How to Uninstall Voice Access Languages in Windows 11
voice-access-for-windows-11/" class="sal-link" rel="noopener" target="_blank" data-sal-id="2655">Voice access is a powerful tool that lets you control your PC and type using only your voice. It helps you open apps and move around Windows without a mouse or keyboard. When you first start, Windows checks if your display language is ready to work. You can add extra languages later, but if you change your mind, you can remove them to save space.
Why do this?
Removing unused language packs helps keep your computer clean, improves system performance, and frees up valuable storage space on your drive.
What happens when done?
The specific language pack will be deleted from your system. You will no longer be able to use that language for voice commands, and the associated speech recognition data will be removed.
Using the Windows Settings App
This method is the easiest way to manage your installed languages through the graphical interface.
- Click Start and select Settings.
- Go to Apps then Installed apps.
- Find the Speech Pack you want to remove in the list.
- Click the three dots (…) next to the item.
- Select Uninstall.
- Click Uninstall again to confirm.
Using Windows Terminal (Advanced)
Note: This method requires admin privileges. You can use command-line tools to remove these packs quickly. First, open the Terminal app as an administrator.
Type the following command to see a list of your installed speech packs:
Get-AppxPackage *MicrosoftWindows.Speech* | Select Name, PackageFullName
Find the PackageFullName of the language you want to remove. Use that name in this command:
Remove-AppxPackage -Package 'MicrosoftWindows.Speech.en-GB.1_1.0.7.0_x64__cw5n1h2txyewy'
Troubleshooting Greyed-Out Options
If the uninstall button is greyed out, it is likely because the language is currently set as your primary display language or is required by the Windows Update service. Ensure you have a secondary language installed before attempting to remove the current one. You may also need to restart the Windows Speech Recognition service in the Services console.
Verification of Removal
To verify that the language pack is gone, run the following command in an elevated PowerShell window:
Get-AppxPackage -Name *Speech*
If the package name no longer appears in the output, the removal was successful. You can also check your disk space in Settings > System > Storage to confirm the space has been reclaimed.
Summary
Managing your Voice access languages is simple. You can use the Settings menu for a visual approach or Windows Terminal for a faster, command-based method. Removing languages you do not use ensures your system stays organized and efficient. Remember that after installing a new language, you can always manage or remove these tools via Windows Settings if your needs change. For more tips, check out our guide on optimizing Windows 11 performance.
Why can’t I find the language pack in the Installed Apps list?
Some speech packs are managed as optional features rather than standard apps. If you cannot find them in Installed Apps, navigate to Settings > Time & language > Language & region. Click the three dots next to your language, select Language options, and look under the Speech section to remove it there.
Does removing a Voice Access language affect other Windows features?
Removing a Voice Access language only impacts the speech-to-text capabilities for that specific language. It does not affect your display language, keyboard layout, or other core Windows features. However, ensure you do not remove the language currently set as your primary system language to avoid potential interface issues.
Can I reinstall a Voice Access language after removal?
Yes, you can easily reinstall any language pack at any time. Simply go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region, click Add a language, and ensure the Speech recognition box is checked during the installation process. This will restore full Voice Access functionality for that language.
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