This article is for people who want to control their PC and author text using their voice with Windows. This article is part of the Accessibility support for Windows content set where you can find more information on Windows accessibility features. For general help, visit Microsoft Support home.
With voice access, you can use your keyboard with voice commands. You can press a single key or a combination of keys, press a key multiple times, or press and hold down keys.
This is a great way to quickly use shortcuts to your favorite apps. It also helps you speed up certain workflows, such as using the Tab key to go through a form. For example, if you are writing an email in Mail and are in the To field, you can quickly jump to the Subject field by saying "Press Tab three times." Or, to dismiss flyouts and menus, you can either say "Press Escape" or "Dismiss." For a list of voice access commands, go to Voice access command list.
Voice access is a feature in Windows 11 that enables everyone to control their PC and author text using only their voice and without an internet connection. For example, you can open and switch between apps, browse the web, and read and author email using your voice. For more information, go to Use voice access to control your PC & author text with your voice.
Voice access is available in Windows 11, version 22H2 and later. For more information on Windows 11 22H2 new features, and how to get the update, see What's new in recent Windows updates. Not sure which version of Windows you have? See: Find Windows version.
|
To do this |
Say this |
Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Press a key or key combination. |
"Press <key1> <key2>..." |
"Press Shift B" |
|
Press a key multiple times. |
"Press <key> <count> times" |
"Press Tab three times" |
|
Press and hold down a key. |
"Press and hold <key>" |
"Press and hold Shift" |
|
Release the held down key. |
"Release <key>" |
"Release Shift" |
|
Press Esc to close menu flyouts such as context menus or dropdown menus. |
"Dismiss" |
Note: To press Backspace, Enter, Tab key, or Delete, you can also give just the key name as a command, that is, say "Enter," "Backspace," "Tab," or "Delete."
Note: Voice access does not support the lock command, that is, Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
Note: You can also pull up and use the touch keyboard with voice access. For more information, please refer to Dictate text with voice.
See also
Use voice to work with windows and apps
Technical support for customers with disabilities
Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.
If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.
