{"id":11745,"date":"2025-08-28T01:22:41","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T01:22:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voice.ai\/hub\/?p=11745"},"modified":"2025-09-20T17:54:05","modified_gmt":"2025-09-20T17:54:05","slug":"how-to-use-microsoft-text-to-speech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voice.ai\/hub\/tts\/how-to-use-microsoft-text-to-speech\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Microsoft Text to Speech in Windows Settings Step by Step"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Have you ever wished your PC could read a long article while you make coffee or rest your eyes? If you have ever asked yourself what is text-to-speech<\/a>, it is the technology that allows computers to turn written text into spoken audio. How to Use Microsoft Text to Speech matters because Windows TTS and built-in tools like Narrator enable you to convert text to clear, natural-sounding audio for accessibility, multitasking, or improved focus. This article outlines simple steps to configure voice settings, select a speech engine and voices, and enable read aloud in Windows, allowing your computer to speak clearly and your daily tasks to move faster and feel easier. Chasing a way to have your PC read long articles while you relax? Try AI-powered text to speech solution<\/a> for clear, natural-sounding audio that keeps you focused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Microsoft text-to-speech turns written words on your screen into spoken audio you can hear. The software reads documents, emails, slides, and notes using a voice engine installed on your device. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is a playback tool that converts text into natural-sounding speech, allowing you to listen instead of reading. Want to proofread while you do other tasks or help someone with low vision access content? This feature makes those things possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The system reads text, breaks it into sentences and words, and then applies speech rules for: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Voice models utilize recorded human speech and machine learning to generate tone and pacing that feels natural. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can adjust the voice selection and playback speed to ensure the output aligns with your preferences. Voices come from the TTS engine that is installed with your Office language version, and some setups let you add or download extra voices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who finds this helpful? People with visual impairment gain<\/a> independent access to content. Busy professionals can proofread or take notes while moving or doing another task. Language learners hear correct pronunciation and natural cadence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Educators and content creators expand access for readers who prefer audio. Accessibility features also support cognitive needs and reading fluency. Which of these uses fits your daily routine?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speak is a built-in command<\/a> available in Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and OneNote that reads selected text aloud in the language of your Office version. If you run the English version of Office, the English TTS engine is installed automatically. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To hear other languages, check the Speak feature with multilingual TTS and install the matching voice engines or language packs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your device uses a TTS engine tied to the Office language. For multilingual reading, you must install or enable voices for each target language. Some Office setups allow you to switch voices or install language packs, helping you to listen to text in languages such as Spanish, French, Chinese, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Check your office language settings and operating system speech options when you want to add or change voices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After you add Speak to the Quick Access Toolbar, select the words or block of text you want to hear and click the Speak icon. Speak will read only the selected text and stop when it reaches the end of the selection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Want continuous reading of a whole document? Use Read Aloud instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Word supports several listening tools<\/a> for different needs. Read Aloud plays all or part of your document and works in and outside Immersive Reader on Windows and macOS. Immersive Reader offers text spacing, reading focus, and other aids that improve comprehension and fluency. Speak reads just the text you select and is available on Windows only. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Narrator is the Windows screen reader app that reads dialog boxes, buttons, and user interface elements, as well as text, for complete system accessibility. On macOS, use the built-in Speech accessibility feature by setting Speech preferences in your system preferences and assigning a keyboard shortcut to read selected text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look for voice selection and playback speed controls in Read Aloud and in your system speech settings. Verify that the correct language voice is installed when you need multilingual support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you rely on accessibility features, explore Narrator settings or Mac Speech options for hotkeys and verbosity. Do you need a calmer voice or faster playback for review work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Select whole paragraphs for smooth flow. Adjust speed and voice until the pacing matches your ear. Use Read Aloud for long listening sessions and Speak for quick checks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Install language voices when you work with multiple languages. Try using the combined tools of Immersive Reader and Read Aloud to improve focus and comprehension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Text-to-speech converts written text into spoken audio so you can listen to documents, web pages, emails, and spreadsheets. Windows provides built-in engines (Narrator, Read Aloud in Office, and the SAPI voices in Control Panel) and lets you add voices and adjust rate, pitch, and volume. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use these tools to: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose the Narrator modifier key (Caps Lock or Insert by default) in Narrator settings. The modifier key must be held while you press other Narrator shortcuts. A welcome screen runs you through basic navigation and reading controls when you first start Narrator, so follow the tutorial to get familiar with the commands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Complete the tutorial so that Windows learns your voice and you learn the basics of commands and dictation. After setup, a speech recognition status window appears; click the microphone icon there to enable or disable recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Word\u2019s Read Aloud, open the voice menu or gear icon and use the speed slider to make the voice faster or slower. For volume control, adjust the app or system volume from the taskbar speaker icon. In Windows Control Panel > Speech (Text to Speech)<\/em>, adjust the voice and speed sliders to change the system voice that Excel\u2019s Speak or other SAPI clients will use. Narrator uses a modifier key (Caps Lock or Insert) plus other keys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Key playback and reading shortcuts include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Press modifier + F1 to open the complete commands list, and modifier + F2 to show commands for the current item.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Turn Scan Mode on or off with the Caps Lock key and the Space key. When Scan Mode is on, you navigate page content with Up and Down arrows and jump to elements with single-letter commands: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Scan Mode reduces the number of keypresses needed to locate and read specific items on a page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Add the Speak Cells command to Excel\u2019s Quick Access Toolbar (File > Options > Quick Access Toolbar ><\/em> Choose commands from: Commands Not in the Ribbon > Speak Cells > Add)<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, select a range and click Speak Cells or press Enter to have Excel read the values as you move through the cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Want row-by-row readback automatically? Enable Speak Cells on Enter from the Speak menu in the Quick Access Toolbar or use a simple macro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example VBA to read a range sequentially:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sub ReadRange() Run this macro to listen to each cell one after another as you visually review the sheet. Read Aloud in Office allows you to select different voices and adjust the reading speed. In Word, click Read Aloud > Voice <\/em>options and pick a voice and speed. If a preferred voice does not appear, add it by navigating to Settings > Time & Language > Speech > Add voices<\/em>. Use Read Aloud to catch errors you miss visually, to rehear tone and flow, or to learn pronunciation when studying a language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Read Aloud and Speak are compatible with Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and OneNote. In PowerPoint, the Read Aloud feature reads slide notes and text in presentation mode. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In Outlook, select an email and use Read Aloud to hear messages. Consistent TTS settings let you switch between apps without changing voices each time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If voices are missing, install language packs or voice packages from Settings > Time & Language > Language<\/em>. If speech sounds robotic or cuts out, update audio drivers and confirm the correct playback device in Settings > System > Sound<\/em>. If Narrator reads wrong elements, toggle Scan Mode or run Narrator key + F1 for help. Use Immersive Reader in Word and OneNote for focused reading with Read Aloud, line focus, and adjustable text spacing. Increase font size, adjust color contrast, or enable high contrast mode from Settings > Ease of Access<\/em> to help readers with vision differences. Want a focused tip or a quick script for your version of Excel or Word? Please specify which Windows and Office edition you are using, and I will provide exact menu clicks or a short macro tailored to your setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stop spending hours on voiceovers or settling for robotic-sounding narration. Voice.ai’s text-to-speech tool<\/a> delivers natural, human-like voices that capture emotion and personality \u2013 perfect for content creators, developers, and educators who need professional audio fast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose from our library of AI voices, generate speech in multiple languages, and transform your projects with voiceovers that actually sound real. Try Voice Ai\u2019s<\/a> text-to-speech tool for free today and hear the difference quality makes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balabolka connects to the Microsoft Speech Platform, SAPI 5, and SAPI 4, and can save speech as MP3 or WAV. You can tweak pronunciation, control rate and pitch, and batch convert text files. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Use Balabolka to turn SAPI voices into shareable audio files without a cloud account. It also supports SSML tags for more precise control of speaking style, allowing for pauses or emphasis when needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When to pick it:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Converting articles, books, or batches of documents on a local Windows machine without sending content to the cloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WordTalk is an add-on for MS Word that reads the document aloud from inside the editor. It utilizes SAPI 4 and SAPI 5 voices, keeping you in the document while you proof, edit, or follow along. The interface is simple and keyboard-friendly, so proofreading becomes faster. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Use case:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Writers, editors, and students who want to hear drafts while keeping the editing environment active and without exporting files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Natural Leader offers both free and premium tiers. The premium tier adds the ability to turn images into speech and more voice options. You can run it in a browser or install it on your PC, paste text, click Play, and adjust the tempo and contractions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Those tempo and pronunciation controls help for lectures and accessibility reads where timing matters. Try it when you want a quick installable app that supports image-to-speech and flexible tempo control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Robo Talk is a free Microsoft Store app that opens a file from your library, narrates it, and lets you save the result. It offers control over speed, tone, and voice, and keeps the workflow straightforward for casual users. The minimal interface suits basic needs without a learning curve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pick Robo Talk for one-off conversions or quick narration tests on a Windows device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ElevenLabs offers state-of-the-art neural voices and voice cloning, designed explicitly for long-form narration and podcasts. It supports expressive control and multi-language output. Descript Overdub focuses on integrated audio editing and voice cloning within a single workflow, allowing you to edit audio just like text. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Murf.ai and Speechify target creators and business users with studio features, collaboration tools, and easy export to MP3 or WAV formats. Select these when you require broadcast-quality narration, voice cloning, or a straightforward studio-style interface for video and podcast production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All of these features enable you to synthesize files to MP3 or WAV, control pronunciation with SSML, and integrate voice into apps at scale. They also provide SDKs and examples for: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pick cloud APIs when you need programmatic speech generation, multi-language support, or high throughput for production apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’d like, please let me know your Windows platform version and the voice style you need, and I will recommend a specific tool along with a step-by-step setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stop spending hours on voiceovers or settling for robotic-sounding narration. Voice AI\u2019s text-to-speech tool<\/a> gives natural, human-like voices that capture emotion and personality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose from a growing library of AI voice fonts, produce speech in multiple languages, and get clean audio for videos, courses, or apps in minutes. Try our text-to-speech tool for free today and hear the difference quality makes<\/p>\n\n\n\n Content creators who need fast narration for YouTube, social clips, or marketing videos will value voice quality and turnaround. Developers who build apps, games, or bots can call our API to synthesize speech programmatically and export MP3 or WAV files. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Educators and instructional designers can make lessons more accessible with clear, expressive audio for learners. Accessibility teams can replace monotone system voices with richer narration that improves comprehension and engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Microsoft offers built-in system voices through Windows Text to Speech, Narrator, and Edge Read Aloud, as well as advanced neural voices in Azure Cognitive Services. Those are reliable and integrated into Windows 10 and 11, but many teams want more vocal variety and emotion than default system voices provide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Voice AI’s text-to-speech tool<\/a> makes that setup even easier, with straightforward controls and natural-sounding voices that help you get Windows speaking in minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is Microsoft Text-To-Speech, And How Can It Help Me?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow Microsoft Converts Text Into Natural-Sounding Speech<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Practical Benefits for Real World Use<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Speak: The Built-In Reader in Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and OneNote<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Text-to-Speech Works Across Languages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Add Speak to the Quick Access Toolbar in Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and OneNote<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Use Speak to Read Selected Text Aloud<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Listen to Your Word Documents with Multiple Built-In Tools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Settings You Should Check Right Away<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Quick Tips for Better Listening and Usability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Related Reading<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How to Use Microsoft Text to Speech<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nText-to-Speech on a Windows PC: What You Can Do Right Now<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Turn On and Use Text to Speech in Windows 10 and 11 with Narrator<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Turn On and Use Text to Speech in Windows 7 (Speech Recognition and Speech Properties)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Accessing and Customizing Text-to-Speech Settings in Windows 7<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Change Windows Voices and Install Additional Voices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How to Use Text-to-Speech in Microsoft Word and Office (Read Aloud and Speak)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Adding and Using the ‘Speak’ Command in the Quick Access Toolbar.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Adjust Speech Rate, Pitch, and Volume in Office and Windows<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Narrator provides its own controls: press the Narrator modifier key + Ctrl + Plus to increase TTS volume and modifier + Ctrl + Minus to decrease volume. Use modifier + Plus or modifier + Minus to change the speaking rate while the Narrator is running.<\/p>\n\n\n\nKeyboard Shortcuts to Control Narrator and Read Text<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Use Scan Mode for Faster Navigation with Narrator<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Make Excel Read Cells Aloud, Change Voice, and Set Speed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Using Macros to Read Cells Sequentially<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Dim c As Range
For Each c In Range(“A1:A10”)
If Len(Trim(c.Text)) > 0 Then Application.Speech.Speak c.Text
Next c
End Sub<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Control Which Voice Excel Uses by changing the system TTS voice in Control Panel > Speech > Text to Speech or Settings > Time & Language > Speech<\/em> so Office uses that voice when speaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAdvanced Text-to-Speech Customization and Voice Selection in Office<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can install enhanced voices or third-party SAPI-compatible voices to expand your voice options. After installation, set them in the Speech or Narrator voice menus so Office and Narrator can use the new voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImprove Productivity with Text-to-Speech: Proofreading, Learning, and Multitasking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Using Text-to-Speech Across Microsoft Applications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Accessibility Tweaks and Common Troubleshooting Steps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If Office Read Aloud does not speak, check that Office is up to date and that the system voice is set in Windows speech settings. Test voices in Control Panel > Speech > Text to Speech<\/em> by using the Preview button to confirm the voice is installed and audible.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAccessibility Enhancements: Immersive Reader, Contrast, and Screen Reader Compatibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For users who rely on screen readers, Microsoft Word and Office are compatible with JAWS and NVDA. To improve compatibility, install the latest Office accessibility updates and test documents with the target screen reader to ensure that labels and headings are read correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\nQuick Troubleshooting Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Related Reading<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Best Text-To-Speech Downloadable Software for PC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Voice AI That Sounds Human And Is Quick To Use<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBalabolka: Best Free Windows Converter When You Want Files You Can Use<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWordtalk: Read Your Draft Inside Word Without Switching Apps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nNatural Leader: A Windows 10-Friendly Reader With Extra Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Robo Talk: A Simple Store App When You Just Want A Quick Convert And Save<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nElevenlabs And Other High-Quality Neural Voice Options: For Creators And Polished Narration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCloud developer platforms: Amazon Polly, Google Cloud Text to Speech, IBM Watson<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Practical Checks And Tips Before You Start<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Related Reading<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Try our Text-to-Speech Tool for Free Today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Who Should Use Voice AI And Why It Fits Real Projects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Voice Ai Lines Up With Microsoft Text To Speech Options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n