14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is betting big on personal assistant Cortana, and the next step seems to be integrating it into the Windows installer to make it possible for users to deploy the operating system on devices where voice is the only input method.
A report from WindowsCentral reveals that Microsoft is working on this integration already and chances are it’ll be part of a future Insider build due in January.
Basically, the purpose is to make it possible for Windows 10 to be installed simply using voice commands, and Cortana is the easiest method to do that. This way, Microsoft plans to make it simpler for users to deploy the OS without touching a mouse and keyboard.
Mouse and keyboard support still available
It goes without saying that users will still be allowed to use touch or the mouse and keyboard if they are available, but with Cortana, they can simply say “Next” and have the personal assistant advance to the next step in the Windows installation screen.
Most likely, this new feature will be released to insiders in one of the next builds before everyone gets it with the debut of the Creators Update in the spring of 2017. The Windows Insider program is currently on pause as the team is on holiday, but it will resume in the first weeks of January with new builds for participants.
Microsoft is projected to complete work on new features in the Windows Insider program in late January and then start focusing on fixing bugs and improving performance exclusively, so Cortana integration in the Windows installer should be released by then.
The final version of the Creators Update is projected to launch in March as version 1703, so Microsoft is working against the clock here as everyone is eager to try out its new operating system update.