Win+H needs a text box
Voice typing starts only after the cursor is in a field and the flyout shows Listening. If nothing happens, click the field first, then press Windows+H.
Windows how-to · Facts verified 2026-09-01
How to dictate on Windows
How to dictate on Windows
with Voice typing, Voice Access, or WhisperJot
To dictate on Windows 11, put the cursor in a text box, press Windows key + H (or the mic on the touch keyboard), wait for Listening, and speak. Voice typing needs internet, while Voice Access can work offline after a one-time language download. WhisperJot is a tray app with a global hotkey that types into the focused app using on-device engines by default.
Built-in path
How to use Windows voice typing (Win+H)
Windows 11 Voice typing starts with Windows key + H. Windows 11 also includes Voice Access for hands-free control and dictation. Windows 10 still has a Win+H dictation toolbar with fewer options.
- Start Voice typing. Place the cursor in a text box, press Windows key + H or tap the microphone on the touch keyboard, wait until you see Listening, then speak. Voice typing requires an internet connection because it uses online speech recognition.
- Adjust the flyout settings. Open the settings gear in the Voice typing flyout to change the voice typing launcher, automatic punctuation, the profanity filter, and the default microphone.
- Use spoken commands. Say stop listening, delete that, scratch that, select that, undo that, press enter, and punctuation words such as period, comma, question mark, new line, and new paragraph.
- Try Voice Access for offline control. On Windows 11 version 22H2 and later, open Settings > Accessibility > Speech > Voice access. It downloads language files once, then works offline on-device. Alt+Shift+C toggles the microphone. You can mix commands and dictation, for example Hello comma how are you question mark. Automatic punctuation is off by default. Voice Access replaced Windows Speech Recognition.
- Know the Windows 10 path. On Windows 10, Win+H opens the dictation toolbar, needs internet, supports fewer languages, and does not mention automatic punctuation. Say stop dictation to stop.
- Review the privacy toggle. Voice data for Voice typing is sent to Microsoft only to provide the service. The privacy control is Settings > Privacy & security > Speech > Online speech recognition.
Limits to know
Limits to know
- Windows 11 Voice typing requires an internet connection (online speech recognition) and supports more than 40 languages and dialects.
- Copilot+ PCs add fluid dictation, which corrects grammar, punctuation, and filler words on-device in English.
- Voice Access works offline after a one-time download and lists 15 dialects across English, Spanish, German, French, Chinese, Japanese, and Italian variants.
- Windows 10 dictation needs internet, supports fewer languages, and has you say stop dictation to stop.
The WhisperJot way
How to dictate on Windows with WhisperJot
- Install per user, no admin. Install WhisperJot with the per-user Windows installer. It runs as a tray app and does not require administrator rights.
- Press Ctrl+Alt+Space and speak. Place the cursor where you want text, press the default chord Ctrl+Alt+Space, and speak. WhisperJot types into whichever app has focus.
- Stay on-device by default. Jot Local and Jot Local Pro transcribe on-device and offline after the model download. Jot Cloud is opt-in: you consent before first use, it runs only while selected, and audio is never stored on our servers.
- Use cleanup and a 30-minute session cap. Spoken punctuation, filler removal, self-correction (no wait), number normalization, custom vocabulary, and spoken shortcuts land as you talk. Live partial text appears with the local engines. Each dictation session caps at 30 minutes.
Tips
Make the first session count.
Online versus offline
Voice typing needs internet. Voice Access can work offline after it downloads language files. WhisperJot local engines work offline after the model download.
Say the editing commands
stop listening, delete that, scratch that, and press enter are Voice typing commands. WhisperJot adds filler removal and an optional press enter send.
Copilot+ is a separate extra
Fluid dictation on Copilot+ PCs corrects grammar, punctuation, and filler words on-device in English. It is not the same as Win+H on every PC.
Questions
Straight answers.
How do I dictate on Windows?
On Windows 11, click a text box, press Windows key + H or the microphone on the touch keyboard, wait for Listening, and speak. Open the flyout gear for automatic punctuation, the launcher, the profanity filter, and the microphone. Voice typing needs internet. For offline use, turn on Voice Access under Settings > Accessibility > Speech, then toggle the mic with Alt+Shift+C.
How do I do speech to text on Windows 11?
Speech to text on Windows 11 is Voice typing (Win+H) for dictating into a field, or Voice Access for commands plus dictation. Voice typing uses online speech recognition and more than 40 languages and dialects. Voice Access downloads language files once, then runs on-device, with automatic punctuation off by default. WhisperJot adds a global hotkey that types into any focused app.
Does Windows voice typing work offline?
Windows 11 Voice typing does not: it requires an internet connection for online speech recognition. Voice Access is the Microsoft option that works offline after a one-time language download. WhisperJot's Jot Local and Jot Local Pro engines also run on-device and offline by default; Jot Cloud is an opt-in engine that is used only while you have it selected.
What is Windows Voice Access?
Voice Access is a Windows 11 (22H2 and later) accessibility feature under Settings > Accessibility > Speech. It replaced Windows Speech Recognition. After the language files download, it works offline. You dictate with spoken punctuation such as Hello comma how are you question mark, and Alt+Shift+C toggles the microphone. Automatic punctuation starts off.
Sources
Vendor documentation.
Sources, checked 2026-09-01: Microsoft: Use voice typing, Microsoft: Speech, voice, and privacy, Microsoft: Open the dictation toolbar, Microsoft: Set up Voice Access, Microsoft: Get started with Voice Access, Microsoft: Dictate text with Voice Access. Vendor features change — check each product's documentation for current behavior.
Related: Dictation software for Windows · App-by-app dictation guides · How to use voice typing · Pricing · 30-second browser demo
One hotkey, wherever you write.
WhisperJot types into the focused app and runs local transcription on your device by default.