Windows 8 In Depth

Controlling Your Computer with Speech Recognition

If due to injury or age you find that using a mouse and keyboard is too time-consuming, too difficult, or too frustrating, you may think you’re out of luck—because how else are you supposed to control your computer? Fortunately, there is another way: voice commands. Using the Speech Recognition feature, you can speak commands into a microphone, and Windows will do your bidding.

Does it really work? Actually, most of the time, yes—it really does. Windows 8 has very good voice-recognition technology, and as long as you’re in a relatively quiet room and speak clearly, Windows will recognize actions such as click, double-click, and select; commands such as Save, Copy, and Close; keystrokes such as ...