Opening and reading PDF files in Microsoft Edge on Windows 10
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I often use the read aloud/tts feature when I'm studying and going through my textbook and what not. Normally I am just on my desktop and use the default US/Can english voices, but recently I used the read aloud feature from my laptop and found a lot of other voices that sounded a lot better. When selecting them from the voice options, they usually have the word "natural" in brackets as well. I want to have these voices on my desktop but for the life of me cannot find out how to get them, or where to even find information about it. The most I've got is that I think they're called cloud powered voices or something. How do I get these voices to my desktop?
Opening and reading PDF files in Microsoft Edge on Windows 10
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Yeah, I've done this and read it over multiple times, but these voices don't seem to include the cloud powered voices? I am looking for the cloud powered/online voices, like the voice "Microsoft Guy Online (Natural) - English (United States)"
Look guys
I don't think anybody is able to explain the problem here
so listen
I am a normal windows user who want to use tts(text to speech) voices for reading pdf files/
articles
Now the problem is that the voice I prefer for reading the pdf files is only available on Microsoft edge browser
and those voices have natural written in brackets like: (Natural) in the screenshot below:-
These (Natural) voices aren't available when I am offline
So I tried opening my setting page and saw these options, none of these voices had (Natural) written beside them
So I tried clicking on blue "online" thing just above the search bar in the screenshot above:
I'm taken to this page where I don't see any download button
and no (Natural) voices
either
Before you tell me to reset the pc / update my pc / reinstall windows / reinstall Microsoft edge
These things aren't going to help me download those natural voice packages!!
So please come up with a good solution which actually works
So that Cortana's voice sound more natural (This is another problem I'm facing Cortana's voice doesn't sound natural)
I'm sorry if this reply offended you
this reply was not intended to hurt any individual's feelings
Just wanted to bring my problem up on the internet
which might me a problem for more windows users!!
This voice is available on Edge.
Do you use Edge on your notebook to read aloud feature?
I have some good news!
Two updates: First, the latest MS Edge browser (not just the Developer) has the natural voices now, but don’t be surprised if yours doesn’t yet. I tested it last week on my home laptop & was pleasantly surprised to hear the good voices, but when I tested it out on my work laptop, it was the same old robotic voices even after I updated it. Today, however, it works. I have the Natural voices!
Second update: if you are trying to read a Word doc or PDF, I’ve discovered something recently that may help. While this solution does not get the natural voices on your desktop apps, it may help you read Word docs or PDF’s if you have a MS 365 account.
I’ve been searching over a year for a solution, and then I ran across something on a support page that took me to this video by MS EDU: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEXcFrsWaVA
You can also find it by searching youtube for “Accessible reading with Immersive Reader.”
Immersive Reader in Word & OneNote Online in MS 365
I’ve been showing the voices off to the college students I work with, and they are really impressed, but most of the docs they receive are PDF’s so this is my suggested work around here:
Three options for PDF’s:
**Option 1**
P.S. For reading the web, Chrome also has an unofficial MS Immersive Reader extension using these voices. Search for MS Immersive Reader. If it doesn’t sound like the natural voices. Search the store again. You might not have the right extension.
I really appreciate learning that I could find these Natural voices on the Developer version. I knew I had heard them a few months and was greatly impressed. I work with college students with learning challenges such as Dyslexia, and I'm looking forward to seeing these voices come out on the standard versions of Edge. I've always steered my students over to Chrome reading extensions and to the Read and Write software by Texthelp for which our university has a campus license. The voices in it are very good, but these natural voices are on another level, and I think our students would love it in combination with Immersive Reader. I would really welcome seeing these voices added to the Windows language packs. Our students receive a plethora of PDF reading material from instructors, and if the voices were available, I'd have them open the PDF's through MS Word and use Immersive Reader. Word would then also provide additional mark-up tools that they need for annotation. If anyone learns that these voices become available, please let us know. Thanks!