Fact · Dictation on Windows
Microsoft says that if you do not use headphones to listen to a screen reader, the screen reader's audio may be picked up by the Voice access microphone, which can cause undesirable behavior.
Checked against its source on October 16, 2026
In the source's own words
“If you don't use headphones for listening to the screen reader, the audio output from the screen reader may get picked up by the voice access microphone, resulting in undesirable behavior.”
Voice access frequently asked questions (FAQs), Microsoft, Microsoft Support, 2026, Note in the FAQ, after the list of Voice access features.
Open the original- What it measures
- Microsoft's FAQ includes this note in its description of Voice access features used with a screen reader. The Voice access microphone is the one that listens for your commands.
- What it does not show
- The note says undesirable behavior, without describing it. It is a possible cause for screen reader users, and Microsoft does not say how often it happens.