Get started with Copilot Voice

This article applies to: All Copilot experiences — personal accounts, work or school accounts (Microsoft Entra), and free Copilot Chat.

Last updated: October 2026

Note

Voice availability depends on your subscription and region. Voice features require an eligible Microsoft subscription. To learn more, see AI credits and limits for Microsoft 365 subscriptions.

Microsoft Copilot includes several voice features that help you work hands-free, improve accessibility, and interact with Copilot more naturally. Whether you want to speak your prompts, hear Copilot's responses, or have a full voice conversation, voice features make it easier to get things done.

In this article

Which voice feature do you want to use?

Feature What it does Available for
Dictation Speak your prompt instead of typing. Work or school accounts
Read aloud Have Copilot read responses to you. Work or school accounts
Copilot Voice Have a real-time spoken conversation with Copilot. Work or school and personal accounts

Note

The first time you use voice in Copilot Chat, you may be asked to allow microphone access. You can change this later in your browser or device settings.

Dictate messages to Copilot

Benefits

  • Hands-free productivity: Create messages, notes, or content using your voice.
  • Capture ideas quickly: Record thoughts as they come to you.
  • Accessibility: Supports users who prefer or require voice input.

Start dictation

  1. Sign in to copilot.cloud.microsoft or open the Microsoft Copilot app on your desktop or mobile device.
  2. In the chat prompt box, select Start dictation.
  3. Speak clearly and naturally. Use punctuation commands such as "period" and "comma" for better formatting. Copilot transcribes your speech into text in real time.
  4. To stop dictation, select Stop dictation. Copilot stops listening.
  5. Review the transcribed or generated content for accuracy because AI may occasionally misinterpret speech or produce errors.

Have Copilot read responses aloud

Listen to Copilot's responses instead of reading them.

Benefits

  • More natural interactions: Hear responses as they are generated.
  • Enhanced accessibility: Helpful for users with visual impairments or reading difficulties.
  • Multitasking: Continue working while listening to responses.

Start read aloud

  1. Sign in to copilot.cloud.microsoft or open the Microsoft Copilot app on your desktop or mobile device.
  2. Ask a question or prompt Copilot as usual.
  3. In the response menu below Copilot's response, select More options, and then select Read aloud.
  4. Use the on-screen controls to pause, resume, or stop the audio.
  5. Review transcribed or generated content for accuracy because AI may occasionally misinterpret speech or produce errors.

Chat with Copilot using your voice

Copilot Voice lets you have a spoken conversation with Copilot. Copilot uses speech recognition and natural language processing to understand what you say and respond naturally.

Benefits

  • Natural conversations: Speak directly with Copilot for a natural, interactive experience.
  • Hands-free productivity: Brainstorm, prepare for the day, or get coaching.
  • Multitasking: Ask questions and receive spoken responses while working on other tasks.
  • Accessibility: Interact with Copilot without using a keyboard.

Start a voice conversation

  1. Open Copilot.
  2. Select the Voice icon in the message composer.
  3. If prompted, allow microphone access.
  4. Wait for Copilot's audio greeting, and then begin speaking.

Note

Voice conversations may have session limits and can disconnect automatically when the limit is reached.

Mute yourself

  • Select the Microphone icon to stop Copilot from listening.
  • Select it again to resume the conversation.

End the conversation

Select the X icon to end the voice session.

Conversation transcript

When a voice conversation ends, a text transcript of the conversation is available for reference.

Data and privacy

The way your data is handled depends on the voice feature you are using and your account type.

Work or school accounts

Dictation

Your speech is sent to Microsoft only to convert it into text.

  • Audio is not stored.
  • Dictated text is not stored as part of the dictation service.

Copilot Voice

User audio and Copilot audio are temporarily stored to support feedback scenarios.

  • Audio is only accessed if you submit feedback about the conversation.
  • Audio is deleted after 48 hours.
  • Background sounds may be included in recorded audio.

Read aloud

Read aloud uses client-side text-to-speech technology.

  • No audio is recorded.
  • No audio is stored.

Personal, Family, Premium, and Pro accounts

Voice data is used to provide the Copilot Voice experience.

  • Conversation transcripts are handled in the same way as your other Copilot conversation history.

More information on privacy

Supported languages and availability

Voice features are available in a growing set of languages and regions. See Supported languages for Microsoft Copilot.

Learn more