Use Voice access for Windows 11 speech recognition without an internet connection. You’ll need internet access once to download its language files; after setup, Voice access can control the PC and let you dictate text offline. Windows key+H opens Voice typing, a different feature that requires an internet connection.
Which Windows 11 speech feature works offline?
| Feature | Internet requirement | What it does | Where recognition runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voice access | Internet needed for initial language-file download; works offline after setup. | Controls the PC and authors text by voice. | On-device, according to Microsoft’s setup instructions. |
| Voice typing | Requires internet. | Dictates into a focused text box. | Online speech recognition powered by Azure Speech services, according to Microsoft’s Voice typing guidance. |
| Windows Speech Recognition (WSR) | Not the current choice for Windows 11 version 22H2 or later. | Legacy speech-recognition feature. | Microsoft says Voice access replaced WSR for Windows 11 22H2 and later in September 2024; see Microsoft’s WSR status guidance. |
Voice access is the option to set up if you need both offline dictation and hands-free control of Windows. Voice typing is for online dictation into the text field where the cursor is active.
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Set up Voice access before going offline
- Connect to the internet. Windows needs a connection to download the language files for on-device recognition.
- Open Voice access. Go to Start > Settings > Accessibility > Speech, then turn on Voice access. Or search for “Voice access” from Start and open it. See Microsoft’s setup steps.
- Choose a language. On first launch, select a supported language and choose Agree and continue. Let the language files finish downloading. Microsoft says this can take a few minutes; if you leave setup before it completes, restart setup next time.
- Select a microphone. Connect a working microphone if needed, then choose the default input device on the microphone setup screen. Voice access is ready when the language model has downloaded and a default microphone is selected. See Microsoft’s getting-started guidance.
- Optionally complete the interactive guide. It introduces voice commands. You can also configure Voice access to start automatically, either before or after signing in, through its settings flow.
Once those setup steps are complete, disconnect from the internet and use Voice access. Microsoft describes the feature as controlling a Windows 11 PC and authoring text by voice without an internet connection.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteChoose a supported Voice access language
Microsoft’s setup page lists these Voice access options: English–US, English–UK, English–India, English–New Zealand, English–Canada, English–Australia, Spanish–Spain, Spanish–Mexico, German–Germany, French–France, French–Canada, Simplified Chinese–China, Traditional Chinese–Taiwan, Japanese, and Italian. The selected Voice access language does not have to match the Windows display language. The list can change, so check Microsoft’s current setup page if your preferred language is not shown.
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Why Windows key+H is not the offline option
Pressing Windows key+H starts Voice typing. It requires a working microphone, an internet connection, and a cursor in a text box. Microsoft identifies it as online speech recognition powered by Azure Speech services, not the offline-capable Voice access feature. That distinction also affects privacy: Microsoft says online recognition uses its cloud services, while device-based speech recognition processes voice locally and sends no voice data to Microsoft. With online recognition off, only device-based features are available. Read Microsoft’s explanation of Windows speech privacy.
If Voice access cannot download its language files
Resolve the download problem while you still have internet access; offline use depends on completing this setup first. Microsoft recommends checking the internet connection and Microsoft Store access. A download failure can mean the Store app catalog in the cloud is inaccessible. Once connectivity or Store access is restored, restart Voice access setup and let the language download finish. See Microsoft’s setup troubleshooting steps.
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Use current Windows 11 guidance, not legacy WSR steps
For Windows 11 version 22H2 or later, Microsoft says Voice access replaced Windows Speech Recognition in September 2024. Older instructions that tell you to configure WSR may therefore not match the current Windows 11 experience. For offline voice control and text authoring, set up Voice access instead.
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