What happened to it
In Microsoft's words: “Voice access replaced Windows Speech Recognition (WSR) for Windows 11 22H2 and later versions in September 2024.” Older versions of Windows still have it. On a current Windows 11 PC, you're looking for voice access instead.
Speech Recognition did two jobs: controlling the PC by voice, and dictating text. Its replacement leans towards the first. If dictation is what you used it for, it's worth knowing all three options.
Your three options now
Voice access
Built into Windows 11 22H2 and later. Made for controlling your PC by voice: opening apps, clicking, browsing, writing an email. It runs on your PC and works without the internet.
Voice typing (Win+H)
Built in too, for dictating into any text box. It needs the internet, and in our test it switched itself off after about 20 seconds of quiet. More on it: the Windows 11 dictation toolbar.
rawflo
A small app for dictation only. Press a key, talk with pauses to think, up to an hour, press it again: exactly what you said lands where you're typing, nothing rewritten.
Which to use
Use what's built in
If you control your PC by voice, voice access is made for it, and it's free. For a quick message, Win+H voice typing does the job.
Use rawflo to dictate at length
Drafts, notes and prompts for AI tools, talked through with pauses to think. It waits through 2 minutes of quiet, and types your exact words.
Start free