Martin Jud
Guide

Windows tip: talk, don’t type

Martin Jud
30.5.2024
Translation: Veronica Bielawski

Too lazy to type with your fingers? Here’s how you can type with your voice instead.

With Windows voice typing, you can convert your speech into text. To open Microsoft Speech Services, press Windows key + H. To use it, you’ll need the following two things:

  1. An active internet connection; the speech-to-text conversion takes place online using Azure Speech services.
  2. An installed language with speech-to-text support.

Supported languages

Unfortunately, not all languages are supported by the speech-to-text function. Examples of language packs that do work with voice typing include German (Germany), French (France) and Italian (Italy). On the other hand, German (Switzerland), French (Switzerland) and Italian (Switzerland) are not supported.

Here’s an overview of all supported languages.

How to install a language

To install a language, go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region.

How to quickly switch the language

Changing the language in the settings every time is tedious. Here’s what you can do instead: press Windows key + space bar.

To start voice typing, hit Windows key + H or, if using an on-screen keyboard, press the microphone key next to the space bar.


Need more Windows tips? In the article below, you’ll find links to all previously published editions of this series.

Header image: Martin Jud

15 people like this article


User Avatar
User Avatar

I find my muse in everything. When I don’t, I draw inspiration from daydreaming. After all, if you dream, you don’t sleep through life.


Computing
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest

Notebooks
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest

Software
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest

Guide

Practical solutions for everyday problems with technology, household hacks and much more.

Show all

These articles might also interest you

  • Guide

    Windows 10 support ending: your options starting from October 2025

    by Martin Jud

  • Guide

    Windows tip: how to use touchpad gestures

    by Martin Jud

  • Guide

    Windows tip: integrate network drives in Explorer

    by Martin Jud