1. How it works on Windows
- Click into any text field: Outlook, Teams, Slack, a browser, Word, VS Code, a terminal.
- Hold Ctrl + Win and talk. Let go to finish. Or tap Ctrl + Win once to talk hands-free, and tap again when you're done. Press Esc to cancel.
- Dropline pastes the finished text at the cursor and puts your clipboard back.
A small bar shows that Dropline is listening. It doesn't take focus from the app you're typing in. You can choose a different shortcut in Settings.
2. From speech to clean text
| You say | Dropline types |
|---|---|
| "um, let's do tomorrow at three, no wait, four thirty" | Let's do tomorrow at 4:30 |
| "the price is fifteen dollars, uh, per seat" | The price is $15 per seat |
| "please send me the weekly report, um, before Friday" | Please send me the weekly report before Friday. |
- Fillers and repeats are removed, without changing your meaning.
- Self-corrections are applied. Say "no wait" or "I mean", and only the final version is typed.
- Numbers are written as digits: times, prices, percentages and counts.
- Layout fits the app: relaxed in a chat, punctuated in an email, one line in a terminal so a stray Enter never runs a command.
- Names are spelled your way. Dropline uses your dictionary and the words visible in the window you're dictating into.
3. Dropline vs Windows voice typing (Win + H)
| Feature | Dropline | Windows voice typing |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free during the Preview | Included with Windows |
| Free tier | No word limits during the Preview | Built in |
| Platforms | Windows 10 and 11 (x64, ARM64; beta), Mac | Windows 10 and 11 |
| Cleans up speech and fillers | Yes | Fluid dictation removes fillers on Copilot+ PCs, in English locales |
| Works in any app | Yes, any text field | Yes, any text box |
| Chinese / mixed languages | English, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish; English and Chinese mixed in one sentence | Many languages, including Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Japanese and Spanish |
| Custom dictionary | Yes, plus names on your screen | Not described in Microsoft's documentation |
Checked October 2026 against Microsoft's voice typing guide.
4. When Win + H is the better choice
- You want nothing to install or sign in to. Voice typing is already on your PC.
- You control text by voice. Windows voice typing has commands like "delete that", "select that" and "new paragraph", and you can press keys such as Enter or Tab by voice.
- You have a Copilot+ PC and dictate in English. Fluid dictation already corrects grammar, punctuation and fillers.
- You speak a language Dropline doesn't write yet. Windows supports many more.
- You can't run beta software. Dropline for Windows is a beta and its installer isn't signed yet, so Windows may warn you when you run it (choose More info, then Run anyway).
5. Installing Dropline on Windows
- Pick x64 for Intel and AMD PCs, or ARM64 for Arm PCs such as Snapdragon laptops. Not sure? Settings → System → About → System type. (Windows on Arm can run the x64 build too.)
- The installer doesn't need admin rights.
- Sign in with a Fish Audio account, choose your microphone, and you're ready.
6. FAQ
Does Dropline replace Win + H?
It doesn't change anything in Windows. Win + H keeps working; Dropline uses its own shortcut, Ctrl + Win by default.
Which apps does it work in?
Any app with a text field, including browsers, Office apps, chat apps, code editors and terminals.
Is it free?
Yes, during the Preview, and there are no word limits during the Preview. One recording can be up to 3 minutes.
Can I edit text by voice on Windows?
Not yet. The Windows beta does Dictate only. Voice editing is available on the Mac.
Does it need an internet connection?
Yes. Dropline writes your text in the cloud.
Get Dropline for Windows.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Dropline is not affiliated with Microsoft.