Microsoft provides both a device-based speech recognition feature and cloud-based (online) speech recognition technologies which allow users to accurately use their voice for commands, dictation, and app interactions. Microsoft cloud-based speech recognition technologies provide more accurate recognition than device-based speech recognition. When the online speed recognition setting is disabled, Windows will still use its basic device-based recognition – like the Narrator app. However, However, Microsoft cloud-based speech recognition technologies provide more accurate recognition than device-based speech recognition. So if you want to use speech commands for other services and features, you will want to turn on Online speech recognition. If you want to only use Windows device-based speech recognition and turn off the online speech recognition for privacy reasons, the steps below show you how to do that.
How to turn Off or On online speech recognition in Windows 11
As mentioned above, Microsoft provides both a device-based speech recognition feature and cloud-based (online) speech recognition technologies which allow users to accurately use their voice for commands, dictation, and app interactions. Below is how to enable or disable online speech recognition in Windows 11. Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings. From system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows, all can be done from its System Settings pane. To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + I shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings as shown in the image below: Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar and search for Settings. Then select to open it. Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. In Windows Settings, click Privacy & Security, then select Speech tile on the right pane as highlighted in the image below. On the Privacy & security > Speech settings pane, below Online speech recognition, toggle the On switch to enable or disable Online speech recognition. That should do it! Conclusion: This post showed you how to turn on or off online speech recognition in Windows 11. If you find any error above or have something to share, please use the comment form below.
