Microsoft is elevating the voice command capabilities of Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs equipped with Snapdragon CPUs, making it easier for users to interact with their devices using natural language.
This new feature is currently being tested in the Dev channel with preview build 26120.3576 and expands the existing Voice Access functionality. Users will soon be able to issue commands like “Open Chrome” more flexibly, allowing for variations such as “Could you please open my Chrome browser?”—a significant improvement over the previous requirement for exact phrasing.
With this update, users can communicate in a more relaxed, conversational manner, similar to how they would interact with an AI like Copilot. However, it’s important to note that this feature is still rolling out, so not all Windows Insiders may have access to it immediately.
Additionally, Microsoft is enhancing Voice Access to support the Chinese language, offering both simplified and traditional options in this latest preview build.
The update also includes adjustments to the Recall feature, addressing bugs like issues with saving snapshots and shifting the Click to Do functionality to process ‘intelligent text actions’ locally for improved security, rather than relying on cloud processing.
While voice commands are particularly beneficial for users with accessibility needs, they can also enhance convenience for all Windows 11 users. The previous requirement for precise command phrasing may have limited their usage, but this shift towards more natural language is expected to boost the feature’s popularity.
Voice Access will also intelligently suggest alternative commands if it doesn’t understand a user’s request, allowing for a smoother experience.
Currently, this enhancement is exclusive to Snapdragon (Arm-based) Copilot+ PCs, and it remains to be seen if it will extend to other Copilot+ devices with Intel or AMD processors. However, given Microsoft’s track record, a broader rollout seems likely.
As a reminder, features in testing are not guaranteed to be released, but it would be surprising if Microsoft did not continue to develop this promising functionality.