SAPI4 support in next full NVDA upgrade
16 views
Skip to first unread message
Gene Asner
Oct 23, 2025, 10:41:47 AMOct 23
to NVDA Screen Reader Discussion
I've been looking at the latest alphas of NVDA and they have a SAPI5
option but no SAPI4. Is it going to be added?
Gene
option but no SAPI4. Is it going to be added?
Gene
Quentin Christensen
Oct 23, 2025, 7:59:56 PMOct 23
to nvda-...@nvaccess.org
Do you mean you would like to use SAPI 4 voices? For that, you'll need to find some to download - they aren't included with NVDA or Windows, although NVDA should work with any SAPI 4 voices you have.
I'm actually not aware of any readily available SAPI 4 voices to suggest, but I'm sure others can.
If you mean you have a SAPI 4 voice and it isn't working, there is a setting to toggle whether to use WASAPI for SAPI 4. Currently this is tucked away in NVDA's advanced settings, although there is a request to make it easier to find here: https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/issues/18310
--
***
Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of Conduct.
NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by the rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
You can contact the group owners and moderators via nvda-user...@nvaccess.org.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/d6b5f8cb-2e9b-23f1-586b-76d24aa7a0fb%40gmail.com.
Quentin Christensen
Training and Support Manager
NV Access
Training: https://www.nvaccess.org/shop/
Certification: https://certification.nvaccess.org/
Subscribe to email updates (blog, new versions, etc): https://eepurl.com/iuVyjo
Other groups: https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/wiki/Connect
Mastodon: https://fosstodon.org/@NVAccess
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NVAccess
Acer B-T
Oct 23, 2025, 8:27:03 PMOct 23
to nvda-...@nvaccess.org
Hi,
I don't believe it will be possible to use sapi4 in nvda 2026, because sapi4 is 32 bit only, not 64 bit. IN regards o the voice situation, there are not any current voices that are sapi4 compatible, so you are left with standard contenders like the old microsoft voices, which can be installed on modern systems, the old learnout and houspy true voice voices, and other older speech synths like Loquendo, which you can no longer buy. As such, you either need a valid license for those or the patch program. IBM tts via voice is also available as sapi4, though I don't know if that's really necessary given that there's already an ibm tts add-on for nvda.
Gene Asner
Oct 23, 2025, 9:05:32 PMOct 23
to nvda-...@nvaccess.org
I have a legal version of Via Voice which I got with Openbook years ago.
It is unrestricted as it was with other programs I used to use as
well. I use it now with NVDA. It is so similar to Eloquence that it
actually may be identical, I don't know in every detail.
It may be that few people use SAPI4 voices but I'm asking about it since
I do.
Gene
> <mailto:nvda-users%2Bman...@nvaccess.org>.
>
> Training: https://www.nvaccess.org/shop/ <https://www.nvaccess.org/shop/>
> User group: _https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/g/nvda-users
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/g/nvda-users>_
> Other groups: https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/wiki/Connect
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/wiki/Connect>
> Mastodon: https://fosstodon.org/@NVAccess <https://fosstodon.org/@NVAccess>
> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NVAccess
> <http://www.facebook.com/NVAccess>
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/CAKsDpFgTN1Tcv-sberDp9LuFc5Vy%2B38JBqr0K9%3DbuDbJtFv0fQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.
It is unrestricted as it was with other programs I used to use as
well. I use it now with NVDA. It is so similar to Eloquence that it
actually may be identical, I don't know in every detail.
It may be that few people use SAPI4 voices but I'm asking about it since
I do.
Gene
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it,
> send an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org
> <mailto:nvda-users%2Bunsu...@nvaccess.org>.
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it,
> send an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/d6b5f8cb-2e9b-23f1-586b-76d24aa7a0fb%40gmail.com
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/d6b5f8cb-2e9b-23f1-586b-76d24aa7a0fb%40gmail.com>.
> https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/d6b5f8cb-2e9b-23f1-586b-76d24aa7a0fb%40gmail.com
>
>
>
> --
>
> Quentin Christensen
> Training and Support Manager
>
> NV Access
> www.nvaccess.org <http://www.nvaccess.org>
>
>
> --
>
> Quentin Christensen
> Training and Support Manager
>
> NV Access
>
> Training: https://www.nvaccess.org/shop/ <https://www.nvaccess.org/shop/>
> Certification: https://certification.nvaccess.org/
> <https://certification.nvaccess.org/>
> Subscribe to email updates (blog, new versions, etc):
> https://eepurl.com/iuVyjo <https://eepurl.com/iuVyjo>
> <https://certification.nvaccess.org/>
> Subscribe to email updates (blog, new versions, etc):
> User group: _https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/g/nvda-users
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/g/nvda-users>_
> Other groups: https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/wiki/Connect
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/wiki/Connect>
> Mastodon: https://fosstodon.org/@NVAccess <https://fosstodon.org/@NVAccess>
> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NVAccess
> <http://www.facebook.com/NVAccess>
>
> --
> ***
> Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of Conduct.
> NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by the
> rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
> https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md>
>
> You can contact the group owners and moderators via
> nvda-user...@nvaccess.org.
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org
> <mailto:nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org>.
> --
> ***
> Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of Conduct.
> NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by the
> rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
> https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md>
>
> You can contact the group owners and moderators via
> nvda-user...@nvaccess.org.
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/CAKsDpFgTN1Tcv-sberDp9LuFc5Vy%2B38JBqr0K9%3DbuDbJtFv0fQ%40mail.gmail.com
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/CAKsDpFgTN1Tcv-sberDp9LuFc5Vy%2B38JBqr0K9%3DbuDbJtFv0fQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.
Gene Asner
Oct 23, 2025, 9:17:27 PMOct 23
to nvda-...@nvaccess.org
As to an IBM Via Voice add-on, I believe it is illegal, if it provides
that voice. It isn't in the store, as far as I can tell, having
searched in all sorts of ways, including, Via, IBM, and others. I don't
want to use illegal add-ons.
Gene
that voice. It isn't in the store, as far as I can tell, having
searched in all sorts of ways, including, Via, IBM, and others. I don't
want to use illegal add-ons.
Gene
Acer B-T
Oct 23, 2025, 9:49:25 PMOct 23
to nvda-...@nvaccess.org
Hi,
The add-on does exist, and I can tell you for sure that it's not illegal. The reason why it's not is because it was just built to integrate the synthesizer into nvda. You stil must source your own copies of the voice libraries, which I gather you already have,given that you use it on sapi 4. It would be illegal to distribute the required libraries though.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/f98d0951-e890-a739-fec3-ddefb3f71172%40gmail.com.
Gene Asner
Oct 23, 2025, 10:14:29 PMOct 23
to nvda-...@nvaccess.org
How do you tell the add-on where the libraries are? I have no idea
where old programs that use Via Voice keep the information.
Gene
> <mailto:nvda-users%252Bma...@nvaccess.org>>.
> <mailto:nvda-users%252Buns...@nvaccess.org>>.
> >>
> >> Training: https://www.nvaccess.org/shop/
> <https://www.nvaccess.org/shop/> <https://www.nvaccess.org/shop/
> https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/CAKsDpFgTN1Tcv-sberDp9LuFc5Vy%2B38JBqr0K9%3DbuDbJtFv0fQ%40mail.gmail.com
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/CAKsDpFgTN1Tcv-sberDp9LuFc5Vy%2B38JBqr0K9%3DbuDbJtFv0fQ%40mail.gmail.com>
>
> >>
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/CAKsDpFgTN1Tcv-sberDp9LuFc5Vy%2B38JBqr0K9%3DbuDbJtFv0fQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/f98d0951-e890-a739-fec3-ddefb3f71172%40gmail.com>.
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/CABCd%2Bf_zaazFE_fn2D0Wnen%2B94XTxxG736x4%3DP1Z3vkuiv_PHA%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.
where old programs that use Via Voice keep the information.
Gene
> >> <mailto:gsa...@gmail.com <mailto:gsa...@gmail.com>>> wrote:
> >>
> >> I've been looking at the latest alphas of NVDA and they have
> a SAPI5
> >> option but no SAPI4. Is it going to be added?
> >>
> >> Gene
> >>
> >> -- ***
> >> Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor
> Code of
> >> Conduct.
> >> NV Access expects that all community members will read and
> abide by
> >> the rules set out in this document while participating in
> this group.
> >> https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md>
> >>
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md>>
> >>
> >> You can contact the group owners and moderators via
> >> nvda-user...@nvaccess.org
> <mailto:nvda-users%2Bman...@nvaccess.org>
> >> <mailto:nvda-users%2Bman...@nvaccess.org
> >>
> >> I've been looking at the latest alphas of NVDA and they have
> a SAPI5
> >> option but no SAPI4. Is it going to be added?
> >>
> >> Gene
> >>
> >> -- ***
> >> Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor
> Code of
> >> Conduct.
> >> NV Access expects that all community members will read and
> abide by
> >> the rules set out in this document while participating in
> this group.
> >> https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md>
> >>
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md>>
> >>
> >> You can contact the group owners and moderators via
> >> nvda-user...@nvaccess.org
> <mailto:nvda-users%2Bman...@nvaccess.org>
> <mailto:nvda-users%252Bma...@nvaccess.org>>.
> >> ---
> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the
> Google
> >> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails
> from it,
> >> send an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org
> <mailto:nvda-users%2Bunsu...@nvaccess.org>
> >> <mailto:nvda-users%2Bunsu...@nvaccess.org
> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the
> >> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails
> from it,
> >> send an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org
> <mailto:nvda-users%2Bunsu...@nvaccess.org>
> <mailto:nvda-users%252Buns...@nvaccess.org>>.
> >> To view this discussion visit
> >>
> >>
> https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/d6b5f8cb-2e9b-23f1-586b-76d24aa7a0fb%40gmail.com
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/d6b5f8cb-2e9b-23f1-586b-76d24aa7a0fb%40gmail.com>
>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/d6b5f8cb-2e9b-23f1-586b-76d24aa7a0fb%40gmail.com
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/d6b5f8cb-2e9b-23f1-586b-76d24aa7a0fb%40gmail.com>>.
>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >>
> >> Quentin Christensen
> >> Training and Support Manager
> >>
> >> NV Access
> >> www.nvaccess.org <http://www.nvaccess.org>
> <http://www.nvaccess.org <http://www.nvaccess.org>>
> >>
> >>
> https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/d6b5f8cb-2e9b-23f1-586b-76d24aa7a0fb%40gmail.com
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/d6b5f8cb-2e9b-23f1-586b-76d24aa7a0fb%40gmail.com>
>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/d6b5f8cb-2e9b-23f1-586b-76d24aa7a0fb%40gmail.com
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/d6b5f8cb-2e9b-23f1-586b-76d24aa7a0fb%40gmail.com>>.
>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >>
> >> Quentin Christensen
> >> Training and Support Manager
> >>
> >> NV Access
> >> www.nvaccess.org <http://www.nvaccess.org>
> >>
> >> Training: https://www.nvaccess.org/shop/
> <https://www.nvaccess.org/shop/> <https://www.nvaccess.org/shop/
> >> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md>>
> >>
> >> You can contact the group owners and moderators via
> >> nvda-user...@nvaccess.org
> <mailto:nvda-users%2Bman...@nvaccess.org>.
> >> ---
> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> >> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from
> it, send
> >> an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org
> <mailto:nvda-users%2Bunsu...@nvaccess.org>
> >> <mailto:nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md>>
> >>
> >> You can contact the group owners and moderators via
> >> nvda-user...@nvaccess.org
> <mailto:nvda-users%2Bman...@nvaccess.org>.
> >> ---
> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> >> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from
> it, send
> >> an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org
> <mailto:nvda-users%2Bunsu...@nvaccess.org>
> https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/CAKsDpFgTN1Tcv-sberDp9LuFc5Vy%2B38JBqr0K9%3DbuDbJtFv0fQ%40mail.gmail.com
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/CAKsDpFgTN1Tcv-sberDp9LuFc5Vy%2B38JBqr0K9%3DbuDbJtFv0fQ%40mail.gmail.com>
>
> >>
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/CAKsDpFgTN1Tcv-sberDp9LuFc5Vy%2B38JBqr0K9%3DbuDbJtFv0fQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/CAKsDpFgTN1Tcv-sberDp9LuFc5Vy%2B38JBqr0K9%3DbuDbJtFv0fQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>>.
>
> >>
>
> --
> ***
> Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of
> Conduct.
> NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by
> the rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
> https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
>
> >>
>
> --
> ***
> Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of
> Conduct.
> NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by
> the rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
> https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md>
>
> You can contact the group owners and moderators via
> nvda-user...@nvaccess.org
> <mailto:nvda-users%2Bman...@nvaccess.org>.
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it,
> send an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org
> <mailto:nvda-users%2Bunsu...@nvaccess.org>.
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/f98d0951-e890-a739-fec3-ddefb3f71172%40gmail.com
>
> You can contact the group owners and moderators via
> nvda-user...@nvaccess.org
> <mailto:nvda-users%2Bman...@nvaccess.org>.
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it,
> send an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org
> <mailto:nvda-users%2Bunsu...@nvaccess.org>.
> To view this discussion visit
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/f98d0951-e890-a739-fec3-ddefb3f71172%40gmail.com>.
>
> --
> ***
> Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of Conduct.
> NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by the
> rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
> https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
> --
> ***
> Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of Conduct.
> NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by the
> rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
> https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md>
>
> You can contact the group owners and moderators via
> nvda-user...@nvaccess.org.
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org
> <mailto:nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org>.
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/CABCd%2Bf_zaazFE_fn2D0Wnen%2B94XTxxG736x4%3DP1Z3vkuiv_PHA%40mail.gmail.com
>
> You can contact the group owners and moderators via
> nvda-user...@nvaccess.org.
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org
> <mailto:nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org>.
> To view this discussion visit
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/CABCd%2Bf_zaazFE_fn2D0Wnen%2B94XTxxG736x4%3DP1Z3vkuiv_PHA%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages