Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

How to control Alexa from your Windows 10 PC

By

Amazon’s voice assistant Alexa is typically associated with smart devices, from Amazon’s own Echo smart speaker line to compatible TVs, air conditioners, and more. But we don’t always mention that Alexa works just as well on Windows 10 and Windows 11 computer, which can be extremely useful if you prefer to use a PC at home, but still want easy voice control for your smart devices or security routines. Let’s look at how to get those Alexa features on your Windows computer and what to do with them.

Step 1: Update everything

Windows Update restarted required.

Check that your Windows computer is fully updated and ready to go. You can download Alexa on Windows 10 or Windows 11, but you’ll want to make sure the version you have has the latest updates. This helps with both security and compatibility.

Step 2: Download the Alexa app

Alexa App in Microsoft Store.

Microsoft has its own version of the Alexa app ready and waiting to be installed: Find the Alexa app on Microsoft’s site on your Windows PC, and select Get (or sometimes Install) to start the download. When the download is finished (Alexa doesn’t take up that much room), select Launch to begin.

Step 3: Set up Alexa

Alexa Setup Screen on PC.

Alexa will now start a setup wizard on your PC. Begin by selecting Get Started.

Alexa Sign In PC.

Then sign in with your Amazon account information.

Alexa Wake Word on PC.

The wizard will run you through a series of questions about how you want to use Alexa. When appropriate, select Agree & Continue to move on through the prompts. When you reach the Wake Word page, make sure the Wake Word is enabled — this makes Alexa much easier to use on a PC, and allows you to give her commands even if you are on the other side of the room. Select Allow at this point.

You will also have the option to start Alexa upon login, and to pin the Alexa app to your toolbar (it will look like a small, bluish circle). If you are intending to use your PC as your primary Alexa device for issuing voice commands and controlling your smart home, it’s a good idea to enable both these options. Select Finish when you are ready. Now, select Get Started once more, and the Alexa app will open with plenty of ideas about how to start using it. You’ll be asked to enable a few other capabilities at this point, but Alexa is installed and ready to go.

At some point, Alexa will also ask if you want to enable the voice assistant on the lock screen. This means Alexa can wait for the Wake Word even if your PC has locked and gone to screensaver. This feature can be useful if you plan on giving voice commands from around the room, not just when you are using Windows.

Step 4: Experiment with Windows-based voice commands

Alexa Home Screen PC.

Alexa can do plenty on your PC immediately, so it’s a good idea to find useful commands you can use throughout the day. The Alexa app home screen will list places to get started if you aren’t sure, and the Things to Try section is a great follow-up. As always, the standard “Alexa” wake word is necessary for any command.

Amazon Alexa on PC example.

We suggest trying commands like asking Alexa to make a reminder, look at your calendar, or add something to a shopping list. You can also play music of your choice with the right music services connected to Alexa. You can choose to call or drop in on people on your contact list, and with Show Mode enabled, you can turn these calls into a video chat, too. You can also ask Alexa a range of questions, from what the weather will be like today to what’s a good video for cooking broccoli. We have a guide on setting up Alexa that can help you learn more, and Amazon has a few ideas as well.

Step 5: Connect your smart devices to Alexa and use them

Alexa Set Up New Device.

You can also use Alexa on your PC to control any connected smart devices. Alexa has excellent compatibility with many popular smart device brands. but they need to be connected to the Alexa app in order for them to work.

The good news is that if you have connected any smart devices to Alexa in the past, Alexa on PC will automatically add them and allow you to control them. The bad news is that you can’t add new smart home devices to Alexa using the PC app. Instead, you should download the mobile Alexa app and add devices there. We have a guide to help you connect your smart home using an Echo. Then you can go even further and start setting up routines, downloading specific Alexa skills for games or services, and lots more!

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Tyler Lacoma
Tyler Lacoma
Contributor
If it can be streamed, voice-activated, made better with an app, or beaten by mashing buttons, Tyler's into it. When he's not…
This Keurig Coffee Maker can be yours for $50, because Prime Day
A woman sitting next to a Keurig K-Express coffee maker.

Prime Day deals are often a great time to buy sweet new kitchen appliances. This year is no different with the chance to buy the Keurig K-Express Coffee Maker for only $50 saving you $30 off the usual price of $80. It was this price last summer but this is the lowest it's been all year with it only usually dropping to around $60 in 2023. One of the best Prime Day coffee machine deals today, you won't want to miss out on it. Here's why it's so great.

Why you should buy the Keurig K-Express Coffee Maker
One of the best coffee makers in this price range, the Keurig K-Express Coffee Maker has all the essentials. It has a 42-ounce removable reservoir to cater to all your needs. A choice of three cup sizes is possible including eight ounces, 10, and 12 ounces. There's also room for a 7.4-inch travel mug if you're brewing a cup of coffee ready to take on your commute. The latter is ideal if you're short on time and want to save on having to buy coffee on the move.

Read more
From $150 to $49: Save big on the Arlo Video Doorbell for Prime Day
A person pressing the Arlo Video Doorbell.

To provide your home with an extra layer of protection, getting a video doorbell from Amazon's Prime Day deals would be a good idea. Here's a recommendation -- the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell, with the wired version down to $49 from $150 after a $101 discount, and the wireless version bundled with the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera down to $143 from $330 after a $187 discount. Both offers are less than half their original price, and beat their previously lowest prices this year of $54 and $160, respectively. You're going to have to hurry with your purchase though, because we're not sure if these bargains will last through the end of the shopping holiday.
Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (Wired) -- $49, was $150

Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (Wireless) with Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera -- $143, was $330

Read more
This SodaStream is discounted from $160 to $90 for Prime Day
sodastream terra sparkling water maker deal prime day 2022

Do you buy a 24-pack of seltzer water every time you do to the store? Are you constantly cracking open a fizzy water and filling your recycling bin with cans? There is a cheaper solution that will also help save the environment: Make your own soda water. This SodaStream Prime Day deal makes the convenient device super cheap. It's now only $90 instead of its usual $160 That's $10 cheaper than it has ever been. It's a fantastic $70 discount, meaning this device will pay for itself almost twice as fast as it would at full price. Check it out at Amazon while Prime Day deals are still live.

Why you should buy the SodaSteam E-Terra during Prime Day
Prime Day is a great time to buy appliances. Amazon is having fantastic price cuts on some of the most popular models, while competing retailers try to offer their own sales. Target is having Target Circle Week, for instance, which is cutting prices on lots of home appliances. But we're here to talk about the SodaStream E-Terra. SodaStream is the biggest brand name in the soda water biz, and this is one of their simplest carbonated water makers. The E-Terra comes with the basic SodaStream device, which has a thin profile that will fit on any counter, right next to a toaster and a Keurig. You also get a reusable, dishwasher-safe bottle for use when carbonating the water, and a free CO2 cannister. If you want fancier features, like the ability to make cocktails, consider a fancier model like the SodaStream Art.

Read more