the read aloud voice changed overnight. how do I get the old voice back?

Hello, MS:

I want to say whoever made the choice of substituting the smooth "read aloud" voices for the robotic "read aloud" voices from the early 1990s ought to know this: I WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS ****. Bring back Sarah today! You have the computational power and we users have already paid for the excellent 'read aloud' voices.

Thanks for putting a smile on my face and a happy feeling in my heart, I needed a moment of joy to help make sense of this issue! I realize how important this Read Aloud is to me! LOL! Have a great day even so… It’s going to be alright! Microsoft will do their best to resolve this issue real soon I hope!

Aloha

From the Hawaiian Kingdom

It is apparently a bug that is for all devices introduced with a recent update.

Writing here does not bring it to the attention of anyone who can do anything about it.

You are addressing your fellow users here. Microsoft is aware of the problem, though.

I recommend using the Public Feedback Portal. https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/forum/fb6d67e3-301c-ec11-b6e7-0022481f8472

Then, once your feedback is posted, copy the URL and then come back here and post it so that others can comment and vote.

Be the squeaky wheel. Keep pressure on.

You can search for and vote on other feedback already posted. I would suggest a search for "read aloud."

• https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/search/fb6d67e3-301c-ec11-b6e7-0022481f8472?q=%22read+aloud%22

Here is a list of some feedback links:

• https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/5c539f58-29fc-ef11-a4de-6045bdb3947a
• https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/3ca4e898-36fd-ef11-a4dd-7c1e52ead3c1
• https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/cecdbcad-e1ee-ef11-a4dd-7c1e52c1c6b2
• https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/a3c7a9bc-85ed-ef11-a4dd-7c1e52e3e882

Feel free to vote and vent a little.

For more on using feedback, see my article: This is a user-to-user support forum. -- You can give feedback TO MICROSOFT designers and decision makers on Microsoft Word or other Microsoft Products using their feedback mechanisms, (not here). (This is a link to directions.)

Copilot recommended the following: I have not tried it yet, but I may try it in the isolated Microsoft Sandbox on Windows 11 Pro.

WPS Office Writer could be a good recommendation for users who are unhappy with the recent changes in Microsoft Word. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Familiar Interface: WPS Office Writer has a user interface that is quite similar to Microsoft Word, making the transition easier for users.
2. Compatibility: It supports a wide range of file formats, including DOCX, which ensures that users can continue working with their existing documents.
3. Features: WPS Office Writer offers many advanced features, including a "Read Aloud" function with natural-sounding voices, which might be appealing to those who miss this feature in Word.
4. Cost: WPS Office is often more affordable than Microsoft Office, which could be an added benefit.

The robotic voice is driving me insane too! Lol!

LOL. Hope Microsoft can resolve this very important issue!!!