Official documentation
Get started with voice features in Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Support, 2026
Read the originalRead on October 16, 2026
- What it is
- Microsoft's help article on the three voice features in Microsoft Copilot: dictation into the chat prompt box, read aloud, and Copilot Voice, a real-time spoken conversation. It also sets out the data handling for work or school and personal accounts.
- How much weight it carries
- Official vendor documentation, dated 2026 and maintained by Microsoft. It describes Copilot's own voice features only, not Windows voice typing, and it can change with app updates.
Facts taken from this source
- For work or school accounts, Microsoft says dictation sends your speech only to convert it to text, and the audio is not stored.
“Your speech is sent to Microsoft only to convert it into text. Audio is not stored.” (Chat with Copilot using your voice, Data and privacy)
- Microsoft says Copilot transcribes your speech into text in real time during dictation.
“Copilot transcribes your speech into text in real time.” (Dictate messages to Copilot, steps)
- Microsoft tells you to review the transcribed or generated content for accuracy, because AI may occasionally misinterpret speech or produce errors.
“Review the transcribed or generated content for accuracy because AI may occasionally misinterpret speech or produce errors.” (Dictate messages to Copilot, final steps)
- Microsoft describes dictation in Copilot as a way to speak your prompt instead of typing it.
“Speak your prompt instead of typing. Work or school accounts” (Supported languages and availability, feature table)
- In Copilot, dictation starts from the chat prompt box, where you select Start dictation.
“In the chat prompt box, select Start dictation” (Dictate messages to Copilot, Start dictation)
- Microsoft's dictation steps start from the Copilot web experience or the Microsoft Copilot app on your desktop or mobile device.
“Sign in to copilot.cloud.microsoft or open the Microsoft Copilot app on your desktop or mobile device.” (Dictate messages to Copilot, steps)
- Microsoft lists Copilot dictation as available for work or school accounts, not for personal accounts.
“Speak your prompt instead of typing. Work or school accounts” (Supported languages and availability, feature table)
- For work or school accounts, Microsoft says Copilot Voice audio is temporarily stored for feedback and deleted after 48 hours.
“User audio and Copilot audio are temporarily stored to support feedback scenarios. Audio is only accessed if you submit feedback about the conversation. Audio is deleted after 48 hours.” (Chat with Copilot using your voice, Data and privacy)
- Microsoft says voice availability in Copilot depends on your subscription and region.
“Voice availability depends on your subscription and region.” (Note at the top of the article)
- Microsoft says the first time you use voice in Copilot Chat, you may be asked to allow microphone access, and you can change this later in your browser or device settings.
“The first time you use voice in Copilot Chat, you may be asked to allow microphone access.” (Note under the feature table)
- For personal accounts, Microsoft says voice data is used to provide the Copilot Voice experience.
“Voice data is used to provide the Copilot Voice experience.” (Chat with Copilot using your voice, Data and privacy)
- Microsoft lists Copilot Voice, the real-time spoken conversation, as available for work or school and personal accounts.
“Have a real-time spoken conversation with Copilot. Work or school and personal accounts” (Supported languages and availability, feature table)
- Microsoft's steps for a Copilot Chat voice conversation begin by selecting the Voice icon in the message composer.
“Select the Voice icon in the message composer.” (Start a voice conversation)
- Microsoft says that when a Copilot voice conversation ends, a text transcript of the conversation is available for reference.
“When a voice conversation ends, a text transcript of the conversation is available for reference.” (Chat with Copilot using your voice, Conversation transcript)
Pages that rest on this source
- Speech to Text for Students: Essays, Notes, HomeworkGuide
- Copilot Voice and Dictation on WindowsGuide
- Dictation at Work: Enterprise and Government PoliciesGuide
- Can your employer see what you dictate?Question
- Is Speech to Text AI? What Kind of AI Voice Typing UsesGuide
- Does Microsoft dictation use AI?Question
- Is speech to text generative AI?Question
- What is the difference between speech to text and AI?Question
- Human vs AI Transcription: Accuracy, Cost, SpeedGuide
- Can Copilot take dictation?Question
- The Future of Typing: Voice, AI and the KeyboardGuide
- How to Dictate Into Any App: Built-in vs System-WideGuide
- How do you talk to Copilot with your voice on Windows?Question
- Is using speech to text for an essay cheating?Question
- What should a company dictation policy include?Question
- Why is dictation not working in Copilot?Question
- Is Voice to Text Safe? How to Dictate PrivatelyGuide
- Voice Data Retention: What Apple, Google and Microsoft KeepGuide
- Does Microsoft keep your voice recordings?Question
- Can Copilot transcribe audio to text?Question