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 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."
"Dictating Text" for information about using the Alternates Panel if a command isn’t clearly understood.
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." |