What is the shortcut for voice typing in Windows?

The shortcut is Windows key + H. Press it with the cursor in a text box and Windows starts voice typing, which writes your speech where the cursor is. On a touch keyboard, the same job is done by the Microphone button. Microsoft's Windows 11 help gives both ways to start it ¹.

The shortcut does nothing without a text box. Microsoft says voice typing can start only when the cursor is in a text box ². So the order matters: click into the document, email or search box first, then press the keys. Our full guide to Windows voice typing covers the steps after that.

The same key combination works on Windows 10 with a different tool

Windows 10 uses the same keys, but they open an older feature. On Windows 10, you select a text field and press the Windows logo key + H, and Microsoft says this opens the dictation toolbar ³. Windows 11 calls the feature voice typing, and the shortcut is the same in both versions.

The versions differ in more than the name. Windows 10 dictation's editing commands work only in US English ⁴, so if you need commands in another language, check the language list before you rely on the feature. Our question on dictation in Windows 10 walks through that version.

Voice typing stops when you say the command or press the microphone

You do not need a second shortcut to stop. Microsoft says you stop voice typing by saying a command such as "Stop listening", or by pressing the microphone button on the voice typing menu ⁵. Microsoft's voice typing pages do not list Windows key + H as a way to stop it.

When Windows key + H does nothing, check four things

Most failures come from one of four causes, and Microsoft's requirements list covers all of them:

1. The cursor is not in a text box. Click into the field and try again.
2. There is no internet connection. Voice typing needs one, because it converts speech with online recognition ⁶.
3. Voice Access is running. If it is, Windows tells you to dictate with Voice Access instead of starting voice typing ⁷. Close Voice Access, or use it for dictation.
4. The language is not supported. Press Windows key + Spacebar and choose a supported language, as Microsoft's troubleshooting page advises.

Microphone access is the other common cause. Voice typing needs it, and you turn it on under Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone ⁸. The question on why dictation keeps stopping covers the pause problem, which is a separate issue.

On a Mac or in Google Docs, the shortcut is different

If you searched for voice typing on another device, the key is not the same. On a Mac, the answer depends on your keyboard and settings, and our question on the voice typing shortcut on every computer lists them side by side. Inside Windows, some apps have their own dictation controls, such as Dictate in Word. Those belong to the app, so they do not change what Windows key + H does in other apps.

Summary of what to press

• Windows 11 and Windows 10: Windows key + H, with the cursor in a text box.
• Touch keyboard: the Microphone button.
• Stop: say "Stop listening" or press the microphone button.

For what the built-in tool is and whether Windows has dictation at all, read our answer on whether Windows has dictation. Terms used here are defined in our glossary entries for voice typing and microphone key. For every Windows dictation topic, our Windows overview links each guide.