In a move that has caught the attention of many, Microsoft is introducing a new feature for Windows 11 that will allow users to freely express themselves while voice typing. In a major shift from its usual approach, the tech giant has begun testing the ability to disable the profanity filter during voice typing, giving users the freedom to dictate their thoughts without fear of censors.
For years, tech companies have maintained strict profanity filters to ensure that voice typing stays "clean" and appropriate for all audiences. However, Microsoft's latest move is set to change this standard. The feature is currently in the testing phase and is being rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channels. It introduces a simple toggle within the voice typing settings, giving users the power to choose whether their explicit language should be censored or transcribed as spoken.
This new option is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to offer more customization and control to users, allowing for a more personalized and flexible experience. If successful, it will mark a significant shift in how voice-to-text technology handles explicit language, opening up more opportunities for people who want to express themselves freely in casual or informal settings.
The process is straightforward: once the feature is activated, users will be able to toggle off the profanity filter. This means that voice typing will transcribe words exactly as they are spoken, without automatically censoring any explicit language. It’s a shift toward a more inclusive and expressive voice typing experience for those who feel restricted by the traditional filtering.
While this change may be welcomed by some users, others may be more hesitant, particularly in professional environments. Nonetheless, Microsoft seems to be catering to a broad user base, offering more control to those who value freedom of expression over automatic censorship. As of now, this feature is being tested by Windows Insiders, and it remains to be seen how it will be received by the wider public once it rolls out officially.
Along with the profanity filter adjustment, Microsoft is rolling out another exciting feature called "Click to Do". This new functionality is designed specifically for Surface Pen users, allowing them to assign specific actions to text or images on their screen by simply clicking the stylus button.
For example, users can highlight text and click to instantly summarize it, or they can remove an object from an image with a single press. This feature, which started rolling out today, is also being tested by Windows Insiders and is expected to enhance productivity for Surface Pen users by offering quick and intuitive shortcuts.
The Click to Do feature is just one of several updates Microsoft is introducing to Windows 11, and it’s clear that the company is pushing the boundaries of what stylus-enabled devices can do.
But that’s not all Microsoft has in store. The company has also officially launched the Recall feature for Copilot+ PCs. This feature, which was first announced nearly a year ago, has now become available for a select group of Windows 11 systems sold in the last year.
The Recall feature continuously captures screenshots of everything users do on their PCs and stores them in a searchable database. This could be a game-changer for productivity and workflow, allowing users to track and access everything they've worked on. However, it's only available on Copilot+ PCs, a special category of devices, so it may take some time before it reaches the broader Windows 11 user base.