Microsoft is working on a new accessibility feature known as “Speak for me,” which is expected to arrive with the release of Windows 11 24H2 during the second half of 2024.
Inside the latest preview of Windows 11 (build 26052), X user @PhantomOfEarth has uncovered a new “Speak for me” page in the settings app that will allow you to type what you want to say and then have Windows 11 spoken aloud.
Although the feature is available in the operating system, it’s still a work in progress, and it doesn’t work. However, the description notes that this feature will allow you to create your voice avatar or preserve your voice to communicate with others.
It’s still unclear how this feature will work, but as I understand it, the feature could use AI to create a voice you can use to communicate with others. However, the description also notes an option that perhaps will allow you to record a set of words and use AI to create a new voice using a voice profile.
This feature is expected to work in in-person conversations and online meetings.
Enable Speak for me (preview)
The “Speak for me” appears hidden on Windows 11 build 26052 through the Canary or Dev Channel, and you can use the ViveTool app to enable it.
If you want to access the feature, download the ViveTool from this GitHub page, unzip the contents of the application, and from Command Prompt or PowerShell (admin), run the vivetool /enable /id:47123936 command.
You can learn more about how to use ViveTool to enable experimental features on Windows 11 in this guide.
Once you use the ViveTool to turn on the feature, you can enable it from Settings > Accessibility > Speak for me and turn on the “Speak for me” toggle switch.
Turning on the feature won’t do anything, but the page also notes that you will be able to use the “Windows key + Ctrl + T” keyboard shortcut to turn the feature on or off.
This feature is expected to be part of the Windows 11 24H2 upgrade that Microsoft plans to roll out at some point during the second half of 2024. Some of the expected features include Super Resolution, a new that uses AI to improve the framerates and image quality of games.
The company is also working on Timeline, a new feature that will allow you to scroll back in time through apps and websites that Copilot understands you may need.
AI is also coming to Windows Search, allowing you to search files, settings, and apps using natural language. Copilot will now become content-aware based on the clipboard content, making it easier to perform different actions, whether the content is text or an image.
Furthermore, the next version of the operating system could introduce a new personalization feature, “Depth Effects,” which will use AI to convert a static image into a moving wallpaper by adding a parallax effect and more.