LesskeysWindows voice recorder: record a voice note, get the words
The quickest way to record your voice on Windows is Sound Recorder: open it and press Ctrl+R. Lesskeys is for when you also want the words: it records your microphone, or transcribes a recording you already have, on your PC, with nothing uploaded.
Windows 10 and 11 · No subscription
Last reviewed
Note to text
Record a voice note and get the text
- Open Lesskeys and choose Record Call. Leave Mic on and pick your microphone.
- Select Capture Audio, speak, then select Stop & Transcribe. Stop & Save keeps the recording without the words.
- Say how many people spoke: pick 1 to 4, or enter a custom number. For one voice, set 1.
- Open the transcript from Library: search it, click a line to play from there, or use Copy all.
Only want the audio? Skip Lesskeys: Sound Recorder starts with Ctrl+R, pauses with Space and saves with Esc.
Sources, read on 21 October 2026
- Microsoft: Sound Recorder app for Windows, FAQ (start, pause, stop, three hours per file, where recordings are kept)
Which one
Sound Recorder or Lesskeys?
Sound Recorder is the quick one. Lesskeys is for when the words matter.
If you only need the audio, or a note to yourself, stay with Sound Recorder. Microsoft's page says it records “up to three hours per recording file”, and says nothing about transcribing.
| What | Sound Recorder (Microsoft) | Lesskeys |
|---|---|---|
| Starts with | Select Start recording or press Ctrl+R; Space pauses, Esc stops and saves | The Record Call tab: pick a microphone, then select Capture Audio |
| The words | Microsoft's page does not mention a transcript | Transcribes on your PC, in 99 languages with auto-detect, and labels the speakers |
| Your recordings | “Stored within the Sound Recorder app”; uninstalling the app deletes them | A searchable Library on your PC; nothing is uploaded and no account is needed |
Sources, read on 21 October 2026
- Microsoft: Sound Recorder app for Windows, FAQ (the quoted sentences and the shortcuts)
Inside Lesskeys
Record on your PC with Lesskeys
Pick your microphone, capture audio, then Transcribe, Save or Discard.
The same recorder can also capture the sound your PC plays. If nothing is playing, that part of the recording is simply silent. Windows asks for nothing beyond your microphone, and the first transcription downloads a small set of speaker models. Audio only takes about 44 MB an hour. To just talk and paste the words, see voice to text for Macvoice to text for Windows.
Tell the people you record; some places require everyone's consent.
Installing on Windows? Step-by-step install guide.
Your PC
A call is a different job
A voice note is you. A call is you and the other side.
For a call, Lesskeys records your PC's sound plus your microphone, and no bot joins. Steps: the call recorder page for Macthe call recorder page for Windows. Only the PC's sound, or a different way to capture it: record audio from your computer on Windows.
- Nothinguploaded
- No accountneeded
- Your PCwhere it is kept
Questions
Questions about the voice recorder for Windows
Does Windows have a built-in voice recorder?
Microsoft's support page describes Sound Recorder for Windows 11: select Start recording or press Ctrl+R, pause with Space, stop and save with Esc, up to three hours per recording file.
Can a Windows voice recorder transcribe my voice automatically?
Microsoft's page for Sound Recorder does not mention transcription. Lesskeys records your microphone and transcribes on your PC, with speaker labels and 99-language auto-detect, and nothing is uploaded.
Where does Sound Recorder save my recordings?
Microsoft says they are stored within the Sound Recorder app, and that uninstalling the app deletes them. Right-click a recording and select Share to send it somewhere.
Where does Lesskeys keep my voice recordings on Windows?
On your PC, with their transcripts, in the Lesskeys Library. The recording folder is shown on the Record Call page and you can change it. Nothing is uploaded and no account exists.
More