Vista - How to change Narrator voice from Anna?

geoffrey1 · 07-07-2009

I want to change the voice on my PC from the default Anna to any other. Although I have downloaded and installed other voices, I still have only one option in the Select Voice bar under Voice Settings. I have seen this problem reported in other forums and have yet to find any solution.
Please help me get rid of Anna!

**stoneys-nutz** · 07-09-2009

Hello geoffrey1,
When you say you have downloaded new voices, where did you install them ?, seems strange they are not being picked up by the OS, can you double check the install instructions ?. Also take a look here, it's an alternative to windows and it's free.

http://www.panopreter.com/

geoffrey1 · 07-09-2009

Thanks for reply. I downloaded Panopreter also and ran it. In the select voice box I get Microsoft Anna as the only voice option. I checked the Narrator that came installed on my PC and Anna is the one and only choice. It seems strange it is so difficult to change the default voice. Your's is the onle reply I've had, so it can't be easy.

**stoneys-nutz** · 07-09-2009

There doesn't seem to be a lot of info out there, but i wiil keep looking.

**stoneys-nutz** · 07-09-2009

Have you looked here ?.

Text-To-Speech voices

geoffrey1 · 07-09-2009

Looks like I'll have to pay Microsoft support $50 for the answer but it should not be so difficult to get free info. on this. I am also reluctant to pay them only to have them say Anna is the only voice available on my PC.
Thanks again

**Brink** · 07-09-2009

Hello Geoffrey, and welcome to Vista Forums.

By default Vista only comes with the Anna voice for Narrator. You can can change the Speed, Volume, and Pitch for this voice. However, you will have to download (most likely purchase) and install a 3rd party voice that supports Windows Vista to change the voice. The link below is an example that has some voices that you can try out before purchasing, but I have no idea if they will work or not.

http://www.cepstral.com/downloads/

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**SIW2** · 07-10-2009

Hi,

There are some free ones at the bottom of this page - whether they work with Vista I am not sure :

NextUp.com - Additional Voices for our Text to Speech Software

**tyucvb** · 08-20-2009

I use panopreter to read with cepstral voices, the reading sounds natural, and the trial version of cepstral voice has no time limitation.

07-07-2009	#1 (permalink)
geoffrey1 64bit 4 posts	How to change Narrator voice from Anna? I want to change the voice on my PC from the default Anna to any other. Although I have downloaded and installed other voices, I still have only one option in the Select Voice bar under Voice Settings. I have seen this problem reported in other forums and have yet to find any solution. Please help me get rid of Anna!
My System Specs

07-09-2009	#2 (permalink)
stoneys-nutz Vista Ultimate x64, SP2 1,432 posts	Re: How to change Narrator voice from Anna? Hello geoffrey1, When you say you have downloaded new voices, where did you install them ?, seems strange they are not being picked up by the OS, can you double check the install instructions ?. Also take a look here, it's an alternative to windows and it's free. http://www.panopreter.com/ Last edited by stoneys-nutz; 07-09-2009 at 11:29 AM..
My System Specs

07-09-2009	#3 (permalink)
geoffrey1 64bit 4 posts	Re: How to change Narrator voice from Anna? Thanks for reply. I downloaded Panopreter also and ran it. In the select voice box I get Microsoft Anna as the only voice option. I checked the Narrator that came installed on my PC and Anna is the one and only choice. It seems strange it is so difficult to change the default voice. Your's is the onle reply I've had, so it can't be easy.
My System Specs

07-09-2009	#4 (permalink)
stoneys-nutz Vista Ultimate x64, SP2 1,432 posts	Re: How to change Narrator voice from Anna? There doesn't seem to be a lot of info out there, but i wiil keep looking.
My System Specs

07-09-2009	#5 (permalink)
stoneys-nutz Vista Ultimate x64, SP2 1,432 posts	Re: How to change Narrator voice from Anna? Have you looked here ?. Text-To-Speech voices
My System Specs

07-09-2009	#6 (permalink)
geoffrey1 64bit 4 posts	Re: How to change Narrator voice from Anna? Looks like I'll have to pay Microsoft support $50 for the answer but it should not be so difficult to get free info. on this. I am also reluctant to pay them only to have them say Anna is the only voice available on my PC. Thanks again
My System Specs

07-09-2009	#7 (permalink)
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,940 posts	Re: How to change Narrator voice from Anna? Hello Geoffrey, and welcome to Vista Forums. By default Vista only comes with the Anna voice for Narrator. You can can change the Speed, Volume, and Pitch for this voice. However, you will have to download (most likely purchase) and install a 3rd party voice that supports Windows Vista to change the voice. The link below is an example that has some voices that you can try out before purchasing, but I have no idea if they will work or not. http://www.cepstral.com/downloads/ Hope this helps, Shawn
My System Specs

07-10-2009	#8 (permalink)
SIW2 VISTA HOME PREMIUM X64/ 7 x64 / 7x86 2,301 posts	Re: How to change Narrator voice from Anna? Hi, There are some free ones at the bottom of this page - whether they work with Vista I am not sure : NextUp.com - Additional Voices for our Text to Speech Software
My System Specs

08-20-2009	#9 (permalink)
tyucvb Vista Home Premium 32bit 7 posts	I use panopreter to read with cepstral voices, the reading sounds natural, and the trial version of cepstral voice has no time limitation.
My System Specs

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