How to use speech to text on Windows

Microsoft says that to use voice typing you need to be connected to the internet, have a working microphone and have your cursor in a text box (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f). To turn voice typing on, press the Windows key + H on a hardware keyboard, or press the Microphone button on the touch keyboard (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f). Once voice typing is on it starts listening, and Microsoft says to wait for the Listening alert before you start speaking (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f). To stop, say a voice typing command such as Stop listening, or press the microphone button on the voice typing menu (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f). On Windows 10, you select a text field and press the Windows logo key + H to open the dictation toolbar, say Stop dictation to stop, and need an internet connection (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f).

Select the gear icon on the voice typing flyout to manage its settings: the voice typing launcher, automatic punctuation, the profanity filter, the default microphone, and how long voice typing waits before it carries out a voice command (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f). On Copilot+ PCs, in English locales, Fluid dictation in voice typing corrects grammar, punctuation and filler words as you speak; it is on by default and you can turn it off in voice typing settings (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f).

To add a voice typing language, select Start > Settings > Time & language > Language & region, find Preferred languages and select Add a language, then search for the language and select Next; optional language features, speech recognition among them, are not required for voice typing (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f). To switch voice typing languages you change your input language, with the language switcher on the taskbar, the Windows key + Spacebar, or the language switcher on the touch keyboard (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f). Microsoft lists the languages that support voice typing in Windows 11, among them several kinds of English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, as well as German, Hindi, Japanese and Chinese (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f).

Automatic punctuation, in voice typing settings, lets voice typing put in punctuation based on what you are saying (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f). Microsoft's list of English punctuation commands has you say marks by name, such as comma, period or full stop, question mark, colon, open quotes and close quotes, and say new line or new paragraph for a break (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f). The voice typing commands for US English include Delete that or Scratch that to remove the last word or phrase you said, and Select that to select it (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f).

Microsoft says that to use voice typing you need to be connected to the internet, have a working microphone and have your cursor in a text box (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f). If your microphone is not detected after a Windows 11 update, Microsoft says your apps may need permission: select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone, make sure Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone are turned on, and for desktop apps turn on Let desktop apps access your microphone (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/drivers/fix-microphone-problems). Microsoft also says to make sure the microphone or headset is connected and is the default recording device, chosen under Start > Settings > System > Sound > Input, where you can test it with Start test (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/drivers/fix-microphone-problems). Microsoft also points to the Recording Audio troubleshooter: in Settings > System > Sound, under Advanced, choose Input devices at Troubleshoot common sound problems (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/drivers/fix-microphone-problems).

A dedicated app is worth a look when you want to talk while holding a key you choose, the text set differently for a chat or an email, a list of your own words that applies every time you dictate, or dictation that works without an internet connection. On a Mac, read how to use dictation on a Mac.

Roundhand is a dictation app that runs on a PC with Windows 11 and an x64 (Intel or AMD) processor. You get it from the Microsoft Store, no separate installer, and updates come through the microsoft store. You hold Right Ctrl, talk, then let go. Roundhand writes the text at your cursor in the app you are in. You can pick another key in Settings. Speech is recognised on your computer. Your audio is never uploaded. Roundhand cleans the text up for the app you are typing into: it takes out filler words, adds punctuation and sets the text out for a chat message or an email. Cloud cleanup is optional. It sends text, never audio. Built-in offline rules can tidy the text instead, with no account and no network. Roundhand's Dictionary sets how a word you say is written, such as a name or a term. To install it, see the Roundhand for Windows download page.

What is the shortcut for voice typing on Windows?

To turn voice typing on, press the Windows key + H on a hardware keyboard, or press the Microphone button on the touch keyboard (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f, checked on 2026-10-14). To stop, say a voice typing command such as Stop listening, or press the microphone button on the voice typing menu (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f, checked on 2026-10-14).

How do I use voice typing on Windows 11?

Microsoft says that to use voice typing you need to be connected to the internet, have a working microphone and have your cursor in a text box (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f, checked on 2026-10-14). To turn voice typing on, press the Windows key + H on a hardware keyboard, or press the Microphone button on the touch keyboard (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f, checked on 2026-10-14). Once voice typing is on it starts listening, and Microsoft says to wait for the Listening alert before you start speaking (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f, checked on 2026-10-14).

Why is voice typing not working?

Microsoft says that to use voice typing you need to be connected to the internet, have a working microphone and have your cursor in a text box (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f, checked on 2026-10-14). If your microphone is not detected after a Windows 11 update, Microsoft says your apps may need permission: select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone, make sure Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone are turned on, and for desktop apps turn on Let desktop apps access your microphone (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/drivers/fix-microphone-problems, checked on 2026-10-14).

Can I say punctuation with voice typing?

Automatic punctuation, in voice typing settings, lets voice typing put in punctuation based on what you are saying (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f, checked on 2026-10-14). Microsoft's list of English punctuation commands has you say marks by name, such as comma, period or full stop, question mark, colon, open quotes and close quotes, and say new line or new paragraph for a break (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f, checked on 2026-10-14).

How do I change the voice typing language?

To switch voice typing languages you change your input language, with the language switcher on the taskbar, the Windows key + Spacebar, or the language switcher on the touch keyboard (support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f, checked on 2026-10-14).

Where does Roundhand recognise speech?

Speech is recognised on your computer. Your audio is never uploaded. Cloud cleanup is optional. It sends text, never audio.