How to dictate voice to text on Windows 11
On Windows 11, click into a text field and press Windows key + H. A small voice typing box opens, the microphone starts listening, and what you say is typed at the cursor. It works in any app that accepts text. On a touch keyboard, the microphone button does the same thing.
Voice typing needs an internet connection. If you need dictation that works offline, Windows has a second, separate feature called voice access, covered further down.
Start voice typing
- Click where you want the text.
- Press Windows key + H.
- Speak when the microphone in the voice typing box is active.
- Click the microphone, or press Windows key + H again, to stop.
On Windows 10, Microsoft calls the feature Dictation.
Turn on automatic punctuation
Automatic punctuation is a setting inside the voice typing box.
- Press Windows key + H.
- Click the gear icon in the voice typing box.
- Turn on Automatic punctuation.
With it off, say the punctuation yourself: "comma", "period", "question mark". The spoken commands guide lists more.
What voice typing needs
- A connection. Microsoft's wording: "Voice typing uses online speech recognition, which is powered by Azure Speech services." Your speech is sent to Microsoft to be turned into text.
- A supported language. Microsoft lists 46 voice typing languages.
- A microphone that Windows is allowed to use.
Fluid dictation on Copilot+ PCs
Microsoft has added a mode called fluid dictation to voice typing on Copilot+ PCs. It corrects grammar and punctuation and removes filler words as you speak, using small language models that run on the device. Microsoft lists it for English locales, turned on by default, and switched off automatically in password and PIN fields.
The offline option: voice access
Voice access is an accessibility feature in Windows 11, version 22H2 and later. It lets you control the PC and write text by voice, and Microsoft says it works without an internet connection. You need to be online once, to download the language files.
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Speech.
- Turn on Voice access.
- Follow the setup, which downloads the speech files for your language.
Voice access supports fewer languages than voice typing: English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese and Chinese in the variants Microsoft lists. It is built for hands-free control, so it also listens for commands that operate windows and buttons, which takes some getting used to if all you want is to dictate.
| Voice typing | Voice access | |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Windows key + H | Settings > Accessibility > Speech |
| Internet | Required | Only for the first download |
| Languages | 46 | A shorter list |
| Made for | Dictating into a text field | Controlling the PC and dictating |
Dictating in Word on Windows
Word has its own Dictate button, separate from Windows voice typing. It needs a Microsoft 365 subscription and a connection. See Google Docs and Word.
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortcut for voice typing in Windows 11?
Windows key + H. It opens the voice typing box and starts listening in whichever text field has the cursor.
Does Windows voice typing work without internet?
No. Microsoft states that voice typing uses online speech recognition. Voice access, under Settings > Accessibility > Speech, works offline once its language files are downloaded.
Why does Windows voice typing not add punctuation?
Automatic punctuation is a setting. Press Windows key + H, click the gear icon in the voice typing box and turn on Automatic punctuation.
Is voice typing in Windows free?
Yes. Voice typing and voice access are part of Windows 11.
Sources
- Microsoft: Use voice typing to talk instead of type on your PC
- Microsoft: Get started with voice access
- Microsoft: Set up voice access
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