Published 2026-04-03.
Time to read: 1 minutes.
wsl collection.
Windows Voice Access
This is a feature of Windows 11 designed to replace older tools.
After an initial one-time download of language files, all speech-to-text and command processing happens strictly on your device without an internet connection.
- Search for Voice Access in the Start menu or go to Settings / Accessibility / Speech.
- Say “voice access wake up” or press the mic button to activate voice access.
- Toggle voice access by pressing Windows+CTRL+S.
With voice input enabled, say “what can I say” to see a list of commands.
There are so many possible commands that they are grouped.
This would not be a Microsoft product without some anti-competitive discrimination. Voice access does not recognize Firefox as a web browser, but Chrome is recognized (Microsoft Edge is based on Chrome.)
The only way to make Microsoft Voice Access create a new Firefox tab is to say “press control t”. To close the tab, say “press control F4”. I was unable to create a new voice shortcut that worked for Firefox.
Windows System Dictation (Older)
Windows System Dictation is free and works really well with Aider, regardless of whether it is installed as a Native Windows app or as a WSL app. Processing for Windows System Dictation requires an active internet connection because your audio is processed in Microsoft's cloud. Voice recognition is initatied by clicking a button.
- Select the window containing the Aider prompt.
- Press Win+H.
- Speak your instructions.
