To install speech recognition for a language in Windows 11, open Settings > Time & language > Language & region, choose Add a language, and select the language. In the install options, keep Language pack selected, select Speech recognition, then choose Install. The PC needs an internet connection to download the features. Do not select Set as my Windows display language unless you also want Windows menus and controls to use that language.
Install speech recognition while adding a language
- Connect the PC to the internet.
- Open Start > Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
- Under Preferred languages, select Add a language. Search or browse for the language, select it, then choose Next.
- In Install language features, leave Language pack selected and select Speech recognition under the optional features. Select Set as my Windows display language only if you want to change the Windows interface language as well.
- Select Install. Windows shows download progress in the language list; wait for installation to finish.
Microsoft’s language settings instructions cover Windows 11 and Windows 10; the path above is for Windows 11.
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Add speech to a language already installed
You do not need to add the language again if it is already listed. Open that language’s options in Settings > Time & language > Language & region, then look under Speech. If a Download control is available, select it to install the feature. Microsoft says a Settings link in that location means speech is already installed. If the Speech section is absent, speech features are not offered for that language through this settings route.
Feature availability varies by language. Microsoft’s language options guidance describes how to check for and download available features.
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Speech recognition, Voice Access, and voice typing are different
| Feature | What it does | Setup path |
|---|---|---|
| Speech recognition language feature | An optional language feature available through Language & region, where supported. | Add the language and select Speech recognition, or download it from the installed language’s options if offered. |
| Voice Access | Lets you control the PC with spoken commands. | Start Voice Access setup, choose a language, and download its speech model. Setup then proceeds to microphone configuration. |
| Voice typing | Dictates text into a text field. | Use voice typing; Microsoft says it does not require speech recognition features, and its language can differ from the Windows display language. |
If you meant Voice Access rather than the optional language feature, use its own setup flow. Microsoft says the selected Voice Access model downloads over the internet, may take a few minutes, and is followed by microphone setup. Installing a language pack alone does not complete Voice Access setup. See Microsoft’s Voice Access setup instructions.
Microsoft says Voice Access replaced Windows Speech Recognition (WSR) for Windows 11 version 22H2 and later in September 2024. WSR documentation may still apply to older systems, but WSR is not the current Windows 11 feature for those versions. See Microsoft’s Windows Speech Recognition commands page. For dictation, consult Microsoft’s voice typing guidance.
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If the option you need is missing
- No Speech section in the language’s options: Microsoft’s documented settings route does not offer speech features for that language.
- Speech is listed with a Download control: select it and allow the download to finish; an internet connection is required.
- Speech shows a Settings link: Microsoft identifies this as an indication that speech is already installed.
- You are setting up Voice Access: download the model in Voice Access itself, not just from Language & region, then continue to microphone configuration.
- You only want to dictate text: use voice typing; speech recognition features are not required for it.
Microsoft’s language packs overview also describes adding a language in Windows 11. A Microsoft configuration update dated February 29, 2024 discusses Voice Access model downloads and language selection for Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2; that dated information is not a current list of language availability: Windows configuration update.
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