It’s my great pleasure to be back to present another accessibility-themed skilling snack.
Voice access is a new feature in Windows 11, version 22H2 and later that enables everyone, including people with mobility disabilities, to control their PC using only their voice. After initial setup, it even works without an internet connection. And while today, it’s only available for six dialects of English, support for further languages is coming soon.
As an IT pro, this is a feature I encourage you to lean in and learn more about. Help your users be aware of it and be an ally when you come across someone who may benefit from its features.
Time to learn: 120 minutes
 WATCH
Inside Windows 11 Accessibility - Narrator, Live Captions, Voice Access Watch the behind-the-scenes story of Microsoft making accessibility features like Narrator, live captions and voice access for Windows 11 2022 update.
(3 mins) Windows 11 + Accessibility + Voice Access + Narrator + Live Captions + UX |
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 LEARN
Introduction to disability and accessibility Take this 600-XP learning module as a starting point on all things accessibility. Learn what the concepts of accessibility, disability, and inclusion mean. Explore appropriate disability language and etiquette when communicating with and about people with disabilities.
(31 mins) Accessibility + Disability + Inclusion + Etiquette + Assistive Technology + M365 |
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 READ
Get started with voice access This is a great guide to share with your users. Get to know the voice access user interface, including the microphone button and how to switch between microphone states. Learn how to double-check the visual feedback and execution status. Finish by configuring voice access settings and getting further help.
(10 mins) Microphone + UI + Command + Dictation + Mode + Keyboard Shortcut + Mouse Click + Feedback + Execution + Accessibility |
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 READ
Use voice access to control your PC and author text with your voice Here’s another go-to reference for your users. Locate helpful links to getting started, navigating and interacting with the PC, and authoring text with voice. Then follow guidance to set up a PC with voice access and sign in to a PC with voice. Read about new innovations with text corrections and support for Microsoft Defender Application Guard protected apps.
(6 mins) Accessibility + Windows 11 + OOBE + Keyboard + MDAG + Correct + Spell |
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 READ
Set up voice access Help individual users get started with voice access in Windows 11, version 22H2 and later. You’ll learn how to launch voice access, download language files, and set up your microphone. Today, you can use voice access with 6 English dialects.
(5 mins) Accessibility + Speech + Microphone |
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 READ
Troubleshooting live captions or voice access setup issues If you get an error message while setting up voice access, here’s the help! Make sure that your access to the Microsoft Store isn’t blocked. Follow the steps to check if it is and what to do about it.
(3 mins) MS Store + Store Package + Intel + AMD + ARM |
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 READ
Voice access command list Browse the list of all possible commands or search for those most relevant to you. Find commands to manage voice access and microphone, as well as interact with apps, controls, overlays, mouse, and the keyboard. Various commands for text dictation and editing are also available. (16 mins) Commands + Microphone + Keyboard + Mouse + Text + Control + Switch + Apps + Window + Direction + Numbers + Grid |
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 WATCH
Windows 11 Voice Access (Windows Insider Webcast) Jump right to minute 25 of this Windows Insider Program webcast focused on voice access. Watch the engineering team talk about what it is, how to set it up, and walk through a demo. While you’re at it, get other updates on the command help list and voice model!
(39 mins) Speech Recognition + English-US + Apps + Web + Mail |
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 READ
Voice access Frequently Asked Questions Want to know the difference between voice access, voice typing, and Windows Speech Recognition? Interested in using multi-display setup or a screen reader with voice access? Find answers to these and other questions here!
(7 mins) UI + WSR + Dragon + Voice Typing + Screen Reader + Language Files + Troubleshooting + Click + Commands |
Remember, when it comes to accessibility features, they may have been designed with particular disabilities in mind, but everyone can benefit. Disabilities can be temporary or even situational – you might have a repetitive strain injury, for example, and mixing things up and using your voice for both command and dictation from time to time instead of a keyboard and mouse, may give much needed relief to your body. Review Skilling snack: Accessibility in Windows 11 for more!
Want to voice-access our complete topics library? Open up Voice access and just say “Search on Bing for Windows skilling snacks." Tell us what you think in the comments!
Continue the conversation. Find best practices. Bookmark the Windows Tech Community ,then follow us @MSWindowsITPro on X/Twitter. Looking for support? Visit Windows on Microsoft Q&A.
