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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWindows 11 has three separate routes for adding speech: install a language’s Text-to-speech feature, add a legacy voice through Speech settings, or install a natural voice for Narrator. Choose the route that matches what you want to hear; the voice lists and languages available depend on your Windows version and locale.
Choose the right voice installation route
| What you want | Where to install it | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Text-to-speech for another language | Settings > Time & language > Language & region | Install the language’s Text-to-speech feature if Windows offers it. Not every language includes speech features. Microsoft says availability varies by language. |
| An additional legacy voice | Speech settings, opened from Narrator settings | Use the Manage voices flow to add an offered voice package. |
| A natural Narrator voice | Narrator settings | This is a separate download flow from legacy voices. Installed natural voices work offline, but previews need an internet connection. See Microsoft’s Narrator language and voice overview. |
Install a language’s Text-to-speech feature
Use this route when you need Windows speech support for another language. Adding a language does not require changing the Windows display language.
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- Connect the PC to the internet. Windows downloads language speech features online. Microsoft’s language-feature instructions note that feature availability differs among languages.
- Open Start > Settings > Time & language > Language & region, then select Add a language.
- Search for and select the language, then choose Next. Review the available features and select Text-to-speech if it appears.
- Select Install. The setup screen shows the available features and their download sizes. Leave the display-language option unchanged unless you also want to change Windows’ interface language. Microsoft’s language-pack guide says administrator rights are needed to add a language pack.
If the language is already installed
In Language & region, select the … beside the language and choose Language options. In Language features, use the download control beside Text-to-speech if that feature is listed. If it is absent, Windows does not offer it through this language-feature route.
Add a legacy voice through Speech settings
For an additional legacy voice, open Narrator settings with Windows logo key + Ctrl + N. Under the voice section, choose Add more voices or Add legacy voices, depending on the label shown on your PC. In Speech settings, select Manage voices > Add voices, choose an available language, and select Add. Connect to the internet while the package downloads. The choices shown on your PC—not an older online voice list—determine what is available for your Windows version and locale. Microsoft documents legacy voices separately from natural Narrator voices.
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Install a natural voice for Narrator
Natural Narrator voices have their own installer; adding one does not use the legacy voice list.
- Open Narrator settings with Windows logo key + Ctrl + N.
- Find the natural-voices section and select Add.
- Choose an offered voice, preview it, and install it. Previewing requires internet access; after installation, downloaded natural voices can be used offline. Microsoft lists supported Narrator languages and voice types.
- To use a different installed voice in Narrator, return to its settings and choose it from the voice dropdown.
Select the installed voice in the app you use
Installing a Windows speech feature or voice package does not necessarily switch the voice in every app. Return to the app or accessibility feature where you want speech and select the voice there if it has its own voice control. For Narrator, use the voice dropdown in Narrator settings.
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If installation is unavailable or fails
- Text-to-speech is not listed: Microsoft states that not all languages have speech features. Check the options for the selected language in Language options; do not assume every language has a downloadable TTS feature.
- The download does not start or finish: Confirm internet access and allow time for Windows to download the package.
- You cannot add a language pack: Check that you have administrator rights, which Microsoft requires for adding a language pack.
- The voice you want is missing: Language and voice choices vary by Windows version and locale. Check the relevant list on your PC; legacy voices and natural Narrator voices use different catalogs.
Third-party SAPI 5 voices
Narrator can use SAPI 5-based speech synthesizers. Microsoft names Harpo Software, CereProc, NextUp, Eloquence, and Vocalizer Expressive as examples, but says the list is informational: it does not endorse these providers or support installing or using their products. Compatibility and availability for a particular Windows 11 release are not established by that listing. Consult Microsoft’s Narrator appendix for its SAPI 5 information.
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Text-to-speech is not speech recognition
Text-to-speech makes the computer read text aloud. Speech recognition and Voice Access are different features: they use spoken input to control or dictate to the PC. If you only need the computer to speak, you do not need to install microphone or voice-input features.
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