How to download language packs for speech recognition in Windows 11

Check Current Language and Speech Capabilities

Checking your installed language packs lets you see which speech recognition features are already on your computer before you download anything new. You can view your current language list and speech capabilities through the Time & language section in Windows Settings ⚙️ to avoid downloading ⬇️ duplicates.

1. Press Win+I to open Settings ⚙️.

   

2. Select Time & language.

   

3. Click on Language & region.

   

4. Look under the Preferred languages list to see your active system languages.

   

5. Click the three dots next to a language in the list and select Language options to view available features like Speech, Handwriting, and Basic typing.

Download Language Packs via Windows Settings

You can add a new language and its speech tools through the Language & region settings menu by connecting to the internet and using an administrator account.

1. Open Settings ⚙️ by pressing the Win and the I key together.
2. Select Time & language.
3. Click on Language & region.

   

4. Click the Add a language button under the Preferred languages section.
5. Type the name of the language you want into the search 🔍 box or scroll through the list.

   

6. Click on the target language to select it, then click Next.
7. Check the box labeled Speech recognition if it is listed under the optional features.
8. Click Install to begin downloading ⬇️ the language pack and its associated speech features.

Install Optional Speech Features Separately

Installing 💿 optional speech features separately lets you add voice recognition to an existing display language without changing how Windows looks on your screen. You can add just the speech component by opening the language options menu next to your preferred language in Windows Settings ⚙️.

1. Open Settings ⚙️ by pressing the Win and the I key together.
2. Select Time & language.
3. Click on Language & region.
4. Locate your preferred language in the list, click the three dots next to it, and select Language options.
5. Scroll down to the Optional features section and click Add a feature.
6. Search for Speech recognition in the list of available features.
7. Check the box next to Speech recognition and click Next, then click Install.

Configure Offline Speech Recognition

Configuring offline speech recognition lets you use voice typing and dictation without an active internet connection by downloading ⬇️ dedicated acoustic models. You can turn on offline speech files through the Privacy & security settings menu in Windows 11.

1. Open Settings ⚙️ by pressing the Win and the I key together.
2. Select Privacy & security.
3. Click on Speech.

   

4. Look for the Offline speech recognition section.
5. Click the Manage installed languages button.
6. Click the Install button next to any language you want to use offline.

Troubleshooting Speech Pack Download Failures

Troubleshooting speech pack download failures fixes stuck downloads and error codes caused by pending system updates or network issues. You can resolve these problems by checking for new Windows updates and clearing temporary installation caches.

1. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and the I key together.
2. Select Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates and install any pending system updates, as missing updates often block optional feature downloads.
4. Disconnect from any active metered network connections or virtual private networks that might restrict large optional downloads.
5. Restart your computer and attempt the language pack download again through Settings.

Manage Delivery Optimization for Language Downloads

Managing Delivery Optimization controls how Windows downloads optional features like language packs across your network to fix interrupted downloads. You can adjust these settings through the advanced Windows Update options on your computer.

1. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and the I key together.
2. Select Windows Update.
3. Click Advanced options.
4. Select Delivery Optimization under the Additional options list.
5. Ensure that Allow downloads from other PCs is toggled correctly according to your network preferences, or toggle it on if local peer downloads are blocked.

What to do next

Test your newly installed speech pack by opening a text document, pressing the Windows key and the H key together, and speaking into your microphone.