Voice Access (Windows 11)
Hopefully you caught the last post on Voice Typing in Windows 11! This post goes (yet another) step farther, and introduces the wonderful world of “Voice Access”!
What is Voice Access?
Voice Access is a feature available on Windows computers running Windows Version 11. It allows users to interact with, and control their computer, using their voice.
Launching Voice Access
You can launch Voice Access in a couple of different ways:
- From the start menu, select settings, then accessibility, then speech. Turn on Voice Access.
- In the Windows Search bar, search for “voice access”, then open the application.
Hint: With Voice Access open, right click on the Voice Access icon on your toolbar, and then select either “Pin to Start” or “Pin to Taskbar”
Getting Started with Voice Access
Voice Access has an amazing “Voice Access Guide” that is built right in. The first time you launch Voice Access, we’d highly encourage you to go through this guide. You can access the Voice Access Guide in the following ways:
- from the Voice Access UI (user interface, or window), select the help button, and then select the option to “Start Interactive Guide”
- say “Open Voice Access Guide” while Voice Access is on and listening
“States” of Voice Access
We like to think of the states of Voice Access like different phases of being awake.
If Voice Access is in the Sleep State, it’s not really listening to you, but, if you say the magic words (a voice command) it will turn on and listen (just like if someone is asleep and you yell loud enough, you’d probably wake them up).
Once you’ve “woken” Voice Access up, it’s in the Listening State, which is when it is fully awake and listening to anything you are dictating or any voice commands you are using.
The last state of Voice Access is the Microphone off State which means Voice Access isn’t hearing a thing you’re saying, not even voice commands. The only way to “wake” Voice Access (or to turn it on from this state) is to click on the Microphone button.
There are also keyboard shortcuts and mouse click sequences that you can use to move Voice Access between states.
Switch Between States with your Keyboard or Mouse, Microsoft Support
Using Voice Access
Using Voice Access may take some time, but it is helpful to think of how you might want to use Voice Access, and then stick to learning how to use it piece by piece. Given this is a lot of information to cover, rather than type it all out in this blog, we are going to categorize a few major ways to use Voice Access, and then reference Microsoft Support Articles.
Working with Windows (of Programs and Applications) with your Voice
Working with Windows of programs and applications covers actions such as opening or closing windows, switching between windows, scrolling through windows, etc…
Use voice to work with windows and apps – Microsoft Support
Using the Mouse with your Voice
You can move the mouse either using a grid overlay, or with motion commands, as well as perform mouse clicks all using your voice!
Use the mouse with voice – Microsoft Support
Interacting with Items on your Screen with your Voice
Interacting with items on your screen would account for actions such as selecting or focusing on an item.
Use voice to interact with items on the screen – Microsoft Support
Using the Keyboard with your Voice
Sounds similar to Voice Typing (or Voice Dictation), but adds in how to replicate common keyboard presses (e.g., pressing the “esc” key to close a window), with voice commands.
Use the keyboard with voice – Microsoft Support