in the above example to \"C:\\Program Files\\CCleaner\\CCleaner.exe\" \/AUTO<\/code> (it works only if CCleaner is installed in that location) and name it \u201cautoclean me\u201d, then just say \u201cHey Cortana, open <\/em>autoclean me<\/em><\/strong>\u201d to clean your system using this maintenance tool.<\/p>\n

      \n\t\t\t\t\tHow to Deep-clean Your PC with CCleaner<\/span><\/a>\n
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t