# Quickstart for Windows

This guide uses Nock's Windows defaults. If you changed them, follow the shortcuts displayed under **Settings → General → Shortcuts**. For Mac, use the [Mac quickstart](/nock/quickstart).

## Install and sign in

Install the **Nock for Windows** release offered on the official Nock download page, then open Nock. This is a separate app from the V3Code editor; use the Nock installer. See [downloads and updates](/nock/downloads-updates).

Choose **Sign in** in Nock, complete the offered sign-in method in your browser, and return to the app. Check the account displayed before using hosted features. See [sign in to Nock](/nock/sign-in).

## Complete the sound check

1. Complete the welcome sound check if it is still open.
2. Confirm the test chime, then choose the microphone and speaker you want to use.
3. Speak while the microphone meter is active. If it does not move, use **Find my microphone** or check Windows microphone privacy access.

The sound check reads the live microphone level; it is not a saved voice recording. You can change devices later under **Settings → General → Microphone & speaker**.

## Dictate into an app

1. Open a note or message and click inside its text field.
2. Hold **Ctrl + Win** and speak a short sentence.
3. Release the keys and wait for recognition and paste to finish.
4. Review the inserted text before submitting it.

Windows local dictation uses Nock's separately downloaded speech model. Under **Settings → Dictation**, choose **On this computer** or enable **Never send my voice off this computer** to refuse cloud recognition when local recognition is unavailable. See [local dictation](/nock/local-dictation).

## Ask the agent

Hold **left Ctrl + left Alt**, ask one simple question, and release. Tap the same shortcut to open the composer. To dictate hands-free, use **Ctrl + Win + Space**. Paste the last transcript with **Win + Alt + V**.

## If something does not work

Check the active binding in **Settings → General → Shortcuts**, microphone access in **Settings → Permissions**, and the selected input device. The Mac's Input Monitoring and Accessibility prompts do not apply on Windows. See [voice troubleshooting](/nock/voice-troubleshooting), [platform support](/nock/platform-support), and [privacy controls](/nock/privacy-controls).