How to Reduce Microphone background noise using Voice Focus on Windows 11

Well, be prepared to learn how to reduce microphone background noise with the help of Voice Focus on Windows 11 because, quite literally, we've got you covered here.

With the introduction of a new feature called Voice Focus, Windows 11 enables you to isolate your microphone sound most easily and avoid ambient noise. The feature will not be available to any user on Windows 11, version 22H2, or later. To use this feature, the device should come with support for a Neighborhood Processing Unit, and the hardware manufacturer needs to install a particular driver known as Windows Studio Effect.

To enhance audio, Windows 11's Voice Focus utilizes artificial intelligence to reduce reverberation, background noise, and echo. That is to say, should one be in a loud area or an area where echoes could occur, the sound will be more distinct and clearer to comprehend.

Minimise Microphone Background Noise with Voice Focus on Windows 11

On Windows 11, enabling the Voice Focus feature is quite easy via the operating system settings. The steps are as follows:

To open Windows Settings, press the Windows key plus the "I" key. 

Next, go into System > Sound. 

Scroll down to find the Input section in the Sound settings. 

You will see your microphone array there. Click on it to open its options. 

Next, find the section labeled "Audio Enhancements" and click on it.

All you need to do is now flip a switch to enable the Voice Focus feature.

Other ways to reduce Background Noise in Windows

Processing and the manufacturer introduce constraints that make most windows 11 machines incapable of voice focus. There are, however, quite a reasonable number of applications that will help you eliminate ambient noise from your microphone. 

1) The NoiseGator Mobile App

NoiseGator is a free, open-source noise gate application that can cut out hiss and background noise on your microphone. It is minimalistic and easy to use. The tool is free to use. With NoiseGator, you will be able to monitor in real time the level of any sound. Normally, if the average volume level is above the threshold level, the sound passes through. It cuts the audio and closes the gate when the average level falls below the threshold, though. It also works perfectly despite not using recent technologies and is widely used.

2] Use of Krisp App

Krisp is, arguably, the most well-known and effective among the noise-cancellation applications using AI. As this tool doesn't depend on the volume of the output to muffle it, this is different from the concept that Noisegator carries. In fact, Krisp is much more effective in its use of AI to separate background and foreground noises. Not just that, it even records the meetings automatically, takes notes for you, and can transcribe them.

Free plan allows limited access to other services and provides 60 minutes of AI noise reduction for individuals and small teams. 

3. Groups With Zoom's Built-In Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is already provided in most popular email clients such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom. It also does not cost a thing in these capabilities for any user of the apps. Noise suppression features are not difficult to enable. What is needed is finding the noise suppression options next to the Microphone settings. Just go to settings, then audio settings. You will find here the noise reduction and cancellation settings, though they may vary with different apps.

This concludes our guide on how to reduce microphone background noise using voice focus on Windows 11, hoping that it has been of the greatest help possible.