Language/Multiple-languages/Culture/How-to-use-SR-and-TTS-on-Windows

Speech Recognition and Text-To-Speech are helpful tools to train your pronunciation and listening (but don't expect them to be always correct).

However, people may be confused about how to get them on Windows.

According to https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/office/developer/speech-technologies/jj127858(v=msdn.10), there are two situations: Before and after Windows Vista.

p.s.: That page is outdated, SAPI supports more languages than described now.

Before Windows Vista: Microsoft Speech Platform

You need Microsoft Speech Platform Runtime (if your computer is 64 bits, choose x64; if your computer is 32 bits, choose x86):

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=27225

And install SR and TTS voices (the codes are ISO 639-1 and ISO 3166-1):

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=27224

To use TTS, click on Start (Windows icon) → All programs → Accessories → Ease of Access → Narrator. Narrator is not easy to use, while Balabolka can do the job better:

http://www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm

In Balabolka, click on the tab “Microsoft Speech Platform”, and select the voice. Input something and click on the little play button, enjoy.

To use SR, click on Start (Windows icon) → All programs → Accessories → Ease of Access → Windows Speech Recognition.

To uninstall any of this, click on Start (Windows icon) → Accessories → System Tools → Control Panel → All Control Panel Items → Programs and Features, select and click on “Uninstall”.

Windows Vista and next off: SAPI 5

You don't need to, but you can also install Microsoft Speech Platform in this situation.

Click on Start (Windows icon) → Settings → Time & language → Region & language → Add a language, select the one you would like, and click "Options" of the language, then click “Download” below “Speech”. It may requires a reboot.

You can find TTS in Narrator. Narrator is not easy to use, while Balabolka can do the job better:

http://www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm

In Balabolka, click on the tab “SAPI 5”, and select the voice. Input something and click on the little play button, enjoy.

SR can be found as Windows Speech Recognition.

If you want to change the language SR recognises, click on Start (Windows icon) → Settings → Time & language → Speech, and select your “Speech language”.

To uninstall any of this, click on Start (Windows icon) → Settings → Time & language → Region & language, select the language, click on “Options”, select the item and uninstall.