The short answer
A Windows 10 or 11 PC (64-bit), any microphone, and an internet connection. The app is free from the Microsoft Store, and setup takes about two minutes.
A Windows PC
Perfect Dictation runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11, 64-bit, which covers almost every PC and laptop sold in the last eight years. It does not need a fast processor or a graphics card: the speech engine and the clean-up run online, so an older office laptop writes just as well as a new workstation.
To check your version, press Win + Pause, or open Settings, System, About. You are looking for "64-bit operating system" and Windows 10 or 11.
A Mac version is next. See Is there a Mac version?
A microphone
Any microphone Windows can hear will do. The one built into your laptop is fine for getting started in a quiet room. If you dictate a lot, or in a busy office, a headset or a USB microphone makes a real difference, because it hears your voice far more than the room around you.
| Microphone | Good for |
|---|---|
| Laptop's built-in mic | Trying it out, quiet rooms, short messages |
| Wired or Bluetooth headset | Open-plan offices, calls, long dictation |
| USB desk microphone | All-day dictation at one desk |
| Phone earbuds with a mic | Fine, as long as Windows sees them as a microphone |
You pick which microphone to use in the app's Settings, where a mic test shows the level move while you talk. See Which microphone does it use?
An internet connection
Writing needs a connection, because the speech engine that turns your voice into text runs online. An ordinary home, office or phone connection is plenty: a typical dictation is a small compressed clip, sent once when you let go of the key.
If the connection drops while you are talking, nothing is lost. The clip waits safely on your PC and sends itself when you are back online. See Does it work without internet?
A Google account
You sign in with Google, so there is no new password to remember. The app shows a short code, opens the website, and you confirm the code there. That PC then gets its own key, which you can sign out at any time from your account page.
Nothing else
No administrator rights, no drivers, no browser extension and no setup wizard. Perfect Dictation installs from the Microsoft Store for your Windows user only, and the Store keeps it up to date.
- Install it from the download page or the Microsoft Store.
- Open it and sign in with Google.
- Allow the microphone when Windows asks.
- Click into any text box, hold Right Ctrl, talk, and let go.
Work PCs and managed laptops
On a company PC, the Microsoft Store is sometimes switched off by IT. Perfect Dictation needs no administrator rights and installs only for your own Windows user, so most IT teams are happy to allow it from the Store. Ask them to allow "Perfect Dictation" by DeveloperData.net. A direct download for managed PCs is planned; the download page lets you leave your email to hear when it is ready.
Checking you are ready
Before you install, it takes a minute to check the three things that matter:
- Windows: Settings, System, About shows Windows 10 or 11 and a 64-bit operating system.
- Microphone: Settings, System, Sound shows an input device, and its level moves when you speak.
- Microphone access: Settings, Privacy and security, Microphone has access switched on for apps.
If all three are fine, Perfect Dictation will work on that PC.
Related questions
Still stuck? Open a ticket and a person replies.