Cortana beta for Windows 10 adds section to manage Cortana devices

By Dan Thorp-Lancaster
published

Now you can manage Cortana with your Xbox One, Surface Headphones, and Amazon Alexa devices all in one spot.

Cortana Beta Hardware Section
Cortana Beta Hardware Section (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • The Cortana beta for Windows 10 added a new hardware section to its settings.
  • The section gives you quick access to managing devices that use Cortana.
  • Xbox One, Surface Headphones, and Amazon Alexa devices can all be interacted with through this new settings menu.

The Cortana beta app for Windows 10 reveived a fresh update today that adds a new hardware section to the settings menu. The section allows you to jump in and manage any of the Cortana devices you may use. That includes things like your Xbox One, Surface Headphones, and even Amazon Alexa devices you have connected to Cortana.

When you first open the hardware section, you'll see a list of devices you already have connected. You can click through to each to manage different settings with each device. It also gives you a shortcut to setting up Surface Headphones for the first time, directing you to the Microsoft Store to download the Cortana Device Setup app.

The arrival of the new settings section comes at a good time for Surface fans in particular. It's widely expected, due to recent leaks, that Microsoft will soon launch Surface Headphones 2, which, like their predecessor, should feature Cortana integration. Surface Earbuds, which were delayed late last year, are expected to launch soon as well.

If you're using the Cortana beta app, you can update to version 2.2004.22762.0 (opens in new tab) to check out the new hardware settings.

Dan Thorp-Lancaster
Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl. 

23 Comments
  • It now doesn't work with Office365 email accounts that use data encryption which makes it totally useless for enterprise users.
  • US only I'm guessing, as per usual. This is not available here in the UK, app got updated today
  • You are not losing out on anything, in my opinion. Cortana use to be useful years ago but now, it is stillborn.
  • Seems that it works with invokes and alexa devices. That is promising that Smarthome is returning.
  • They're working on Cortana internationally according to a February 2020 post.
    https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2020/02/28/cortana-in-the-up...
  • Manage what Corona devices? Are they serious?
  • I am very happy with this, since I have 4 Invokes and actually use them. And maybe Surface Headphones for my birthday :)
  • I bought three. I use one of them, saving the other two until I get a bigger place or the first one dies. I love my Invoke.
  • They killed Cortana integration with Xbox... and now its is showing here? Is this a late April fools day joke? Nothing but Windows 10 uses Cortana now so why is this even a thing?
  • Wrong. There's Harman Karmon Invokes, Surface Headphones and Earbuds, Glass thermostats, smartphones, etc.
  • And on my father's day and birthday list is the Surface Headphones 2!!
  • I've said it before, but all I want is for Microsoft and Samsung to combine Bixby and Cortana. The biggest reason Cortana failed is because there was no mobile presence. The reason Bixby is failing is because it sucks. What I really want is what Cortana used to be but more ways to use it. I don't even care what they call it, just not Bixby because it's even more toxic than Cortana.
  • I still have invoke speaker and I use Cortana exclusively on my S10+.
  • Not for long. 🤪
  • Huh.. I updated my Cortana beta app win10 and it is version 2.2004.24766.0
  • The best I could get was "Wake word invocation is currently unavailable and will be included in a future update". Very annoying. Unusable if not voice invoked. Version 24766.
  • This is definitely US only as it's missing on my PCs as well
  • They're working on releasing Cortana internationally according to a February 2020 post.
    https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2020/02/28/cortana-in-the-up...
  • Hi - mine is only working with my personal account, if I log into the "work or school account" the hardware section is missing.
  • Augustaville, Do you have any "hardware" listed there?
  • Let me guess. you're in the US?
  • Now Cortana isn't letting me sign in, I keep clicking the Sign In button but nothing is happening
  • Any ideas when this will be released? Since this fixes some of the issues with the May 2020 update