Amazon Alexa, aka just Alexa, needs no introduction. This cloud-based virtual voice assistant technology, developed by Amazon, gained popularity quickly after its launch. Initially, the technology was limited to Amazon Echo smart speakers but was later introduced with several smart devices.
Alexa, as we all know can do good voice interaction, play music, make to-do lists, provide you with weather and traffic reports, play news, set alarms and much more. Recently, Amazon launched Alexa Show Mode for select Lenovo PCs, but it was later made available to all Windows PCs. Today, in this post, we will learn how to use Alexa on your Windows 11/10 PC.
How to use Alexa on Windows 11 PC
The virtual voice assistant is now available on Microsoft Store for everyone to download for free. Go to the Store and search for Alexa and click on Get. Alternatively, you can click on the link mentioned at the end of this post. Download and follow the instructions to install the app on your PC. If you don’t not see it, use a free VPN software and set it to use a US IP.
You have to log in to the app using your Amazon account. Create a new account if you don’t have one already. While installing you will be asked if you if want to turn on the Wake Word or not. If you turn it OFF, you have to click to start talking to Alexa, and if you turn it ON, you simply have to say Alexa and you can start giving your voice commands. It is recommended to turn it on for a better experience, but just remember that it may use a little more battery on your laptop.
Also, because it is voice-based assistance, you will be asked to allow the app to use your microphone even when the app is minimized or running in the background. Click on Allow button and move forward.
In the next few steps, you will be asked whether you want the Alexa app to run when you log in to your PC; click Enable to proceed. Then you will be asked if you want to pin it to the taskbar. Click Yes if you want quick access to the app or else you can just let it run in the background, it is anyway just a word (Alexa) away.
Once the app is installed on your PC, it is ready to take your commands. As we know, Alexa is a voice-based virtual assistant; you have to say Alexa and start giving voice commands.
Let’s see what all Alexa can or can’t do on your PC.
Once installed and given permission to use the Microphone even when Alexa is running in the background, all you have to do is to say Alexa, and it’s ready to take your voice commands. As soon as you say, Alexa, you will hear the sound of the app and then you can talk to your own virtual assistant.
What can you do with Alexa on your PC?
The main overview is pretty simple. It shows all that Alexa can do for you or shall I say all that you can do with Alexa on your PC. Like any of the other smart devices, you can use Alexa to play music, podcasts, stream anything, set alarms and reminders, make a to-do list, and a lot more.
- Play Music on Alexa
- Create Smart Home with Alexa on your Windows PC
- Communicate on Alexa
- Make a to-do list on Alexa
- Set Reminders and Alarms with Alexa on Windows PC
- Other things to try with Alexa on Windows PC
You can also ask Alexa, what is the date/day today, what is the time right now, or what is the temperature today.
1] Play Music on Alexa
This is the first thing everyone tries when they get Alexa or any other virtual voice assistance for that matter. I too did the same. As soon as I installed Alexa on my PC, I asked it to play old Hindi music and it started playing the most popular retro music album from Bollywood on Amazon Music, and that too when I don’t have the Amazon Music app installed on my PC. It was wonderful but the only problem was that I literally had to shout Alexa lower the volume when it was too loud.
Since it is an app from Amazon, it uses only Amazon music to play any kind of music and not any other audio-streaming apps like Spotify, Gaana, or Pandora. You can, however, tune in to the local radio stations.
2] Create Smart Home with Alexa on your Windows PC
You can also create a Smart Home with Alexa on your PC if you have the Smart Devices installed in your house. For example, if you have smart lights, fans, air conditioners, etc., at home, you can connect them to Alexa on your PC and control everything while working on your computer. I now have Alexa on my PC, so it’s time to get some Smart Devices too. I will then come up with a tutorial on how to create Smart Home with Alexa on your PC, but for now, this is where you can add your device. Also, as you can see I am still enjoying my old Hindi music on Alexa while writing this post and taking these screenshots.
3] Communicate on Alexa
Now when I installed Alexa on my PC, I set a reminder for a call tomorrow but then I realized that it can remind me of the call only if my laptop is turned On at that time. This is when I checked and found that I can also install this Amazon app on my Smartphone and communicate. So for this, I installed the app on my phone and logged in. It was instantly connected to the Alexa app on my PC and boom, sorted. I could see all my to-do lists and reminders on my phone too.
4] Make a to-do list on Alexa
Now when Alexa is connected both on my phone and PC, it is even easier to create the to-do list and update it. I can quickly add an item to my shopping list or any other reminder which I might forget later. Under the tab Lists in the left panel, you can see all your to-do lists prepared using this beautiful virtual voice assistant.
5] Set Reminders and Alarms with Alexa on Windows PC
Just as we created the to-do list and added items, we can also set reminders with Alexa. Simply say, Alexa, and then whatever you want to put the reminder for. For example, you want Alexa to remind you to call your bank manager. Say, “Alexa, remind me to call my bank manager tomorrow.” Alexa will then ask, “What time shall I remind you?” Give me the time, and that’s it. Leave it on her and relax :) Or you can say, “Alexa, set a reminder to call the bank manager tomorrow at 2 pm.” Alternatively, you can also add the reminders manually by clicking on Add Reminder tab on the top right corner.
Similarly, you can set alarms on Alexa by saying, “Alexa, set an 8:AM alarm.”
6] Things to try with Alexa on Windows PC
This is a fun tab wherein you can check all the new and interesting things you can try with Alexa. You can do some entertainment with the audiobooks, check the movies and showtimes in your vicinity, have fun with Alexa ask her for a joke, or have some chit-chat with her. Alexa btw has a great sense of humor, see what she said when I asked her for a joke.
Do you want to know what Alexa replies when you tell her Alexa I love you? She literally starts singing an I love you song for you in return. The song says-
Thanks for saying I love you, you are just as sweet as a pie.
Know that I’ll be there for you, as always your trustee AI
Overall, Alexa is a great help for lazy people like me but remember that you are given another application to access your microphone, your location, and too much of your personal data. Though I don’t mind sharing mine :D
If this post about how to use Alexa on your Windows PC entices you, you can download the app here from Microsoft Store.
Are Cortana and Alexa the same?
Cortana is Microsoft’s virtual assistant, whereas Alexa is Amazon’s. Cortana comes pre-installed on Windows computers. Windows 11 also includes Cortana, but Microsoft has changed the way to use it. In Windows 11, you have to open Cortana via Windows Search to use it. If you want to use Alexa on Windows 11/10, you can install it from the Microsoft Store. However, it could get removed from Windows.
Now read next: Things you can do with Alexa on Windows PC.
