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How to Clear Automatic Speech Recognition Data in Windows Settings

The speech-data clearing button may not appear on every Windows build. Here’s how to check it and use Windows’ separate privacy and deletion controls.

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If your Windows version shows Clear automatic speech recognition data under Settings > Time & language > Speech, use that control to clear the data it identifies. Its availability and exact effect are not confirmed for every Windows build, so do not assume that a missing button means speech data is being collected—or that pressing it deletes every speech-related record. Turning online speech recognition off, deleting diagnostic data, and managing Microsoft-account voice history are separate actions.

Check for the speech-data clearing control

  1. Open Start > Settings > Time & language > Speech.

  2. Look for a control labeled Clear automatic speech recognition data or similar. If it appears and you want to clear the data described there, select it and follow the on-screen confirmation.

  3. If the control is absent, use the relevant controls below for the data or feature you mean. A secondary how-to reports this clearing button, but Microsoft’s available documentation does not establish that it appears on every Windows version or build.

Follow the labels shown on your PC; do not use registry edits based on instructions for a different build. Windows 10 and Windows 11 do not present every speech feature or setting in the same way.

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Turn off online speech recognition in Windows 11

To stop Windows from using online speech recognition, open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Speech and switch Online speech recognition off. Microsoft says Windows then uses device-based speech recognition and sends no voice data to Microsoft for that recognition feature: Microsoft’s speech, voice activation, inking, typing, and privacy guidance.

This changes whether online recognition is used; it is not a universal deletion command for diagnostic data, local personalization, or account-associated history. Device-based recognition processes speech locally, while online recognition sends voice data to Microsoft to provide recognition and text transcription.

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Delete Windows diagnostic data separately

For diagnostic data, go to Settings > Diagnostics & feedback and select Delete diagnostic data. Microsoft documents this route for Windows 10 version 1809 and later, as well as Windows 11: Microsoft Learn: Diagnostic Data Viewer. This is a separate control from clearing speech data in Time & language and from managing voice history tied to a Microsoft account.

Check Microsoft-account voice history

Some voice data associated with Microsoft-account use of speech-recognition apps may be managed through the Microsoft Privacy dashboard. Microsoft’s support page describes voice data collected before October 30, 2020; it does not establish that the dashboard contains all speech data or later records. See Microsoft’s information about voice data on the privacy dashboard.

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Manage Voice typing clip contributions

Voice typing is a distinct feature. In Windows 11, press Windows key + H to open Voice typing, open its settings, and follow the links there to start or stop contributing voice clips. Microsoft says Voice typing uses online speech recognition for transcription, while contribution of voice clips is optional. Changing the contribution setting is not the same as disabling Voice typing itself: Microsoft’s privacy guidance and Voice typing instructions.

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Know which Windows speech feature you use

Windows speech features have changed names and settings. Microsoft says Voice Access replaced Windows Speech Recognition in Windows 11 version 22H2 and later in September 2024. If you are following older instructions for Windows Speech Recognition, check the applicable feature and labels in your current Windows version rather than assuming the same clearing option exists: Microsoft’s guide to voice recognition in Windows.

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