Microsoft is testing a very useful feature within Windows 11 : voice shortcuts that allow you to launch any action.
Windows 11 continues to improve version after version. After a small update of the notepad functionality to end the year 2023, Microsoft is preparing more important new features for the next versions of its star OS. Among them, voice shortcuts which are currently in the testing phase within the latest “canary” build of the operating system.
Versions from this development branch are reserved for development teams and the most experienced users, due to their great instabilities. But they are also those which allow you to try out the new features of the system in preview. So be sure of what you’re doing if you switch to these versions of the OS.
Shortcuts for your repetitive tasks
Voice shortcuts (only usable in English at the moment) are an improvement to the voice access made available for Windows 11. Accessibility function designed for people with reduced mobility, this tool should soon allow you to create “ voice shortcuts” to make your life easier.
Within the voice access settings appeared (on build 26020) a small “Voice shortcuts” menu which should allow you to “create commands that correspond to a specific action, such as opening a URL, or to a series of actions performed successively.»
So, with a simple voice command, you can tell the OS to copy specific text into an input field, open a particular website or even virtually press keyboard shortcuts. The interface is simple with three fields allowing you to spell your voice command, choose the action to perform and store this shortcut in a specific group for those who wish.
Only in English at the moment
Obviously, voice commands will only work if your microphone is on. It also remains to be seen how the OS does for voice recognition and whether the functionality does not risk triggering false positives. But that’s what the testing phase is for on these beta versions of the system.
Source : Windows Insider Blog
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