Voice access in Windows 11 is an accessibility feature that lets users control their computer using voice commands. Users can configure voice access to activate before signing in to allow hands-free login, password entry, and navigation.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to turn voice access on or off in Windows 11 before signing in.
Ways to enable or disable auto-start voice access before signing into Windows 11
You can enable or disable voice access before signing in by configuring it in Settings, navigating Registry Editor, creating a PowerShell script, or making a REG file.
Each method has its benefits, so whether you’re an individual user or an IT administrator, there’s a method that suits your needs.
📌 Prerequisites:
- Windows 11 version 22H2 or later
- The device must support microphone input.
📌 Recommended deployment strategies:
| Click to Choose a Method | 💻 Best for Individual Users | 💻💻💻 Best for Enterprises |
| Method 1: Configure via Settings | ✓ | |
| Method 2: Enable or disable with Registry Editor | ✓ | |
| Method 3: Automate using a PowerShell script | ✓ | |
| Method 4: Create and merge a REG file | ✓ |
Method 1: Configure via Settings
Navigating the Settings to enable or disable voice access is the easiest method to follow. You don’t need specialized apps or scripts to do this method, making it ideal for individual users who want to change settings.
📌 Use Case: Individual users looking to enable or disable voice access
- Press the Window key, type Settings, and press Enter.
- Click on Accessibility, then Speech.
- Under Voice access, toggle:
- Start voice access before you sign in to your PC
- On = Launches voice access on the sign-in screen
- Off = Voice access will not start until manually enabled post-sign-in
- Start voice access before you sign in to your PC
- Click Yes, continue when asked if you want to set up voice access.
💡 Note: This method only applies to the current user profile and takes effect immediately.
Method 2: Enable or disable with Registry Editor
Using Registry Editor to enable voice access is helpful in enterprise environments and for system administrators who need to configure different endpoints.
Administrators can also use this method to lock or enforce registry-based settings using Group Policy to prevent end-users from modifying them.
📌 Use Case: IT administrators looking to apply the setting across different devices remotely
- Press the Window key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
- Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Accessibility - Right-click the right pane and press New > DWORD (32-bit) Value:
- Name: VoiceAccessPreLoginEnabled
- Value:
- 1 = Enable auto-start at sign-in
- 0 = Disable auto-start
- Close Registry Editor and sign out to apply changes
💡 Tip: You can copy and paste the address into Registry Editor’s address bar to access the Accessibility folder directly.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure you create a DWORD for the changes to take effect. (For more info, refer to Things to look out for.)
Method 3: Automate using a PowerShell script
Another option is to use PowerShell commands to automate the auto-start of voice access before the sign-in screen. This makes PowerShell the ideal method for IT administrators who need to change the settings of different computers.
📌 Use Case: IT administrators who want to automate the feature on different endpoints
📌 Prerequisite: Administrator privileges
- Press the Windows key + X, then click Terminal (admin).
- Copy and paste the scripts below (depending on your need), then press Enter.
- Enable Voice Access before sign-in:
New-Item -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Accessibility" -Force | Out-NullSet-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Accessibility"-Name "VoiceAccessPreLoginEnabled" -Value 1 - Disable Voice Access before sign-in:
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Accessibility"-Name "VoiceAccessPreLoginEnabled" -Value 0
- Enable Voice Access before sign-in:
💡 Note: These commands affect only the currently logged-in user (HKCU = HKEY_CURRENT_USER). You’ll have to repeat the same method to change the settings of another user.
⚠️ Warning: Test the script on a separate device before deploying it to multiple endpoints. Any scripting error could lead to system-wide issues. (For more info, refer to Things to look out for.)
Method 4: Create and merge a REG file
Creating a REG file to enable or disable voice access is another relatively simple method that doesn’t require administrator rights or specialized apps. This method is more suited for IT administrators, but at-home users can also use it.
📌 Use Case: IT admins looking to deploy a REG file to automate configuration across different machines
📌 Prerequisite: Administrator privileges
- Press the Windows key, type Notepad, then press Enter.
- Copy and paste the following (separate files) and save them as the written filename:
- Turn On Auto Start Voice Access before Sign in
- Filename: Turn_ON_Start_voice_access_before_sign_in.reg
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Accessibility]"Configuration"="voiceaccess"
- Filename: Turn_ON_Start_voice_access_before_sign_in.reg
- Turn Off Auto Start Voice Access before Sign in
- Filename: Turn_OFF_Start_voice_access_before_sign_in.reg
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Accessibility]"Configuration"=""
- Filename: Turn_OFF_Start_voice_access_before_sign_in.reg
- Turn On Auto Start Voice Access before Sign in
- Double-click the REG file to merge it.
- Click Run, Yes, and/or OK to approve the merge.
⚠️ Warning: Ensure you save using the written filename to turn the text into a REG file. (For more info, refer to Things to look out for.)
⚠️ Things to look out for
| Risks | Potential Consequences | Reversals |
| Incorrect file type | Creating a non-DWORD file when editing Registry Editor could cause voice access to not turn on or off. | If you create an incorrect file, delete it immediately by right-clicking it and pressing Delete. |
| Not testing the scripts | Always test a PowerShell script on a local machine before deploying it to different devices. Incorrect PowerShell scripts could result in registry key incompatibility. | Apply the changes on a local machine first to verify if the configuration reflects the intended changes. If not, edit the script and test again. |
| Incorrect script | Copying and pasting incorrect REG file codes may result in system issues once you merge or run the files. | Copy the script correctly, or choose a different method if you’re uncomfortable making a REG file. |
Additional information regarding auto-starting voice access before signing in
Below are some information to keep in mind regarding voice access in Windows 11. They can help you better manage and use the accessibility feature.
Per-user setting
As mentioned, voice access configuration isn’t global. It’s stored under the current user’s profile in Windows Registry. This means users must enable or disable the feature on their accounts if multiple people use the same PC.
Security
Even if voice access starts before the login screen, it doesn’t let someone control the system or access protected data without logging in. You still need to enter a password or PIN to access the desktop.
You can only use voice commands within the limited sign-in interface, such as speaking the password.
Offline usage
Voice access includes on-device capabilities and cloud-powered features. If you’re offline, you can use basic voice commands like “Open Start menu” or “Click OK.”
However, speech-to-text dictation may not work fully without an internet connection, depending on your system version and language pack. To make the most of voice access, it’s recommended to connect to the internet.
Hardware requirement
Since voice access requires your voice to input commands, the feature won’t work without a connected microphone, a muted mic, or an undetected input device.
Logging
Event Viewer doesn’t record voice access activity, so there’s no easy way to audit when it’s enabled, disabled, or started. To monitor the feature, you must create custom scripts or policies that log registry changes manually.
Enhance accessibility in Windows 11 by enabling voice access before signing in
Voice access is an accessibility feature in Windows 11 that lets users control their PCs with voice commands. Users can configure the feature to auto-start before sign-in for hands-free login. You can turn this setting on or off using four methods: Settings (best for individual users), Registry Editor, PowerShell scripts, or REG files (preferred by IT admins for deployment).
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