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Windows 11 includes Voice typing, a built-in speech-to-text tool that enters your words into the active text box. It works in apps such as Notepad, Word, web browsers, email, and many other programs.
Voice typing needs an internet connection, online speech recognition, microphone access, and a cursor in a text field. This is different from Voice access, which controls Windows using on-device speech recognition.
What you need before using Voice typing
- A Windows 11 PC connected to the internet
- A working microphone, such as a laptop microphone, headset, or USB microphone
- The cursor positioned in a text box
- Online speech recognition enabled
- A supported input language
Microsoft calls the feature Voice typing in current versions of Windows 11. Older Windows documentation and guides may call similar functionality Dictation.
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Turn on the required settings
Enable online speech recognition
- Open Start and select Settings.
- Go to Privacy & security > Speech.
- Turn on Online speech recognition.
Voice typing uses Microsoft Azure Speech services, so it does not work as a fully offline dictation tool. If you need offline voice control after downloading language files, use Voice access instead.
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Allow microphone access
- Open Settings.
- Select Privacy & security > Microphone.
- Turn on Microphone access.
If Windows shows a microphone permission error when you start dictating, this is the first setting to check. Depending on your Windows configuration, you may also see separate permissions for allowing apps to access the microphone.
Choose the correct microphone
- Open Settings > System > Sound.
- Scroll to Input.
- Select the microphone you intend to use.
- Speak and check that the input level responds.
A headset or external microphone can produce better results than a laptop’s built-in microphone, especially in a noisy room.
How to start Voice typing
With a physical keyboard
- Open an app with a text field. Notepad is a simple test.
- Click where you want the words to appear.
- Press Windows logo key + H.
- Wait for the Voice typing panel to show “Listening…”.
- Speak normally. Windows inserts the transcribed text at the cursor.
Voice typing starts listening automatically after you press the shortcut, but speaking too soon can cause the first words to be missed. Wait for the listening indicator before talking.
On a touchscreen device
- Tap inside a text box.
- Open the touch keyboard.
- Select the Microphone button on the touch keyboard.
- Wait for the listening indicator, then speak.
Navigate the Voice typing panel by keyboard
Press Windows logo key + Alt + H to navigate the Voice typing menu using the keyboard.
Stop or pause dictation
You can stop Voice typing in either of these ways:
- Select the microphone button in the Voice typing panel.
- Say “Stop listening”, “Stop dictation”, “Stop dictating”, “Stop voice typing”, “Stop voice mode”, “Pause dictation”, “Pause voice typing”, or “Pause voice mode.”
Voice typing is intended for entering text in the currently selected field. It does not open applications, click buttons, or operate Windows generally.
Install and change a Voice typing language
Voice typing can use a language that differs from your Windows display language. First install the language in Windows:
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- Open Settings.
- Go to Time & language > Language & region.
- Under Preferred languages, select Add a language.
- Search for the language, select it, and choose Next.
- Choose Next again or install the language features you want.
The optional Speech recognition language feature is not required for Voice typing. Installing the language itself and switching to its keyboard/input layout is sufficient.
To change the active input language, use either method:
- Select the language switcher on the taskbar.
- Press Windows logo key + Spacebar until the required language is selected.
On a touchscreen, use the language switcher in the bottom-right corner of the touch keyboard.
Windows 11 supports Voice typing for a defined list of languages and regional variants, including English (United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, India, and New Zealand), French (France and Canada), Spanish (Spain and Mexico), Portuguese (Portugal and Brazil), Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Vietnamese, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian Bokmål, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Irish, Maltese, Russian, Slovenian, and Turkish.
Microsoft’s documented Voice typing commands are available in US English. Basic dictation of text, symbols, letters, and numbers is available for additional supported languages, but command behavior can vary.
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These commands are documented for English (United States):
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| Action | Say |
|---|---|
| Pause or stop Voice typing | “Pause voice typing,” “Pause dictation,” “Stop voice typing,” “Stop dictation,” “Stop listening,” “Stop dictating,” “Stop voice mode,” or “Pause voice mode” |
| Delete the last spoken word or phrase | “Delete that,” “Erase that,” or “Scratch that” |
| Select the last spoken word or phrase | “Select that” |
| Press Enter | “Press Enter” |
| Press Backspace | “Backspace” or “Press Backspace” |
| Press Tab | “Tab” or “Press Tab” |
| Insert a space | “Insert Space” or “Press Space” |
| Undo the previous change | “Undo that” or “Revert” |
For long documents, dictate in short paragraphs and review the result as you go. Voice typing can produce incorrect words when the language, microphone, or surrounding noise is wrong.
Voice typing privacy options
Voice typing uses online speech recognition. You can use it without contributing voice clips to Microsoft. To review the optional voice-clip setting:
- Press Windows logo key + H to open Voice typing.
- Select the Settings button in the Voice typing flyout.
- Follow the links to start or stop contributing voice clips.
For a work or school account, sharing voice data is unavailable, but Voice typing remains usable.
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Voice typing versus Voice access
| Feature | Voice typing | Voice access |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Dictates text into the selected text box | Controls Windows and authors text by voice |
| Internet | Requires an internet connection | Needs internet for first-time language download, then uses on-device recognition |
| Text box required | Yes | No, because it can control the PC |
| How to enable | Press Windows logo key + H in a text field | Settings > Accessibility > Speech > Voice access |
Voice access is available in Windows 11 version 22H2 and later. Microsoft states that Voice access replaced Windows Speech Recognition in Windows 11 version 22H2 and later beginning in September 2024. Therefore, older instructions that tell you to configure Windows Speech Recognition are not the current Windows 11 method.
Fix Voice typing when it does not work
“Voice typing needs access to your microphone”
Open Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone and turn on Microphone access. Then verify that Windows detects the intended device under Settings > System > Sound > Input.
Windows logo key + H does nothing
Click inside a text box before pressing the shortcut. Voice typing does not start from the desktop or from a screen that has no active text field. If you want to control Windows without selecting a text box, configure Voice access instead.
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Voice typing says the current language is unavailable
The active input language may not be supported. Install a supported language under Settings > Time & language > Language & region, then press Windows logo key + Spacebar to select it.
No text appears after speaking
Check that the Voice typing panel says “Listening…” and that the correct microphone is selected. Check the microphone input level in Settings > System > Sound > Input. If the built-in microphone produces little or no input, try a headset or external microphone.
The transcription is inaccurate
Use the correct input language, move to a quieter location, and speak clearly at a normal pace. Background noise, a poor-quality microphone, and an incorrectly selected language are common causes of incorrect transcription.
Microsoft documents echo cancellation for Voice typing, including suppression of audio from speakers, Narrator, and app playback. You do not necessarily need to mute every other application before dictating.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Bottom line
To use Voice typing in Windows 11, enable Online speech recognition, allow microphone access, place the cursor in a text box, and press Windows logo key + H. Wait for “Listening…” before speaking. If you need voice commands that operate apps and Windows itself, use Voice access rather than Voice typing.
FAQ
Does Windows 11 Voice typing work offline?
No. Voice typing uses online speech recognition and requires an internet connection. Voice access can work offline after its language files have been downloaded.
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What is the keyboard shortcut for Voice typing in Windows 11?
Press Windows logo key + H while the cursor is inside a text box.
Why does Windows logo key + H not work?
Voice typing requires an active text field. Click inside Notepad, a browser form, an email, or another text box before pressing the shortcut. Also check online speech recognition and microphone permissions.
Do I need to install the optional Speech recognition language feature?
No. Microsoft states that the optional Speech recognition feature is not required for Voice typing. Install a supported language and switch to it as the active input language.
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Can I use Voice typing without sharing voice clips?
Yes. Contributing voice clips is optional. Open Voice typing with Windows logo key + H, select Settings, and use the available links to manage voice-clip contribution.
What is the difference between Voice typing and Voice access?
Voice typing converts speech into text in a selected text box and uses online recognition. Voice access controls the PC and can author text using on-device recognition after its language files are downloaded.
The Bottom Line
Quick setup: go to Settings > Privacy & security > Speech and enable Online speech recognition; allow Microphone access under Privacy & security > Microphone; select the right device under System > Sound > Input; click a text box; and press Windows logo key + H. Start speaking only after the panel displays “Listening…”.
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