Fact · Dictation on Windows
Microsoft says Windows 11 device-based speech recognition processes your voice locally on your device and sends no voice data to Microsoft.
Checked against its source on October 16, 2026
In the source's own words
“Processes your voice locally on your device. No voice data is sent to Microsoft.”
Speech, voice activation, inking, typing, and privacy, Microsoft, Microsoft Support, n.d., Speech recognition, Windows 11 section.
Open the original- What it measures
- Microsoft's privacy article on speech, voice activation, inking and typing lists two kinds of speech recognition for Windows 11: device-based and online. Online recognition is the one that uses Microsoft's cloud services. The article does not list which dictation features use each mode.
- What it does not show
- The article does not say which features are device-based, and Voice typing (Win+H) is described as online. Check the setting before you rely on local processing for sensitive text.
Source
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