How to use dictation (voice typing) on Windows
Click in any text box and press Windows + H. When you see Listening..., start talking. Say "stop listening" or click the microphone to stop. You need an internet connection and a microphone.
Start voice typing
- Click in a text box: an email, a document, a search bar or a chat.
- Press Windows + H. On a touchscreen, you can also tap the Microphone button on the touch keyboard.
- Wait for the Listening... alert, then speak.
- To stop, say "stop listening" (or "stop dictation") or select the microphone button on the voice typing menu.
Settings worth changing
Select the gear icon on the voice typing menu:
- Automatic punctuation adds punctuation based on what you say. Turn it on unless you prefer to say every mark.
- Voice typing launcher keeps the voice typing button handy.
- Default microphone chooses which mic to use.
- Filter profanity masks swear words.
Keyboard shortcuts
| Shortcut | Does |
|---|---|
| Windows + H | Start voice typing |
| Windows + Alt + H | Move around the voice typing menu with the keyboard |
| Windows + Space | Switch input language, which also changes the voice typing language |
Languages
Voice typing supports more than 40 languages and regional variants. Add one in Settings → Time & language → Language & region. Voice commands differ by language.
Copilot+ PCs: fluid dictation
On Copilot+ PCs, in English, fluid dictation uses on-device AI to fix grammar, punctuation and filler words as you talk. It's on by default. Say "undo that" to reverse a fix.
Voice typing or Voice Access?
| Voice typing (Windows + H) | Voice Access | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Dictates text into the box you're in | Controls the whole PC by voice, plus dictation |
| Internet | Required | Works offline after a one-time download |
| Languages | 40+ | English, Spanish, French, German |
| Turn on | Press Windows + H | Settings → Accessibility → Speech |
Use voice typing for writing. Use Voice Access if you want to open apps, click and scroll by voice too.
Commands
Say "period", "comma", "new paragraph", "delete that" and more. See the full Windows voice typing commands.