[Windows][26.915.31945][Voice] Global dictation hotkey and floating voice overlay stopped working after update

Summary

After updating the ChatGPT/Codex Windows desktop app to version 26.915.31945, global voice dictation stopped working.

Before this update, I could use a custom global shortcut, Alt+F6, to start voice dictation from anywhere in Windows, not only inside the ChatGPT/Codex window.

A small floating voice control / voice overlay was also always visible near the bottom center of the screen. Clicking it opened the voice panel.

After the update:

• Alt+F6 no longer starts global voice dictation.
• The floating voice control / voice overlay at the bottom center of the screen is no longer visible.
• The voice panel that used to open from that floating control is also gone.

However, voice dictation still works normally when I click the microphone button directly inside the ChatGPT Windows app.

This suggests that speech recognition and microphone access are working, but the global dictation / global shortcut / floating voice overlay functionality is no longer working.

Environment

• App: ChatGPT for Windows / Codex
• App version: 26.915.31945
• Release date shown in About dialog: September 18, 2026
• OS: Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (OS Build 26200.9457)
• Windows display language / localization: Russian
• Architecture: x64
• Global dictation shortcut configured by me: Alt+F6

Previous behavior

Before the latest update:

1. ChatGPT/Codex was running in the background.
2. I could press Alt+F6 from any application in Windows.
3. Global voice dictation would start.
4. I could dictate text into the currently active text field even outside ChatGPT/Codex.
5. A small floating voice control was visible near the bottom center of the screen.
6. Clicking the floating control opened the voice panel.

Current behavior

After updating to version 26.915.31945:

1. Pressing Alt+F6 outside the ChatGPT/Codex window does nothing.
2. Global dictation does not start.
3. The floating voice control / voice overlay is no longer visible.
4. The related voice panel is no longer available from the desktop.
5. Voice dictation still works if I click the microphone button inside the ChatGPT application itself.

Expected behavior

The global dictation functionality should continue to work as before:

• Alt+F6 should start voice dictation globally.
• Dictation should work in other Windows applications and text fields.
• The floating voice control / overlay should be visible.
• Clicking the floating control should open the voice panel.

Actual behavior

Global voice dictation and the floating voice overlay appear to be completely unavailable after the update, while in-app microphone dictation still works correctly.

Steps to reproduce

1. Install/update ChatGPT/Codex for Windows to version 26.915.31945.
2. Configure or use the global dictation shortcut Alt+F6.
3. Open another Windows application with a text field, for example Notepad or a browser.
4. Press Alt+F6.
5. Observe that global dictation does not start.
6. Observe that the floating voice control / voice overlay is no longer visible.
7. Return to the ChatGPT Windows app.
8. Click the microphone button inside ChatGPT.
9. Observe that in-app voice dictation works normally.

Additional information

The issue started immediately after the latest application update.

Because in-app dictation still works correctly, this does not appear to be a microphone permission or speech recognition problem.

The regression appears to affect the Windows-specific global dictation path, including the global hotkey and floating voice overlay.

I am using the Russian localization of Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (OS Build 26200.9457).

Start by reproducing the regression on Windows 11 with version 26.915.31945, using Alt+F6 from Notepad or a browser and checking the floating voice control. Trace the Windows-specific global hotkey, dictation, and overlay entry points; done means global dictation works outside the app, the overlay is visible, and in-app dictation remains functional.