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In current Windows 11, change the recognition language and microphone in Voice access: open Settings > Accessibility > Speech, start Voice access, then choose its language and microphone during setup. Microsoft says, “Voice access replaced Windows Speech Recognition (WSR) for Windows 11 22H2 and later versions in September 2024.” The older WSR setup is included below for people who specifically need it.

How to change speech recognition language in Windows 11

Voice access is the current built-in Windows 11 feature for voice control and dictation on version 22H2 and later. You can start it from Settings > Accessibility > Speech or search for “voice access” from Start. See Microsoft’s Voice access setup instructions.

  1. Start Voice access and select the language you want on the welcome screen.
  2. Select Agree and continue. Windows downloads the language files needed for on-device recognition; an internet connection is required for this initial download.
  3. To change it later, open Voice access settings and select Languages, then choose a supported language.

The currently listed options include English (US, UK, India, New Zealand, Canada, Australia), Spanish (Spain, Mexico), German (Germany), French (France, Canada), Simplified Chinese (China), Traditional Chinese (Taiwan), Japanese, and Italian. The list can change; consult Microsoft’s live supported-language information for the latest availability. The Windows display language does not have to match a supported Voice access language.

Voice access language versus Windows language features

These are different settings. Choose a language in Voice access when you want to change the language that Voice access recognizes. Add a Windows language and its available speech components under Language & region when you need Windows language features installed. Microsoft’s language settings guidance describes adding languages and optional features.

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Setting What it changes Where to find it
Voice access language The recognition language available to Voice access Voice access settings > Languages
Windows language and speech features Windows-installed language components, including speech features where offered Settings > Time & language > Language & region
Windows display language The language used for the Windows interface; it can also affect keyboard layout Settings > Time & language > Language & region

To add a language, open Settings > Time & language > Language & region, add the language, and select speech recognition among its optional language features if offered. Microsoft’s general speech-feature instructions say to set the language in which you will use speech as the display language. That is separate from selecting a Voice access language. Changing the display language changes the Windows interface and may change the keyboard layout; language editions of Windows may restrict display-language changes.

How to select and test the microphone

During Voice access setup, choose the preferred microphone on the Setup microphone screen after the language download finishes. You can also select and test an input device in Windows sound settings.

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  1. Open Settings > System > Sound and find the microphone under Input.
  2. Select the input device you want Windows to use. For a Bluetooth microphone, choose Add device and follow the pairing prompts.
  3. Open the microphone’s properties and select Start test.
  4. Speak normally, then choose Stop test and Play to listen to the sample. Adjust Input volume if the recording is too quiet or too loud.

You do not need to buy a microphone if your built-in one works. An external USB microphone is simply another input option if you do not have a usable built-in mic or prefer external hardware; no particular model is required.

Check Windows microphone permissions

Selecting an input device does not grant every app permission to use it. If Voice access or another app cannot hear you, check the relevant controls at Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone:

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  • Microphone access for the device.
  • Let apps access your microphone, then the permission for the individual app.
  • Let desktop apps access your microphone for desktop programs.

Microsoft explains these Windows permission controls in its microphone and app permissions guidance.

Device-based and online speech recognition privacy

Microsoft distinguishes device-based speech recognition, which it says processes voice locally and sends no voice data to Microsoft, from online speech recognition, which uses Microsoft cloud services and sends voice data to provide the service and create transcriptions. These are different data paths, not interchangeable descriptions of where processing happens. Read Microsoft’s speech, voice activation, inking, typing, and privacy information for its explanation. This distinction concerns Microsoft’s speech-recognition services; third-party apps handle voice data according to their own privacy policies.

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Legacy Windows Speech Recognition setup

If you specifically mean the older Windows Speech Recognition (WSR) feature, Microsoft documents a legacy setup route: open Settings > Time & language > Speech > Microphone and select Get started. The Windows key + Ctrl + S shortcut also opens its setup. Microsoft’s WSR instructions cover that older experience; for Windows 11 22H2 and later, use Voice access instead.

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