11 Windows Voice Access Commands That Save Your Hands

Imagine settling in to answer email with a wrist brace on, a laptop open, and a deadline that did not move when your hand started hurting. Instead of reaching for the mouse every few seconds, you say, ‘Open Outlook,’ ‘Show numbers,’ and ‘Click 12.’ Windows responds while your hands stay at rest. That is the practical value of Windows Voice Access commands: they can turn common navigation and text tasks into short spoken instructions.

Voice Access is a Windows 11 accessibility feature for controlling the PC and authoring text with your voice. Microsoft says it is available in Windows 11, version 22H2 and later. After initial setup and the required language files are downloaded, speech recognition happens on the device, so Voice Access can work without an internet connection. It can be useful whether you have a permanent mobility limitation, a temporary injury, variable pain or fatigue, or simply want to reduce repeated reaching and clicking.

Before you use these Windows Voice Access commands

Open Settings > Accessibility > Speech, then turn on Voice Access. The first setup downloads a speech model for the selected supported language. You will also choose a microphone and complete the setup guide. Once the Voice Access bar is listening, speak commands at a steady, natural pace. You do not need to shout. Keep Microsoft’s official Voice Access command list nearby while you learn.

Do not confuse Voice Access with Windows Voice Typing. Voice Access offers full PC control on supported Windows 11 versions and can work offline after setup. Voice Typing is the lighter dictation panel launched with Windows key + H while the cursor is in a text box. Microsoft’s Voice Typing documentation says it uses online speech recognition, so it requires an internet connection. See our dictation tool comparison if your main goal is longer-form dictation rather than full hands-free navigation.

1. ‘Voice access wake up’

Start with the command that makes the rest possible. Say ‘Voice access wake up’ when Voice Access is in its sleep state. The status bar changes to listening, and commands become active. When you need to pause without closing the feature, say ‘Voice access sleep’. Microsoft also lists ‘Turn off microphone’ for switching the microphone off.

This distinction is useful during meetings or conversations. Sleep mode lets you resume by voice, while turning the microphone off requires another input method to switch it on.

2. ‘Open <app name>’

Say ‘Open Edge,’ ‘Open Settings,’ or ‘Open Notepad’ to launch an app. This command removes the Start menu search, pointer travel, and click from a frequent workflow. Use the app name Windows displays. If two items sound alike or Windows is uncertain, Voice Access may present choices to disambiguate.

Build an opening sequence around the tools you use most. For example: ‘Open Outlook,’ wait for it to appear, then use the next command to move between open windows.

3. ‘Switch to <app name>’

Say ‘Switch to Word’ or name another open app to bring its window into focus. It is the voice equivalent of reaching for the taskbar or cycling through windows. This is especially helpful when copying information from a browser into a document or moving between communication and reference apps.

If an app has several windows, Voice Access can show numbered options. Choose the relevant number instead of forcing a precise pointer movement.

4. ‘Show numbers’

Say ‘Show numbers’ to place numbered labels over clickable items on the screen. Then say ‘Click <number>’, such as ‘Click 12.’ This pair is one of the most adaptable Windows Voice Access commands because it works even when you do not know a button’s accessible name.

Microsoft also lists ‘Show numbers here’ for the active app, ‘Show numbers on <app name>’ for a particular window, and ‘Hide numbers’ to remove the overlay. Use the smallest useful scope when the screen is crowded.

5. ‘Click <item name>’

When a control has a clear label, address it directly. Commands such as ‘Click Save,’ ‘Click Search,’ or ‘Click Cancel’ avoid the extra overlay step. Voice Access supports related pointer actions including ‘Double-click’ and ‘Right-click.’

Direct labels are fastest on familiar screens. If the command selects the wrong element or no label is visible, switch to ‘Show numbers’ rather than repeating the same phrase.

6. ‘Show grid’

Some targets have no useful label and do not receive a number. Say ‘Show grid’ to divide the screen into numbered regions. Speak a region number to zoom in, repeat until the pointer target is isolated, then say ‘Click.’ The grid is practical for maps, drawing canvases, remote desktops, and unusual app interfaces.

You can also use the grid to drag an item between locations. It is slower than clicking a named control, so treat it as a precision fallback rather than the default for every action.

7. ‘Scroll down’

Say ‘Scroll down’ or ‘Scroll up’ to move through a webpage, document, settings panel, or message list. Microsoft’s command list also includes scrolling left, right, to the top, and to the bottom where supported.

Scrolling by voice can remove one of the most repetitive mouse-wheel or touchpad gestures. Give the page time to settle before issuing the next command, especially in a browser that loads more content while you move.

8. ‘Press <key>’

Voice Access can reproduce keyboard input. Say ‘Press Enter,’ ‘Press Escape,’ or ‘Press Tab three times.’ For combinations, Microsoft supports forms such as ‘Press Control and S’ and commands that name multiple keys.

This is valuable when an app exposes a dependable shortcut but has an awkward visual interface. Use familiar shortcuts carefully because the result depends on which window and control currently have focus. Our guide to Windows dictation shortcuts covers additional keyboard-oriented options for text workflows.

9. ‘Select <text>’

While editing, say ‘Select <text>’ and speak the words you want highlighted. You can then dictate replacement wording or apply formatting. Voice Access also supports selection by position and range, including commands for previous or next words and lines, as documented in Microsoft’s text-authoring guide.

Use a longer, distinctive phrase when the same word occurs several times. If Voice Access identifies multiple matches, choose the numbered instance. Confirm the selection visually before replacing it in important text.

10. ‘Delete that’

Say ‘Delete that’ after dictating text to remove the most recent spoken phrase. It is a quick recovery command when you restart a sentence or add an unnecessary clause. For targeted edits, select the exact words first and then say ‘Delete that.’

Voice editing is easier when you work in short chunks. Speak a sentence, check it, and repair it before continuing. This reduces the effort of navigating back through a large block later. If recognition errors are frequent, review these voice typing accuracy fixes, including microphone placement and background-noise checks.

11. ‘Correct that’

After Voice Access inserts the wrong word or phrase, say ‘Correct that.’ A correction panel offers alternatives for the most recent text. Choose an option by number, or spell the intended word if the available choices are not right. You can also select earlier text and invoke correction for that selection.

Correction is worth learning because recognition will not be perfect for every name, acronym, or specialist term. A repeatable repair flow keeps you in voice control instead of turning every error into a keyboard task.

Voice Access command cheat sheet

Goal	Say	Best used when
Resume listening	Voice access wake up	The bar is sleeping
Launch software	Open <app name>	The app is closed
Change windows	Switch to <app name>	The app is already open
Reveal clickable targets	Show numbers	Labels are unclear
Activate a labeled control	Click <item name>	The label is visible
Target an unusual location	Show grid	No label or number appears
Move through content	Scroll down	Reading a long page
Use a keyboard action	Press <key>	A shortcut is predictable
Highlight words	Select <text>	Editing a specific phrase
Remove dictated words	Delete that	The latest phrase is unwanted
Repair recognition	Correct that	The latest text is wrong

A low-friction practice checklist

• Start in a low-risk document, not a form that submits immediately.
• Practice wake, sleep, open, switch, and scroll before text editing.
• Use direct labels first, number overlays second, and the grid for precision fallback.
• Pause after window changes so the intended app has focus.
• Review selected text before deleting or replacing it.
• Keep a keyboard, switch, or other input method available while learning.

Voice control does not need to replace every input method to be worthwhile. A mixed workflow can reserve voice for repetitive navigation and drafting while keeping whichever manual controls are comfortable for detailed review. Talkpad, available on macOS and Windows, is another option when your priority is push-to-talk dictation rather than complete hands-free PC control.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Voice Access and Voice Typing in Windows?

Voice Access controls the Windows 11 PC, including apps, pointer actions, keyboard actions, and text entry. Voice Typing opens with Windows key + H in a text field and focuses on dictation. Microsoft says Voice Access can work without internet after setup, while Voice Typing uses online speech recognition and requires an internet connection.

Does Windows Voice Access work without the internet?

Yes. Microsoft says Voice Access uses on-device speech recognition and works without an internet connection after the required language files are downloaded during setup.

Which Windows versions support Voice Access?

Microsoft lists Voice Access for Windows 11, version 22H2 and later. Availability of features and languages can vary by Windows release, so check Microsoft’s current support pages for your installation.

How do I click something that Voice Access cannot identify by name?

Say ‘Show numbers’ and then ‘Click’ followed by the number over the target. If no numbered target appears, say ‘Show grid,’ choose progressively smaller numbered regions, and then say ‘Click.’

Can Voice Access correct dictated text?

Yes. Say ‘Correct that’ for the latest recognized text, or select earlier text and use the correction command. Choose a proposed alternative by number or spell the intended word when needed.

Give your hands another way to work

The best command is the one that replaces a movement you repeat all day. Start with ‘Show numbers’ for clicking and ‘Scroll down’ for reading, then add selection and correction once navigation feels predictable. If you want focused push-to-talk drafting alongside your regular Windows workflow, Talkpad can help you turn speech into text without adopting full voice control.

Download Talkpad for free – 2,500 words/week on the free plan.