Directing Your Computer with Voice Commands

Windows Vista includes a powerful speech-recognition program that makes it possible for you to use your voice to command the computer. Although speech recognition is designed primarily for people who have difficulty using the keyboard and/or the mouse, the ability to direct Windows and your other programs with your voice has a certain authoritative appeal. And, as with the mouse or the keyboard, there are numerous ways to accomplish any specific task.

Start Speech Recognition

Start Windows Speech Recognition from the Start menu if it isn't already running. If it's running but sleeping, say "Start listening."

Use the commands that you learned in the tutorial or from Help. If you can't remember a command, say "What can I say?" to display Windows Help And Support, which lists all the commands you can use.

If you want to access something in a window but can't figure out how, say "Show numbers." Say the number for the item, and then say "OK."

See Also

"Dictating Text" on pages 174175 for information about using the Alternates Panel if a command isn't clearly understood.

Use the Commands

To do this	Say this
Start a program	"Start," and then the name of the program.
Open the Start menu	"Start."
Open a menu in a program or window	The name of the menu.
Activate a toolbar button	The name of the button.
Activate a link	The name of the link.
Click an item	"Click," and then the name of the item.
Use the equivalent of keystrokes	"Press," and then the name of the key or the name of the keyboard shortcut.
Switch to a program	"Switch to," and then the name of the program.
Scroll in a window	"Scroll down" or "Scroll up."
Scroll a specific number of lines	"Scroll," and then the number of lines.
Move the speech-recognition program out of the way	"Move speech recognition."
Work without using speech recognition	"Stop listening."

Tip

You must go through a full setup process prior to using the speech-recognition program for the first time, including setting up your microphone and stepping through a tutorial that teaches you the basics of using speech recognition.

Caution

Don't skip the tutorial! As you work your way through it, the speech-recognition program is learning to understand your voice and the way you pronounce words. If you skip the tutorial, the speech-recognition program won't be very effective.