On a Windows PC, use Microsoft Translator in your browser for text, or Edge‘s built-in translation for webpages. You do not need the old Windows Translator desktop app, which Microsoft retired from new downloads in 2021.
Choose the best way to translate
| What you need | Use this | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| A word, email or short passage | Microsoft Translator on Bing | Wrong language detection and lost formatting. |
| A whole webpage | Microsoft Edge translation | Text inside images may stay unchanged. |
| A photo, spoken phrase or conversation | A supported Microsoft Translator mobile feature | Language and device support differ. |
| Translation without internet | An app with the right offline language packs | Test the exact feature before travelling. |
Translate text with Microsoft Translator
- Open Bing’s Microsoft Translator.
- Choose the source language, or let the service detect it.
- Choose the language you want to read.
- Paste the text and check the result against the original.
Try one paragraph first. Short text with clear sentences is easier to check than a whole document pasted at once. A web text box will not reliably keep tables, page breaks or the layout of a Word file.
Translate a webpage in Microsoft Edge
- Open the page in Edge.
- Select the translation icon in the address bar when it appears.
- Choose the output language and select Translate.
- Use Show original from the same control when you want to compare the wording.
You can also check the page’s right-click menu for a translation action. Microsoft’s Edge translation guide explains the language controls.
Best ways to use Microsoft Translator
Choose the tool for the job first: use Bing’s text box for a passage you can copy, and Edge for reading a whole webpage. Then check a short section before translating everything.
| Task | Practical tip | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Write a message in another language | Use full, simple sentences when writing your own text. | Names, dates, numbers and the action you want the reader to take. |
| Read a long article | Translate the page in Edge, then return to the original for an unclear passage. | Whether a heading, negative word or important detail changed meaning. |
| Translate a short phrase | Select the source language yourself if automatic detection looks wrong. | Whether the phrase has enough context to make sense. |
| Read text in a screenshot | Use a tool that supports images or copy the text out first. | Whether the recognised words match the picture before translating them. |
For example, if you are writing an instruction, “Charge the phone before you leave” gives more context than the single word “charge.” When translating someone else’s text, keep the original meaning and check unclear wording rather than adding details you do not know.
Check the result before using it
- Choose the source language yourself if the result looks wrong. Automatic detection can struggle with a short name or a few words.
- Keep names, dates and numbers in view. Compare them with the original before following an instruction or sending a reply.
- Split a long passage into smaller sections. This makes it easier to spot a sentence that has lost its meaning.
- Keep a copy of the original. Translation helps you read the text; it should not replace your only copy.
- Use approved tools for private work documents. Check your workplace’s rules before uploading them.
Why does Edge not offer to translate?
Open Settings → Languages and check Offer to translate pages that aren’t in a language I read. Also review your preferred languages: Edge may not offer a prompt for a language already on that list.
If text is part of a photo or a scanned page, webpage translation may not reach it. Use an image-capable translator or extract the text first. Try another ordinary webpage to see whether the problem is limited to one site.
Can I still download Windows Translator?
Microsoft’s desktop-app retirement announcement says new downloads ended on April 8, 2021. Old screenshots of Cortana, handwriting or offline packs refer to that older app. Use the current web and browser options rather than assuming those screenshots describe today’s Windows setup.
Updated October 26, 2026. Instructions and available features can vary by device, account and software version.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to use Microsoft Translator on Windows?
Use Bing’s Microsoft Translator for copied text and Edge’s built-in translation for webpages. Choose the right languages, try a short passage and check names, dates and numbers in the result.
How can I get a clearer translation?
When writing your own text, use complete sentences and explain what an unclear word refers to. For text you are reading, check the source language and compare the difficult passage with the original.
Why is the translate button missing in Edge?
Check Edge’s Languages settings and whether the page’s language is already in your preferred list. Also confirm that the words are ordinary page text rather than part of an image.
Do I need to download the old Windows Translator app?
No. The Bing website and Edge translation provide current browser routes. Microsoft’s old Windows desktop app stopped being available for new downloads in 2021.
Can I use the Bing translator without internet?
The web service needs a connection. Do not assume an old Windows-app guide provides a current offline option; check the exact app, language pack and feature on the device you plan to use.