To get speech recognition for a language in Windows 11, connect the PC to the Internet, go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region, add the language, and install its language pack with the speech feature selected. If the language is already installed, open its language options and download the speech feature from there. Voice access is a separate tool with its own first-run language download, so the steps differ depending on which feature you want.
Which speech feature you need
“Speech recognition” in Windows 11 can refer to several features. Microsoft’s support documentation describes Voice access as the replacement for Windows Speech Recognition (WSR) on Windows 11 version 22H2 and later, a change Microsoft dated to September 2024. WSR still exists in older versions of Windows. Because the two are set up differently, identify the feature first:
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- Language-level speech features are installed with a Windows language pack through Language & region settings. Use the steps in the next section.
- Voice access is Windows 11’s voice control and dictation feature. It downloads its own language files on first run. See the Voice access section below.
- Voice typing and Live captions are separate features with their own prompts and troubleshooting. They are covered in the related-features section.
Download speech features through Language & region
Use this path when you want Windows to install a language pack and its optional speech recognition feature. Administrator access may be required to add a language.
- Connect the Windows 11 device to the Internet. Language packs and speech features are downloaded, so the install will fail or stall offline.
- Open Start > Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
- Under Preferred languages, select Add a language.
- Find the language you need, select it, and select Next.
- On the language feature screen, keep Language pack selected. Under optional language features, select the speech recognition feature you want.
- Select Install and wait for the download to finish.
Windows labels can change between builds and depend on which features a language supports. Follow the controls shown for your language rather than matching these names exactly.
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If the language is already installed
Open the language’s options from the same Language & region page. Look for the Speech section:
- A Download button means the speech feature is offered but not yet installed. Select it.
- A Settings link instead of Download means Microsoft’s guidance treats the speech features as already installed.
- No Speech section at all means that language does not offer speech features in Windows. This is not a broken download, and a different language is the only way to get speech recognition for it.
Set up Voice access
Voice access has its own download step, separate from the language pack above. Open it from Settings > Accessibility > Speech, or search for “Voice access” from Start.
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- On the first-run screen, select a supported language.
- Select Agree and continue. Windows downloads the required language files on this screen, and an Internet connection is needed for this initial download.
- After the files finish downloading, continue through the microphone setup.
Microsoft’s Voice access page describes the feature as one that lets people control a PC and author text by voice without an Internet connection. Once setup is complete, the downloaded files are what allow that offline use, so the first download is the step that requires a connection.
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Supported Voice access languages
Microsoft’s Voice access documentation lists the following languages and dialects. Check the Microsoft support page for the current list, because language support changes over time.
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- English: United States, United Kingdom, India, New Zealand, Canada, Australia
- Spanish: Spain, Mexico
- German: Germany
- French: France, Canada
- Chinese (Simplified): China
- Chinese (Traditional): Taiwan
- Japanese
- Italian
Microsoft says you can change the Voice access language later in its settings.
Compare the features at a glance
| Feature | How you get it | First download needs Internet? | Works offline after setup? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language-pack speech feature | Settings > Time & language > Language & region | Yes, the install downloads from the Internet | Not stated in the Microsoft guidance consulted for this article |
| Voice access | Settings > Accessibility > Speech, first-run setup | Yes, for the initial language files | Yes, according to Microsoft’s Voice access documentation |
| Voice typing | Available only when the current input language supports it | Not stated in Microsoft’s voice typing troubleshooting | Not stated in Microsoft’s voice typing troubleshooting |
| Live captions | Prompted on first enable | Prompts for language files used for on-device speech recognition | Not stated in Microsoft’s Live captions guidance |
Features that are easy to confuse
Windows Speech Recognition (WSR)
If you are on Windows 11 22H2 or later, WSR has been replaced by Voice access, so search for Voice access rather than WSR. On older Windows versions, WSR remains the built-in option.
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Voice typing
Voice typing depends on the current input language. If Windows reports that voice typing isn’t available in the current language, switch to a supported input language. Then confirm the microphone is selected, that microphone access is allowed, and that input levels move when you speak.
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The first time you turn on Live captions, Windows asks for consent to process voice data on the device and prompts for the language files used for on-device speech recognition. This is a separate setup from the language pack and from Voice access.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting
- No speech download option appears. Confirm the language offers speech features. A missing Speech section means the language does not support them. A Settings link means the features are already installed.
- Voice access download fails or stops. Confirm the device is connected to the Internet. If setup was closed before the initial language-file download finished, reopen Voice access and run first-run setup again. Microsoft’s Voice access FAQ points to its setup troubleshooting guidance for download problems.
- Nothing you say appears as text. Check the selected input device and the microphone permissions. Reconnect an external microphone, or try a headset if the built-in microphone performs poorly. A microphone is needed for speech input, but a headset does not install or replace language files.
- Words are transcribed incorrectly or voice typing is unavailable. Make sure the intended supported input language is selected, since voice typing may not be available in every language.
Once the right feature is installed, the language settings page is where you return to manage it. Keep Windows updated, and check the Language & region page again if a feature you expected is missing after a major update.
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