Explore the features: Windows Speech Recognition

Windows Speech Recognition

This feature is included in the following editions of Windows Vista:

	Home Basic
	Home Premium
	Business
	Ultimate

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Windows Speech Recognition in Windows Vista allows you to interact with your computer by voice. With Windows Speech Recognition, you can dictate documents and e-mails in mainstream applications, use voice commands to start and switch between applications, control the operating system, and fill out forms on the web.

The latest Microsoft speech technologies

Speech recognition improves with each use, as it adapts to your speaking style and vocabulary. Windows Speech Recognition is available in English (U.S.), English (U.K.), German (Germany), French (France), Spanish (Spain), Japanese, Chinese (Traditional), and Chinese (Simplified).

Windows Speech Recognition guides you through setup on your computer.

Natural user interface

Windows Speech Recognition guides you through setup and an interactive training experience that familiarizes you with key concepts and commands. It also features a natural user interface that efficiently assists you in controlling your computer by voice. By providing alternatives and asking questions, it helps clarify what you mean. To make a correction, select an alternative from the list provided, or spell it.

The user interface in Windows Speech Recognition.

Key features

Feature		Brief description
Commanding		"Say what you see" commands enable you to naturally control applications and complete tasks, such as: formatting and saving documents; opening and switching between applications; and opening, copying, and deleting files. You can also browse the Internet by saying the names of links.
Correction		Fix incorrectly recognized words by selecting from alternatives provided for the dictated phrase or word, or by spelling the word.
Dictation		Dictate e-mails and documents make corrections, and save your work—by voice.
Disambiguation		Resolve ambiguous words and phrasings with a user interface for clarification. When you say a command that can be interpreted in multiple ways, the system clarifies what you mean.
"How do I" help (U.S. English only)		You can say "How do I" followed by a task you want to perform with your computer. For example, "How do I change my desktop background?"
User interface		The user interface provides an efficient experience for dictating and editing text, correcting mistakes, and controlling your computer by voice.
Interactive tutorial		The interactive tutorial teaches you how to use Windows Speech Recognition in Windows Vista and it teaches the recognition system what your voice sounds like.
Personalization (adaptation)		Ongoing adaptation to both your speaking style and accent continually improves speech recognition accuracy.
Support for multiple languages		Windows Speech Recognition in Windows Vista is available in eight languages/dialects.