You can choose the default voice your computer uses to read text aloud or speak alert messages. You can also specify how fast the default voice speaks. (Some programs have their own default speech settings.)

Changing the default voice and speed

To change the default voice, and to change how fast the voice speaks, use the Voice section of the Speech control panel.

Help me choose a voice and speed.

Note: The voices labeled "high quality" in the Voice pop-up menu use the most random-access memory (RAM) and provide the most natural sound. The English voices Agnes, Bruce, and Victoria, and the Mexican Spanish voices Carlos and Catalina use somewhat less RAM but still sound quite clear.

Choosing Mexican Spanish voices

If you've installed Mexican Spanish Text-to-Speech, four extra voices appear in the Voice pop-up menu in the Speech control panel. Choose one of these voices to hear Spanish text spoken with proper Mexican Spanish pronunciation.