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Check that your Windows version supports Voice Access
Microsoft lists Voice Access for Windows 11 version 22H2 and later. Using it during initial device setup or at the sign-in screen is documented for Windows 11 version 23H2. Check your Windows version under Settings > System > About if you are unsure which release is installed. Microsoft’s setup page has the current eligibility and setup information.
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Turn on Voice Access and complete setup
- Open Voice Access. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Speech and turn on Voice Access. You can also search for “voice access” from Start or Windows Search and open the feature.
- Download a language. On first launch, choose a supported language. Windows needs an internet connection to download its language files; Microsoft says Voice Access uses these files for on-device speech recognition.
- Choose a microphone. Confirm that a microphone is connected, then select the input device Voice Access should use. If Windows blocks microphone access, check that desktop apps are allowed to use the microphone in privacy settings. A built-in or already-connected microphone may be enough; a new one is not a setup requirement.
- Try the optional guide. The interactive guide provides a practice area for learning basic commands. Open the help menu or say “What can I say” or “Show all commands” to find more options.
Once the language files are downloaded, Microsoft says Voice Access can be used without an internet connection. Language availability can change, so check the live setup page before choosing a language.
Choose how Voice Access handles speech
Voice Access has three modes, which determine whether spoken words are treated as commands or text:
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- Default mode: Accepts both commands and dictation.
- Commands mode: Listens for commands rather than dictation.
- Dictation mode: Treats speech as text input.
For an overview of the modes and basic operation, see Microsoft’s getting-started guide.
Control apps and items on screen by voice
Say “Click” or “Tap” followed by the visible item’s name to interact with a control—for example, “Click Save.” If the item is difficult to identify by name, number overlays can label screen items so you can refer to the displayed number instead. Microsoft’s guide to interacting with items on screen explains the available methods.
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The command list includes app and control interaction, mouse and keyboard actions, dictation, and text editing. Use the built-in help or consult the full Voice Access command list when you need a specific phrase.
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Voice Access settings let you choose whether the feature starts before or after you sign in. Microsoft documents using voice access during PC setup and at sign-in for Windows 11 version 23H2. For the specific setup and login steps, see Microsoft’s setup and sign-in instructions.
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What to know about supported languages and Windows Speech Recognition
Microsoft’s setup page lists English (United States, United Kingdom, India, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia), Spanish (Spain and Mexico), German (Germany), French (France and Canada), Simplified Chinese (China), Traditional Chinese (Taiwan), Japanese, and Italian. Because the list may change, verify current availability on the live setup page.
Voice Access replaced Windows Speech Recognition (WSR) for Windows 11 version 22H2 and later in September 2024, according to Microsoft. WSR remains available on older Windows versions. See Microsoft’s Windows Speech Recognition commands page for information about that older feature.
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Troubleshoot setup or language downloads
If setup fails or a language download will not complete, first confirm that the PC is online and that the selected microphone is connected and available to desktop apps. Microsoft’s Voice Access FAQ points to troubleshooting guidance for setup and language-download issues.
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