How to use voice typing on Windows 11

2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Voice typing turns speech into text in any program: an email, a document, a chat. It is built into Windows 11 and understands more than 40 languages. For longer texts it is usually faster than typing.

These steps are for Windows 11. The pictures are diagrams of the keys to press.

Step by step

1. Click where the text should go

   The cursor must be blinking in a text box, a document or a message field.

   Done

2. Press Windows + H

   The voice typing bar appears and starts listening at once. On a touch keyboard, tap the microphone key instead.

   Done

3. Speak

   Talk at a normal speed. The words appear as you speak, with a short delay.

   Done

4. Add punctuation

   Say the name of the mark: "comma", "period", "question mark", "exclamation mark". Say "new line" to start a new line. Or let Windows do it: click the settings cog on the voice typing bar and switch on Automatic punctuation.

   Done

5. Correct mistakes by voice

   Say "delete that" to remove what you just said, or "select that" to mark it.

   Done

6. Stop

   Say "stop listening", click the microphone on the bar, or press Windows + H again.

   Done

Good to know

Voice typing uses the language of the keyboard that is active. To dictate in another language, switch the input language with Windows + Spacebar or with the language button on the taskbar. The language has to be installed in Windows.

In the settings of the bar you can also choose the microphone, switch on the voice typing launcher, which shows a small microphone button whenever you click into a text box, and turn the profanity filter on or off.

If nothing is typed, the microphone is usually the cause: Windows 11 microphone not working: 6 fixes to try.

The same idea on a Mac: how to use dictation on a Mac.

In short: Click into a text box, Windows + H, speak, say the punctuation, "stop listening".