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Why can't I change the default voice in Windows 10 Pro from David?

Anonymous
2022-10-27T23:27:17+00:00

I changed the default voice to Zira in Time and Language>Speech>Voices>Microsoft Zira. I changed Ease of Access>Narrator>Microsoft Zira Desktop English.

I restarted my PC several times. I double checked all the above settings each re-start. Still the default voice is Microsoft David.

When I click on Preview Voice I hear You have selected Microsoft Zira as the default voice.

When I create a document in Word and click Speak selected text on the Quick Access Toolbar, the voice is David.

When I open a .pdf file in Adobe Acrobat and select Read the voice is David.

I have a desktop with Windows 10 Pro

I have a desktop with Windows 10 Home

I have a laptop with Windows 10 Pro

I have a laptop with Windows 10 Home

All four of these computers have the exact same issue. I cannot get the default, Microsoft Zira, to work on any of them either in Word documents or .pdf files with Adobe Acrobat.

Please tell me how to get this changed.

I can say that this has not always been the case. I last used the Speak selected text several months ago. It worked with whatever voice I selected at that time.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Accessibility

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-11-01T01:37:00+00:00

    I am not upgrading to Windows 11.

    I verified all 4 computers are 22H2.

    I ran sfc /scannow on all 4 computers

    All four computers will not allow the voice to be changed from Microsoft David.

    I downloaded additional voices and note of them will apply.

    Office and Adobe will not play back in any voice but David.

    I installed Text to Speech app from the Microsoft Store and it will play back text entered into it in Zira's voice.

    I can open documents with it and It will play back Office documents opened by the app in Zira's voice.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-10-28T00:14:56+00:00

    Hi WR. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.

    I've seen this reported several times recently. Apparently Microsoft Zira is not working for reading aloud in Windows 10 due to an Update.

    SInce it's been a year since it was reported below, are you fully updated with WIndows and Office? Check in Windows in Settings > System > About if you have Version 22H2 and if not install the Media Creation Tool from this link https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/software-downlo... choose Download Tool Now, install the tool, open it and choose Upgrade this PC Now. This will save your files and apps while bringing you up to the latest version by the most stable method. It will also bring all of your Updates current and solve most problems since it reinstalls Windows.

    To update to latest version of Office see here:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/upda...

    There are also possible fixes reported here:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/fo...

    https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/word/whe...

    https://allthings.how/how-to-use-microsoft-word...

    https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrosoftEdge/comments...

    If nothing there works then to report this bug to Microsoft you may be able to help improve this product/experience by using the Feedback Hub in Start Menu, especially if you are willing to share logs and other requested information. While they will probably not see this here in the forums, Microsoft developers DO read feedback from customers that comes in via the Feedback Hub, so that is a great way to share your thoughts on how to better serve you as a customer.

    Report back results for each step so I know what else to suggest.

    Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

    ______________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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