To change the Windows speech voice speed, open Start > Settings > Time & language > Speech. Under Voices, adjust the speed and use the preview to hear the result. Microsoft does not specify a numeric range or units for this control, so adjust it by listening rather than aiming for a particular words-per-minute value.
Change the speech voice speed in Settings
- Open Settings from Start.
- Select Time & language, then Speech.
- In Voices, adjust the voice speed and select the preview to listen to the voice. Microsoft describes this section as where you can change the default voice and its speed, and preview it: Microsoft’s instructions for downloading languages and voices.
The documented instructions do not give a numeric speed range or units, and Windows releases may not show identical options. Use the preview to choose a speed that works for you.
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If the language or voice is unavailable
Some speech features depend on language availability. Go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region, select the language’s options, and check whether Text-to-speech can be downloaded. Microsoft notes that speech features are not offered for every language: Manage language and keyboard/input layout settings in Windows.
Choose the speed control for the feature you use
The Speech page changes the Windows speech voice setting. If you want to change a specific reading feature instead, use that feature’s own controls:
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- Narrator: Open Narrator settings and adjust its separately documented Speed control. See Microsoft’s Narrator customization guide.
- Word Read Aloud: Use the app’s Read Aloud controls when available; Microsoft documents a Speech Rate Slider for some Word platforms. See Listen to your Word documents.
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