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You can’t currently turn hands-free voice search on or off in Google’s Windows desktop app: Google’s current help does not document a wake-word feature or a setting for it. To search by voice on a computer, open Google.com and click the microphone in the search bar. That starts a voice query manually; it is not “Hey Google” activation.
Does the Google desktop app have a hands-free voice-search setting?
Google describes the Google app for desktop as a Windows search tool. Its documented features include a search box, local file and app search, Google Drive search, screen sharing and Lens, but its current help does not list hands-free listening, wake-word activation or an on/off control for voice search. There is therefore no documented desktop-app setting to enable or disable.
Google announced on April 14, 2026 that the Google app for desktop was available to Windows users around the world. That launch announcement does not establish that the app supports hands-free voice activation. Google also notes that Search service settings may be changing and might not match every experience, so consult its current Google app for desktop help if the app changes.
How to search by voice on a computer
Start a voice search in Google Search
- Open Google.com in a desktop browser.
- Click the microphone button in the search bar.
- When prompted, allow microphone access, then speak your query.
This is Google’s documented desktop-browser voice-search method. You start it by clicking the microphone; it does not provide a hands-free wake word or add a voice-search toggle to the Google desktop app. Google’s instructions are on its browser features and tools page.
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Dictate into a webpage with Chrome talk-to-type
Chrome talk-to-type is a separate feature for dictating text into a focused text field. You must start it yourself, and Google says it requires signing in to Chrome and granting microphone permission. It is not a way to activate Google Search by saying “Hey Google.” Follow Google’s Chrome talk-to-type instructions for the current steps.
Which voice feature matches what you want to do?
| Feature | What it does | Hands-free wake-word search? |
|---|---|---|
| Google app for desktop | Searches from the Windows desktop and provides other desktop features. | No wake-word control is documented in Google’s current help. |
| Google Search in a desktop browser | Starts a voice query when you click the search microphone. | No. You start the query manually. |
| Chrome talk-to-type | Dictates into a focused text field after you start the feature. | No. It is dictation, not wake-word search. |
Why Android “Hey Google” instructions don’t apply
Google’s Assistant and Voice Match instructions cover eligible Android devices and Google Home products, not the Google app for Windows. If you are changing hands-free Assistant behavior on one of those supported devices, use the relevant Google Assistant help or Voice Match help. Those settings do not enable or disable a wake word in the desktop app.
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Does “Spoken answers” control whether Google listens?
No. The “Spoken answers” preference in Google Search concerns spoken output—whether Search reads answers aloud. It is not a microphone or wake-word setting for incoming voice commands. See Google’s Search settings help for that preference.
Quick Recap
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