Cortana is the most highlighted feature introduced by Microsoft in Windows 10. The digital voice assistant aimed to make things simpler. However, one element that mostly remained out of the reach of Cortana was the ability of Cortana to be able to shut down computers or put them to sleep or hibernate. However, Some tech enthusiasts found the workaround and were able to achieve this by making own shortcuts for the restart, log off, hibernate, sleep, lock or shut down(.exe file) and then giving the command to Cortana to execute the file.
Maybe Microsoft listened to these users and decided to integrate this feature in the Cortana’s default voice commands. Starting with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, you can shut down, restart, or sleep your PC just by saying any of these:
Hey Cortana — restart PC.
Hey Cortana — turn off PC.
Hey Cortana — sign out.
Hey Cortana — lock PC.
So, now to shut down your PC using voice, you have to just say – Hey Cortana — turn off PC. To execute these voice commands, you first need to ensure that you have the Fall creators update installed on your Windows 10 PC.
Also, make sure that Cortana is enabled. Open the Settings app, then click Cortana. Here, click the Hey Cortana slider to switch it on (see screenshot below).
The sliders below (Keyboard shortcut and Lock Screen) let you launch Cortana by pressing Windows key+C, and use it when your PC is locked.
To tell your PC what to do, open Cortana by saying Hey Cortana or by using the keyboard shortcut, then say ‘Hey Cortana, shut down/sign out of/Restart/lock my PC’.
To prevent the accidental shutdown, restart, or sign out, Cortana will ask you for voice confirmation when using these commands. Cortana will prompt you to confirm the action. Say Yes and Cortana will take action on the basis of your voice command.
If you switch on the Lock Screen slider, you can carry out these voice commands even when your PC is locked. If Cortana doesn’t recognize the commands, it’s likely because you’re not running the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. These new voice commands are available starting Windows 10 build 16251.