Important notes
-
Some Cortana functionality for Surface Headphones (First version) will be going away in early 2021. For more info, see Cortana changes for Surface Headphones (First version) FAQ.
-
These instructions apply to the original version of Surface Headphones when using them on a Windows 10 PC. Cortana isn't available on Surface Headphones in all countries and regions, and the experience may vary by country/region. If Cortana isn't available on your headphones in your area, you won't be able to control them using your voice, but you can still use the touch gestures. For more info, see Use Surface Headphones.
Use Cortana with your Surface Headphones to check your schedule, set a reminder, and more, hands-free.
Get started
To use Cortana with your Surface Headphones, the headphones need to be connected to your Cortana-enabled Windows 10 PC. For more info about setting things up, see Set up Surface Headphones.
Note that if you've connected Surface Headphones to a Windows 10 PC running the May 2020 Update or later versions, certain functions, such as making a call or listening to music, will no longer be available with Cortana.
If you connect your headphones to a device that doesn't have Cortana turned on, or on which you haven't set up the headphones to work with Cortana, Cortana won't be available.
How and when you use Cortana is up to you. If you don’t want Cortana to listen or respond, you can turn off Cortana voice activation. For more info, see Manage Surface Headphone settings.
Use Cortana
Get Cortana's attention by doing one of the following when using your Windows 10 PC:
-
Tap and hold the touchpad on either ear until you hear a beep.
-
Say "Hey Cortana" and listen for a beep.
For this to work, Hey Cortana needs to be turned on for your Windows 10 PC. For more info, see Activate "Cortana" mode.
Here are some things you can do with Cortana on your Surface Headphones.
Get productive
|
To |
Say |
|
Check your calendar |
"... what's on my calendar today?" |
|
Join a Skype or Teams meeting |
"... join my next meeting." |
|
Email a contact |
"... email [name]." After that, give it a subject, say what you want in the message, and then send it. |
|
Set a reminder |
"... remind me to call [name]" |
|
Set a timer |
"... set a timer for [amount of time]" |
Note: You'll need to connect your Exchange account, Microsoft 365 account, or personal account to use this feature. For more info, see Sync your calendar with Cortana.
Find answers
|
To |
Say |
|
Get the weather forecast |
"... what's the weather like tomorrow?" |
|
Get translations |
"... how do you say [word] in [language]?" |
|
Get sports scores |
"... what was the score for the [team name] game?" (Not all leagues are supported and experience may vary by country/region.) |
Related topics
Important notes
-
Some Cortana functionality for Surface Headphones (First version) will be going away in early 2021. For more info, see Cortana changes for Surface Headphones (First version) FAQ.
-
These instructions apply to the original version of Surface Headphones when using them on a Windows 10 PC. Cortana isn't available on Surface Headphones in all countries and regions, and the experience may vary by country/region. If Cortana isn't available on your headphones in your area, you won't be able to control them using your voice, but you can still use the touch gestures. For more info, see Use Surface Headphones.
Use Cortana with your Surface Headphones to check your schedule, set a reminder, and more, hands-free.
Get started
To use Cortana with your Surface Headphones, the headphones need to be connected to your Cortana-enabled Windows 10 PC. For more info about setting things up, see Set up Surface Headphones.
Note that if you've connected Surface Headphones to a Windows 10 PC running the May 2020 Update or later versions, certain functions, such as making a call or listening to music, will no longer be available with Cortana.
If you connect your headphones to a device that doesn't have Cortana turned on, or on which you haven't set up the headphones to work with Cortana, Cortana won't be available.
How and when you use Cortana is up to you. If you don’t want Cortana to listen or respond, you can turn off Cortana voice activation. For more info, see Manage Surface Headphone settings.
Use Cortana
Get Cortana's attention by doing one of the following when using your Windows 10 PC:
-
Tap and hold the touchpad on either ear until you hear a beep.
-
Say "Hey Cortana" and listen for a beep.
For this to work, Hey Cortana needs to be turned on for your Windows 10 PC. For more info, see Activate "Cortana" mode.
Here are some things you can do with Cortana on your Surface Headphones.
Get productive
|
To |
Say |
|
Check your calendar |
"... what's on my calendar today?" |
|
Join a Skype or Teams meeting |
"... join my next meeting." |
|
Email a contact |
"... email [name]." After that, give it a subject, say what you want in the message, and then send it. |
|
Set a reminder |
"... remind me to call [name]" |
|
Set a timer |
"... set a timer for [amount of time]" |
Note: You'll need to connect your Exchange account, Microsoft 365 account, or personal account to use this feature. For more info, see Sync your calendar with Cortana.
Find answers
|
To |
Say |
|
Get the weather forecast |
"... what's the weather like tomorrow?" |
|
Get translations |
"... how do you say [word] in [language]?" |
|
Get sports scores |
"... what was the score for the [team name] game?" (Not all leagues are supported and experience may vary by country/region.) |
