Windows 11s voice access tool is the successor toWindows Speech Recognitionand is a completely separate tool.

The quickest way is with theWin+ikeyboard shortcut, but it’s also available from the Start menu.

Win+Uis the keyboard shortcut to open Accessibility parameters.

Settings in the Windows 11 Start menu app list

Scroll down and selectSpeech.

opt for switch to the right ofVoice accessto turn the feature on.

Voice access is available in Windows 11 v22H2 and later.

Accessibility in the Windows 11 Settings app

If you don’t see the option in prefs,update Windows 11 to the latest version.

Windows voice access feature should now open as a thin app running across the top of the screen.

A small welcome popup message will appear if this is your first time using it.

Speech in the Windows 11 Settings app

Select theXicon to close this popup.

SelectDownloadto install necessary files associated with the voice access feature.

Simply select your microphone from the list, then select theright arrow, and then pressDoneto continue.

Voice access switched Off in Windows 11 Settings

Microsoft Array refers to the built-in microphone on Microsoft Surface and other Windows devices.

To turn voice access off via the Windows taskbar, right-smack the voice access icon and selectClose window.

Alternatively, openSettingsand go toAccessibility>Speechto find theVoice accesstoggle.

Voice access welcome window and Voice access toggle On in Windows Settings

This tool can be opened and used at any time as many times as you like.

Heres how to use the voice access interactive guide.

Select thequestion markicon from the voice access toolbar.

Download highlighted in Windows 11 voice access settings

Experiment with the sample voice commands on this screen and opt for lower-right arrow when complete.

The first instruction, voice access wake up, activates voice access.

This includes any music playing in the background and even media playing on your TV.

Microphone and Select default microphone highlighted in Windows 11 voice access settings

Try this second selection of tips and snag the arrow when youre ready to continue.

Repeat for this third page of instructions.

Finally, selectView commandsto open a list of available voice commands.

Turn off voice access in Windows 11 desktop voice access menu

Alternatively, chooseDoneto wrap up the voice access introduction.

FAQ

Toaccess Windows 11 Sound Recorder, open theStartmenu and search forSound Recorder.

Selectrecordto begin recording, then selectpauseorstopwhen you’re finished.

Close window highlighted in the voice access app menu in the Windows 11 taskbar

You cantransfer iPhone Voice Memos to your computervia iTunes or iCloud.

Voice access app in Windows 11 Start menu

Start interactive guide in the voice access toolbar in the Windows 11 desktop

Forward arrow in the Windows 11 voice access interactive guide

Forward arrow in the Windows 11 voice access interactive guide

Forward arrow in the Windows 11 voice access interactive guide

View commands and Done in Windows 11 voice access interactive guide tutorial