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10 Tech How-To

Google Assistant on Windows 10: Setup Guide

Guide 10-15480 · Updated · Step by step

This guide shows you how to get Google Assistant running on a Windows 10 PC, either through the official Google Assistant SDK in Python or by using the Assistant in Chrome. You’ll be able to ask questions, control smart home devices, and set reminders right from your desktop.

What You’ll Need

  • A Windows 10 PC with internet access
  • A Google account (for the Assistant SDK method)
  • Python 3.7 or later installed (for the SDK method)
  • Google Chrome browser (for the Chrome method)
  • Optional: A microphone for voice commands

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using Google Assistant in Chrome (Easiest)

  1. Open Google Chrome on your Windows 10 PC.
  2. Go to google.com and sign in to your Google account.
  3. In the search bar, type a question or command, like “What’s the weather?” – you’ll get a Google Assistant-style response with cards and quick answers.
  4. For voice input, click the microphone icon in the search bar (if available) and speak your query.
  5. To use “Hey Google” voice activation, you’ll need to install a third-party extension (like “Google Assistant” from the Chrome Web Store) and grant microphone permissions. Note: This is not the full Assistant experience but works for basic queries.

Method 2: Using the Google Assistant SDK (Full Experience)

This method gives you a true Google Assistant that runs locally on your PC.

  1. Install Python: Download and install Python 3.7 or later from python.org. During installation, check “Add Python to PATH”.
  2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right-click Start, select “Command Prompt (Admin)”).
  3. Install the Google Assistant SDK and its dependencies by running:
    pip install --upgrade google-assistant-sdk[samples]
  4. Install the Google Auth library:
    pip install --upgrade google-auth-oauthlib[tool]
  5. Create a Google Cloud Project:
    1. Go to console.cloud.google.com and sign in.
    2. Click “Create Project”, give it a name (e.g., “My Assistant”), and create it.
    3. Enable the Google Assistant API: In the project, go to “APIs & Services” > “Library”, search for “Google Assistant API”, and click “Enable”.
    4. Create credentials: Go to “APIs & Services” > “Credentials”, click “Create Credentials” > “OAuth Client ID”. Choose “Desktop app” as the application type, name it, and click “Create”.
    5. Download the JSON file that appears (it will be named something like client_secret_*.json). Save it as client_secret.json in a folder you’ll remember, e.g., C:\assistant.
  6. Open Command Prompt in that folder (type cmd in the file explorer address bar and press Enter).
  7. Run the authorization command:
    google-oauthlib-tool --client-secrets client_secret.json --scope https://www.googleapis.com/auth/assistant-sdk-prototype --save --headless
  8. Follow the on-screen link in your browser, sign in with your Google account, and paste the authorization code back into the terminal.
  9. Now run the sample Assistant:
    python -m google.assistant.sdk.sample_assistant
  10. You’ll see a prompt like “Press Enter to start recording” – press Enter, speak your command, and the Assistant will respond via text in the terminal and audio through your speakers.

Common Mistakes

  • Not adding Python to PATH – If you skip this, the pip command won’t be recognized.
  • Using the wrong OAuth client type – You must select “Desktop app” when creating credentials, not “Web application”.
  • Forgetting to enable the Assistant API – If you skip this, the SDK won’t work and you’ll get a permission error.
  • Running the sample with the wrong Python version – The SDK requires Python 3.7 or later. Check with python --version.
  • Not granting microphone permissions – For voice input, ensure Windows has microphone access enabled for the terminal or Chrome.

Tips

  • For hands-free use, you can set up a hotkey to trigger the Assistant (e.g., using AutoHotkey) or use a third-party tool like “Assistant for Google” that adds a tray icon.
  • To keep the Assistant running in the background, you can create a shortcut that runs the Python command and minimize the window.
  • If you only need quick answers, the Chrome method is faster and doesn’t require any setup.
  • Use the Assistant to control smart home devices by linking your Google Home account in the same Google account.

Troubleshooting

  • “pip is not recognized” – Reinstall Python and ensure “Add Python to PATH” is checked. You may also need to restart Command Prompt.
  • OAuth error during authorization – Make sure you downloaded the correct JSON file and that it’s named client_secret.json in the current directory.
  • “ModuleNotFoundError: google.assistant” – Run pip install --upgrade google-assistant-sdk[samples] again to ensure all dependencies are installed.
  • Assistant doesn’t respond to voice – Check your microphone is working in Windows Settings > Privacy > Microphone. Also, the sample only records when you press Enter, not continuously.
  • Audio not playing – Ensure your speakers are on and not muted. The Assistant outputs audio via the default playback device.
  • Assistant says “I couldn’t reach Google” – Check your internet connection, and ensure your firewall isn’t blocking Python.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Google Assistant officially available on Windows 10?

No, Google does not provide an official native app for Windows 10. The methods above use the Assistant SDK (which is official but meant for developers) or a browser-based workaround.

Can I use “Hey Google” voice activation on Windows?

Not natively. The SDK sample requires pressing Enter to start recording. Some third-party tools can add hotkey activation, but true “Hey Google” wake word is not supported on Windows.

Will the Assistant work with my smart home devices?

Yes, if you’re signed in with the same Google account that has your smart home devices linked, you can control them via the Assistant SDK.

Do I need to pay for the Google Assistant SDK?

No, the SDK and the Google Cloud project are free for personal use, though you may need to enter a billing account if you exceed certain quotas (unlikely for personal use).

Can I use the Assistant without a microphone?

Yes, you can type your queries in the Chrome method or use the SDK’s text input feature (if you modify the sample code).

Why does the Assistant sound robotic?

The SDK sample uses a basic text-to-speech engine. For a more natural voice, you’d need to integrate a different TTS service, which is beyond the scope of this guide.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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