windows-itpro-docs/windows/manage/cortana-at-work-voice-commands.md
2017-01-17 11:22:27 -08:00

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Set up and test custom voice commands in Cortana for your organization (Windows 10) How to create voice commands that use Cortana to perform voice-enabled actions in your line-of-business (LOB) Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps. w10 manage library high

Set up and test custom voice commands in Cortana for your organization

Applies to:

  • Windows 10, Windows Insider Program
  • Windows 10 Mobile, Windows Insider Program

Important

Some information relates to prereleased product which may be substantially modified before it's commercially released. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the information provided here.

Working with a developer, you can create voice commands that use Cortana to perform voice-enabled actions in your line-of-business (LOB) Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps. These voice-enabled actions can reduce the time necessary to access your apps and to complete simple actions.

Note

For more info about how your developer can extend your current apps to work directly with Cortana, see Cortana interactions in UWP apps.

High-level process

Cortana uses a Voice Command Definition (VCD) file, aimed at an installed app, to define the actions that are to happen during certain vocal commands. A VCD file can be very simple to very complex, supporting anything from a single sound to a collection of more flexible, natural language sounds, all with the same intent.

To enable voice commands in Cortana

  1. Extend your LOB app. Add a custom VCD file to your app package. This file defines what capabilities are available to Cortana from the app, letting you tell Cortana what vocal commands should be understood and handled by your app and how the app should start when the command is vocalized.

    Cortana can perform actions on apps in the foreground (taking focus from Cortana) or in the background (allowing Cortana to keep focus). We recommend that you decide where an action should happen, based on what your voice command is intended to do. For example, if your voice command requires employee input, its best for that to happen in the foreground. However, if the app only uses basic commands and doesnt require interaction, it can happen in the background.

  2. Install the VCD file on employees' devices. You can use System Center Configuration Manager or Microsoft Intune to deploy and install the VCD file on your employees' devices, the same way you deploy and install any other package in your organization.

Test Scenario: Use voice commands in a Windows Store app

While these aren't line-of-business apps, we've worked to make sure to implement a VCD file, allowing you to test how the functionality works with Cortana in your organization.

To get a Windows Store app

  1. Go to the Windows Store, scroll down to the Collections area, click Show All, and then click Better with Cortana.

  2. Click Uber, and then click Install.

  3. Open Uber, create an account or sign in, and then close the app.

To set up the app with Cortana

  1. Click on the Cortana search box in the taskbar, and then click the Notebook icon.

  2. Click on Connected Services, click Uber, and then click Connect.

    Cortana at work, showing where to connect the Uber service to Cortana

To use the voice-enabled commands with Cortana

  1. Click on the Cortana icon in the taskbar, and then click the Microphone icon (to the right of the Search box).

  2. Say Uber get me a taxi.

    Cortana changes, letting you provide your trip details for Uber.

See also