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Choose the right speech feature first
| Feature | What it does | Setup route | Speech processing and internet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows language speech feature | Installs speech components available for a particular Windows language. | Settings > Time & language > Language & region > the language’s options. | Microsoft’s language-options guidance requires an internet connection to download features. Processing depends on the feature; installing one does not make Voice typing work offline. |
| Voice Access language files | Lets you control Windows and author text by voice using Voice Access. | Download the model during Voice Access setup; change it later in Voice Access settings under Languages. | Voice Access uses on-device speech recognition after the language files are downloaded. Internet is required for the initial download. |
| Voice typing | Dictates into a text field. | Use Windows + H to open Voice typing. | It uses online speech recognition powered by Azure Speech services, so it needs an internet connection. Installing language speech features does not make it offline. |
Microsoft distinguishes online and device-based speech recognition: “When online speech recognition is turned off, only device-based features (such as Narrator) are available.” Microsoft’s speech and privacy overview explains this distinction. Voice Access has its own downloadable models, while the Windows language-options download is a separate setup flow.
Install speech features for a Windows language
Use this route if you want a speech feature listed under a language’s options in Settings, such as Basic Speech recognition or Enhanced speech recognition where offered. The feature list varies by language; not every language has every speech option.
- Connect to the internet. Windows downloads language speech features online.
- Open Start > Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
- Under Preferred languages, select the ellipsis next to the language, then open its language options.
- For a language already installed, find the Speech section and select Download for the feature you want. If Settings provides a link rather than a Download button, Microsoft says the feature is already installed.
- To add a new language instead, select Add a language, search for and select it, choose Next, then choose the Language pack and any available optional features, including speech recognition, before selecting Install.
Microsoft’s language and keyboard settings instructions show the Settings route. If the language options do not show a Speech section or the feature you need, Microsoft does not offer that feature for that language.
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Download a Voice Access language for offline use
Voice Access is Windows 11’s on-device voice-control and authoring feature. It is supported on Windows 11 version 22H2 and later. Its language files must be downloaded before you can use the selected model on-device; the first download needs an internet connection and may take a few minutes.
- Open Voice Access for the first time. If it is not already available, go to Start > Settings > Accessibility > Speech and turn on Voice access, or search for Voice access in Windows Search.
- On the welcome screen, select a supported Voice Access language and choose Agree and continue.
- Allow Windows to download the language files. When the download finishes, setup moves to the microphone screen.
- Complete microphone setup to use voice input. A microphone is relevant to speaking to the PC, but it is not required just to download the language model.
To change the model later, open Voice Access settings and select Languages. Microsoft’s Voice Access setup instructions list English (United States, United Kingdom, India, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia); Spanish (Spain and Mexico); German; French (France and Canada); Simplified Chinese (China); Traditional Chinese (Taiwan); Japanese; and Italian. You can select a supported Voice Access language even if your Windows display language is not supported. Microsoft’s available-language list can change.
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What works offline—and what does not
Voice Access
After its language files are installed, Voice Access performs speech recognition on the device. Its initial model download is the part that requires internet access.
Windows language speech components
These are installed from the options for a Windows language. Their availability depends on the language and feature. They are not the Voice Access language model, and installing them does not switch other speech tools to offline processing.
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- Noise-Cancelling Boom Microphone: Equipped with a pro-flex wire boom microphone, the ECS WordCommander delivers superior sound isolation. The noise-cancelling technology ensures clear voice input, reducing background noise and enhancing the accuracy of speech recognition software
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- Superior Audio Quality: The built-in premium sound card offers outstanding audio quality for USB and USB-C versions, making it suitable for speech recognition and other voice applications. The ECS WordCommander ensures that every word is captured with crystal-clear precision
- Plug-and-Play USB or USB-C Connectivity: With USB and USB-C connectivity, this headset is easy to set up and use with modern computers and devices. The plug-and-play feature ensures a hassle-free setup, allowing users to start working immediately without the need for additional drivers or software
Voice typing
Voice typing is online dictation, not Voice Access. Microsoft states: “Voice typing uses online speech recognition, which is powered by Azure Speech services.” It requires an internet connection and a working microphone; installing optional language speech features is not required for it to work and does not make it an offline service. See Microsoft’s Voice typing instructions.
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If the speech language or download is missing
- No language speech download in Settings: Confirm the language is installed, open its options, and look for the Speech section. If the section or desired feature is absent, Microsoft does not offer it for that language.
- Your preferred language is absent from Voice Access setup: Select another language in Microsoft’s supported Voice Access list. The Voice Access language may differ from the Windows display language.
- You closed Voice Access before the language download finished: Open Voice Access again and restart setup; Microsoft says the setup must be restarted to download the files.
- You are following old Windows Speech Recognition instructions: For Windows 11 version 22H2 and later, Microsoft says Voice Access replaced Windows Speech Recognition (WSR) in September 2024. Use Voice Access for current Windows voice control rather than treating older WSR instructions as the model-download process. See Microsoft’s Windows voice recognition guidance.
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