How to Enable or Disable Speech Recognition in Windows Mixed Reality

Windows Mixed Reality allows you to navigate and interact using voice commands, letting you perform actions like taking photos, opening apps, and even teleporting without needing to use controllers. This guide will walk you through enabling or disabling speech recognition for Windows Mixed Reality on Windows 10 devices.

There are two main methods to configure speech recognition settings for Windows Mixed Reality:

Method 1: Using the Settings App

The Settings app provides a straightforward way to toggle speech recognition on or off:

Step 1: Open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I on your keyboard.

Step 2: Click on "Mixed reality" in the Settings menu.

Step 3: Select "Audio and speech" from the left sidebar.

Step 4: On the right side of the window, locate the "Speech recognition" option. Check the box to enable speech recognition or uncheck it to disable the feature.

Step 5: Close the Settings app. Your changes will be applied automatically.

Method 2: Using the Registry Editor

For more advanced users, the Registry Editor offers another way to control speech recognition settings. However, be cautious when modifying the registry, as incorrect changes can cause system issues.

Step 1: Before proceeding, it's highly recommended to create a system restore point or back up your registry.

Step 2: Open the Run dialog by pressing Windows key + R.

Step 3: Type "regedit" and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.

Step 4: Navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Speech_OneCore\Settings\Holographic

Step 5: Look for a DWORD value named "DisableSpeechInput" in the right pane. If it doesn't exist, right-click in the blank space, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it "DisableSpeechInput".

Step 6: Double-click the "DisableSpeechInput" value and set its data:

• To enable speech recognition, set the value to 0.
• To disable speech recognition, set the value to 1.

Step 7: Click OK to save the change, then close the Registry Editor.

Step 8: Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

With speech recognition enabled, you can use voice commands to navigate Windows Mixed Reality more efficiently. Remember that the feature works best with a good-quality microphone, preferably one built into your Mixed Reality headset or a dedicated headset with a microphone.

Have you tried using voice commands in Windows Mixed Reality? They can really streamline your virtual experience!