At Texthelp, we’re excited to introduce the Voice Access dictation tool as the new offline Talk&Type option for Read&Write on Windows. This update is designed to make speech-to-text functionality more accessible and reliable, especially in environments where internet access may be limited. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get started with Voice Access in Read&Write:

Step 1: Ensure Your System is Ready

Before using Voice Access, make sure your Windows operating system is up to date. Voice Access is available for Windows 11 22H2 and later and you can enable it through the system settings.

Step 2: Enabling Voice Access in Read&Write

1. Open Read&Write on your Windows device.
2. Go to the settings menu and select the ‘Talk&Type’ feature.
3. In the ‘Talk&Type’ options, toggle on “Use offline Speech Recognition” 

Step 3: Using Voice Access for Speech-to-Text

Once Voice Access is enabled, you can start using it to dictate text into any application that supports text input.

Click on the microphone icon in Read&Write. This will activate the Voice Access toolbar, which will appear below Read&Write.

Speak clearly into your device’s microphone. Voice Access will convert your speech into text in real-time.

Please note that an internet connection is required the first time you use Voice Access. After the initial setup, the dictation works offline, so there’s no need for an internet connection or to train the tool on your voice. This is particularly useful in environments like exams or secure workplaces where online access may be restricted.

Step 4: Best Practices for Using Voice Access

Microphone Quality: Use a good quality microphone for the best results.

Clear Speech: Speak clearly and at a moderate pace to ensure accurate transcription.

Environment: Use Voice Access in a quiet environment to minimize background noise.

With Voice Access, Read&Write continues to provide versatile and inclusive tools that cater to the diverse needs of students and employees. Whether you’re working in a multilingual environment or need a reliable offline dictation tool, Voice Access is here to support you.

How to Set Up Voice Access - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/set-up-voice-access-9fc44e29-12bf-4d86-bc4e-e9bb69df9a0e#bkmk_downloadlanguage 

Voice Access command list - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/voice-access-command-list-dac0f091-87ce-454d-8d57-bef38d3d8563