Disable Voice Activation when device is locked in Windows 11

This article will show you how to disable Voice Activation when device is locked in Windows 11 - using 3 different methods.

Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin
2 min read
Add as a preferred
source on Google

The Voice Activation feature in Windows 11 helps you to work with apps using your voice. The apps can respond to your spoken keywords while using the Voice Activation feature. For all the individual apps, they should have their own permission before they start listening your spoken keywords. In this guide, we will see how you can disable Voice Activation when with device is locked in Windows 11.

Disable Voice Activation when device is locked in Windows 11

Well, you can use following different methods to disable Voice Activation in Windows 11, when your devices in locked state.

Method 1: Using Settings app

1. Right click on the Start button and select Settings.

2. In the Settings app, go to Privacy & security > Voice activation.

3. When you are on the Voice activation page, expand Let apps access voice activation services.

4. Then you can turn off the Let apps use voice activation when device is locked option.

Let apps use voice activation when device is locked
Let apps use voice activation when device is locked

Method 2: Using Registry

1. Right click on the start button and select Run.

2. In Run, type regedit and click OK.

3. In the registry editor window, navigate here:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Speech_OneCore\Settings\VoiceActivation\UserPreferenceForAllApps

4. In the corresponding right pane, create a new registry DWORD named  AgentActivationOnLockScreenEnabled.

5. Set the value data for this newly created DWORD as 0.

AgentActivationOnLockScreenEnabled
AgentActivationOnLockScreenEnabled

Method 3: Using Group Policy

Note: Group Policy Editor is not available in basic Windows 11 Home edition. It is available for other editions such as Pro, Education, Enterprise.

1. Right click on the Start button and select Run.

2. In Run, type gpedit.msc and click OK.

3. In the Group Policy Editor window, navigate here:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Privacy

4. In the right pane of App Privacy folder, locate the policy setting named Let Windows apps activate with voice while the system is locked. Simply double click on this policy setting to modify its status.

Let Windows apps activate with voice while the system is locked
Let Windows apps activate with voice while the system is locked

5. You can now set it to Disabled and click Apply, followed by OK.

Disabled
Disabled

6. Close the Group Policy Editor and restart your system to make the changes  effective.

That’s it!

Share this article
https://www.kapilarya.com/disable-voice-activation-when-device-is-locked-in-windows-11

Shareable URL

Article by

Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin

Kapil holds Microsoft MVP title in Windows IT Pro expertise, 11-times in a row (2014-2025). He is 8-times Windows Insider MVP as well, and author of 'Windows Group Policy Troubleshooting' book. In 2015, Microsoft India accomplished him as 'Windows 10 Champion'. Being passionate Windows blogger, he loves to help others on fixing their system issues. Kapil has worked with official Microsoft Community Engagement Team (CET) on several community projects. You can subscribe him for news/updates and fixes for Windows.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *