How to fix
“Get an app to open this ms-cortana2 link” message when copying files
on Windows

Every now and then, I get a strange message saying "Get an app to open this ms-cortana2 link" when I'm doing simple things like copying files or text. I'm not using Cortana, so I don't understand why this keeps popping up. Is there a way to stop it?

The message "Get an app to open this ms-cortana2 link" may appear unexpectedly when users try to copy or move files in Windows, especially within File Explorer. Although the action performed seems unrelated to Cortana, the prompt suggests that Windows is attempting to call a deep system link associated with Cortana functionality, specifically, the URI protocol ms-cortana2. This protocol is normally tied to voice assistance or system search features, and is not typically invoked during simple file operations.

"Get an app to open this ms-cortana2 link" error seems to arise due to system misconfiguration or leftover associations from removed or disabled system components. It has been reported after Windows updates or after using third-party utilities to remove pre-installed apps.

In some cases, the prompt might be triggered when copying items to or from a location where Cortana features were once integrated or linked. This makes the issue especially puzzling, as there is often no visible trace of Cortana being used or involved in the file handling.

Some updates or changes in Windows have resulted in residual links to deprecated system apps, and this message is a symptom of those background conflicts. Similar occurrences have been observed in the past when URI handlers like ms-get-started or ms-windows-store were left without proper app mappings.

To address this, users can attempt to re-register system apps, check for broken protocol handlers, or repair Windows components that may be referencing deprecated links. These methods are known to help in removing such prompts or restoring correct system behavior.

When the underlying cause isn’t obvious, using a robust PC repair tool like [d1] can be highly effective. It’s capable of automatically diagnosing and resolving issues related to system link errors, corrupted components, or misconfigured app handlers, making it a suitable choice when the message “ms-cortana2 link” keeps showing up during routine tasks.

Fix 1. Re-register system apps

Sometimes, system applications like Cortana are removed or partially uninstalled, leaving behind broken links or handlers. Re-registering all built-in apps can restore missing components and fix internal URI bindings that might cause this prompt.

• Type PowerShell in Windows search.
• Right-click on the result and select Run as administrator.
• User Account Control will ask whether you want to allow changes - click Yes.
• Copy and paste the command:
  Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
• Press Enter and wait for the process to complete.
• Restart the computer and check if the message still appears.

Fix 2. Check default app settings

Windows might not know how to handle the ms-cortana2 link if there’s no default application associated with it. Reviewing protocol associations can help ensure no broken handlers are present.

• Right-click on Start and select Settings, then go to Apps.
• Click on Default apps from the left-hand menu.
• Scroll down and select Choose default apps by protocol.
• Locate ms-cortana2 in the list.
• If available, remove the assigned app.
• If the option is not available, click the Reset next to Reset all default apps.

Fix 3. Repair system files

Corrupt system files can lead to improper functioning of URI links, especially if parts of Cortana or related services are missing. Running repair tools can restore system integrity.

• Type cmd in Windows search.
• Right-click on Command Prompt and pick Run as administrator.
• User Account Control window will show up - click Yes when prompted.
• Type in the following command and press Enter:
  sfc /scannow
• When done, run the following commands as well:
  dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
  dism /online /cleanup-image /checkhealth
  dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
  (Note: if you get an error executing this last command, add /Source:C:\RepairSource\Windows /LimitAccess to it and try again).
• Restart your system.

Fix 4. Remove leftover Cortana entries

If Cortana has been removed, some residual registry entries or shortcuts may still attempt to call it. Cleaning them out can prevent ms-cortana2 link errors from triggering.

• Type regedit in Windows search and press Enter.
• When the UAC window shows up, click Yes.
• Navigate to the following location:
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AppKey
• Look for Cortana-related keys and carefully delete them if Cortana is no longer in use.
• Restart the computer after making changes.

Fix 5. Reset Windows search settings

Since ms-cortana2 is tied to search and voice commands, resetting related settings can help restore normal file copy behavior and remove unintentional prompts.

• Open Control Panel.
• On the top-right corner, click on View by option and select Small icons.
• Pick Indexing options.
• Click Modify.
• Mark the locations that you want to be indexed and click OK (you can also use Show all locations at the bottom-left of the window if you can't see the location you are looking for).
• In the Indexing Options window, click Advanced.
• Click Rebuild under Delete and rebuild index. This might take a while, depending on how large your drives are. During the rebuilding process, you might not be able to use the search bar or receive incomplete results.
• Click OK.