Potok transcribes Russian speech; this site has been translated into English for convenience.
Whether Win+H works depends on the Windows version: Windows 10 has voice input, but it is an older version with a short list of languages and no Russian, while Windows 11 supports Russian. There are 3 options: Win+H in a supported language, Windows Speech Recognition (Win+Ctrl+S) for controlling the computer by voice, or moving to Windows 11 for Russian. Potok is an option for dictation in Russian.
Win+H is the built-in voice input of Windows, and the answer to "why does it not work" depends on which version of Windows is on the computer: Windows 10 and Windows 11 have different capabilities.
Why Win+H does not work: first find out which Windows version you have
Before looking for a replacement, understand that Win+H exists in both Windows 10 and Windows 11. It is not a feature that appeared in only one version. The difference is in capabilities: in Windows 10 it is an older, cut-down version of voice input with a short list of languages, where Russian is missing entirely. In Windows 11 voice input is broader, and it officially supports Russian. So if Win+H "does not work" specifically in Russian, the cause is most often not a fault but that the Windows version does not support the language you need. If Win+H turns on but types something other than what you say, that is a separate case, covered on the page Win+H types in English.
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The user is looking for a replacement for Win+H voice input, thinking it is a Windows 11 only feature | Built-in dictation on Win+H exists in Windows 10 too, but it is an older, cut-down version with a short list of languages; the classic Windows Speech Recognition (Win+Ctrl+S) is available separately, an offline tool with voice training, also without Russian. | 1) for basic dictation on Windows 10, Win+H if the language is supported; 2) for controlling the PC by voice, Windows Speech Recognition through Win+Ctrl+S; 3) for voice input in Russian, moving to Windows 11, where voice typing officially supports Russian. |
Which option to choose instead of Win+H
Which option fits depends on what you need and which version of Windows is installed.
- For basic text dictation on Windows 10, Win+H itself works, as long as the language you need is on its list of supported languages.
- For controlling the computer by voice, not just dictating text, there is a separate tool, the classic Windows Speech Recognition, which starts with Win+Ctrl+S.
- For voice input in Russian on Windows 10, neither Win+H nor Windows Speech Recognition will do. Moving to Windows 11 solves this, because voice input there officially supports Russian.
For more on what can go wrong with Russian after moving to Windows 11, see the page Windows 11 voice input in Russian.
If none of the options works for you
If, after choosing a suitable option (Win+H, Windows Speech Recognition or moving to Windows 11), dictation in Russian still falls short on speed or convenience, there is a third-party solution. Potok is a cloud service: recognition runs on servers in Russia, and it does not work without the internet. For voice input in Russian on a computer, it can be one option instead of system dictation.
Frequently asked questions
No. According to Microsoft, Win+H voice input officially supports Russian only from Windows 11 on. Windows 10 offers only Win+H with a limited list of languages without Russian, and Windows Speech Recognition (Win+Ctrl+S), also without Russian.
No. Windows voice input (Win+H) recognizes speech in the Microsoft cloud and does not work without an internet connection.
Press Win+H in any text field and the built-in dictation panel opens. For controlling the computer by voice there is a separate feature, Windows Speech Recognition (Win+Ctrl+S).
Since the built-in Win+H dictation on Windows 10 officially does not support Russian, a sensible alternative is a separate app for voice input in Russian, for example Potok. It inserts text into the active field of any app, including on Windows 10.
Win+H (Voice Typing) only dictates text into an input field. Voice Access is a separate feature from Windows 11 version 22H2: it controls the whole computer by voice (open an app, click, scroll), not just text input.
Voice Access is a feature of Windows 11 version 22H2 and newer that lets you control the computer and enter text by voice. In Windows 11 22H2 and newer it replaced the classic Windows Speech Recognition. Voice Access has no Russian language.
Check it in one evening
Install Potok, dictate what you usually type and compare. 14 days of full access, no card needed. Potok is a cloud service: speech is recognized on servers in Russia, and it does not work without the internet.
Download PotokOne subscription, two tools: dictation in any program on your computer and @potok_now_bot in Telegram, which transcribes voice messages, audio and video.
Built-in dictation and Potok
| Tool | Where it works | Russian language | Where speech is recognized |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows voice typing (Win+H) | Windows 10 and 11 | Windows 11 only | Microsoft cloud, does not work offline |
| macOS Dictation | macOS | yes | on the device or on Apple servers |
| Potok | Windows, macOS, Linux | primary language | cloud, servers in Russia, does not work offline |
Primary sources: support.microsoft.com · support.microsoft.com · support.apple.com