If you are searching for the closed captioning app in the Microsoft Store, the first thing to know is that Microsoft does not currently offer one Store app with that exact official name.
Windows 11 already includes a built-in accessibility feature called Live Captions. You do not need to download it from the Microsoft Store. The Store also carries third-party tools for live transcription, translated subtitles, video captioning, and subtitle downloads.
The right option depends on whether you want to:
- Read captions for audio playing on your computer
- Caption an in-person conversation
- Translate speech into another language
- Create captions for a recorded video
- Download an existing subtitle file
- Display captions during a meeting or presentation
This guide explains the available choices, how Windows Live Captions works, and what to check before installing a captioning app.
Quick Answer: Which Closed Captioning App Should You Use?
For most Windows 11 users, start with the built-in Live Captions feature. It converts speech from your computer’s audio into text on the screen. It can also caption microphone audio when that option is enabled. Microsoft says Live Captions is available in Windows 11 version 22H2 and later. It is not a separate Microsoft Store download. Microsoft Support
Use a Microsoft Store app only if you need something beyond the built-in feature, such as dual-language subtitles, translation, a special caption window, or subtitle file downloads.
Current Microsoft Store listings include tools such as:
- Live Translator: Live Caption
- EVE: Automated Live Captions
- Live Subtitles: Real-Time Dual Subtitles
- LiveCaptions
- Zip Captions
- Captions: Download Subtitles
These are separate Store products, not the built-in Windows Live Captions feature. Their availability, pricing, features, and publisher terms can change, so review the current Store page before installing one.
Is There an Official Microsoft Closed Captioning App in the Store?
There is no single Microsoft Store product officially called “The Closed Captioning App.”
The similar names can create confusion because Windows includes captioning features in several places:
- Windows 11 has system-wide Live Captions.
- Microsoft Teams has meeting captions.
- PowerPoint can show live subtitles during presentations.
- PowerPoint can add caption files to video and audio.
- Clipchamp and Microsoft video players can display or manage captions.
- The Microsoft Store lists independent captioning and transcription apps.
If your goal is to understand speech from a video, podcast, call, or other audio playing on your Windows 11 computer, built-in Live Captions is usually the most direct place to begin.
How to Turn On Live Captions in Windows 11
You can start Windows Live Captions in several ways. Microsoft documents the following options:
- Press the Windows logo key, Ctrl, and L together.
- Open Quick Settings from the taskbar.
- Select Accessibility.
- Turn on Live Captions.
You can also open it through the Start menu:
- Select Start.
- Open All apps.
- Select Accessibility.
- Choose Live Captions.
A third route is available through Settings:
- Open Settings.
- Select Accessibility.
- Select Captions.
- Turn on the Live Captions toggle.
During the first setup, Windows asks for permission to process voice data on the device. It may also ask you to download the speech recognition files for your chosen language. Microsoft Support
Add captions for microphone audio
Live Captions does not include microphone audio by default. To caption a nearby speaker or an in-person conversation:
- Open the Live Captions window.
- Select Settings.
- Select Preferences.
- Turn on Include microphone audio.
Check your selected microphone under Settings, System, and Sound if Windows does not capture the speaker clearly. Microsoft confirms that the microphone option must be enabled separately. Microsoft Support
Change where captions appear
Windows lets you place the caption window:
- Above the screen
- Below the screen
- Overlaid on the screen
An overlaid window can be repositioned so it does not cover important controls. A window docked at the top or bottom uses reserved screen space, which can help prevent captions from blocking another app. Microsoft Windows
Can Windows Live Captions Work Without the Internet?
Microsoft says Windows Live Captions uses on-device speech recognition after the required language files have been downloaded. The transcription process therefore occurs on the device.
This is different from some third-party captioning services that may send audio to an online service. I cannot confirm how every Microsoft Store app processes audio because each publisher sets its own technology, privacy practices, and terms.
Before installing a third-party app, read its Store listing and privacy policy to determine:
- Whether it needs an internet connection
- Whether audio leaves your computer
- Whether it stores transcripts
- Whether it collects diagnostic or personal data
- Whether a subscription or in-app purchase is required
Windows Live Captions and Microsoft Store Apps Compared
Choose Windows Live Captions if you need:
- Captions for audio playing on a Windows 11 computer
- A feature already included with the operating system
- On-device speech recognition
- A movable or docked caption window
- Captions for microphone audio
- Adjustable caption appearance
Microsoft states that Live Captions requires Windows 11 version 22H2 or later.
Choose a Store app if you need:
- Side-by-side bilingual subtitles
- Translation options unavailable on your computer
- A specialized floating subtitle interface
- Transcripts that can be saved or exported
- Caption features designed for a specific workflow
- Subtitle searches or downloads
- Extra customization beyond Windows settings
The presence of an app in Microsoft Store does not mean that Microsoft created or specifically endorses it. Verify the publisher, permissions, pricing, recent updates, and privacy policy on the product page.
Closed Captioning Apps Currently Listed in Microsoft Store
The following examples represent different captioning needs. They should not be treated as one interchangeable group.
Live Translator: Live Caption
The Store description presents Live Translator as a tool that uses Windows captioning capabilities to turn speech into on-screen text and provide automatic subtitles for audio or video.
Consider it if translation is a central part of your search. Review its current supported languages, purchase terms, and system requirements on the listing.
EVE: Automated Live Captions
EVE describes itself as an automatic live subtitle tool intended to help people with hearing impairments follow speech on desktop computers.
Its accessibility focus may suit conversations, presentations, or spoken content. Confirm its current audio inputs and privacy terms before using it for confidential communication.
Live Subtitles: Real-Time Dual Subtitles
The Store describes Live Subtitles as a speech-to-text and translation app that can convert system audio or video into live subtitles. Its listing highlights dual subtitles and real-time translation.
This type of app may be more relevant to language learners and multilingual viewers than someone who only needs same-language English captions.
LiveCaptions
The Store listing says LiveCaptions can turn audio already playing on a computer into translated captions displayed above other windows.
Check the listing carefully because its name closely resembles Windows Live Captions, even though it is a separate Store product.
Zip Captions
Zip Captions is presented as a browser-based approach to turning speech into text in different contexts.
Confirm whether its browser workflow matches your intended audio source before downloading it.
Captions: Download Subtitles
This app serves a different purpose. Its Store description says it helps users find and download movie subtitles in formats such as SRT.
Choose this category when you need a prepared subtitle file for a movie or video. It is not the same as automatic live speech recognition.
Live Captions on a Copilot+ PC
Compatible Copilot+ PCs add live translation capabilities to Live Captions. Microsoft says translation is available on Copilot+ PCs running Windows 11 version 24H2 or later.
According to Microsoft’s current documentation, compatible Copilot+ PCs can translate more than 40 languages into English and 27 languages into Simplified Chinese. The available output depends on the device and its supported configuration.
A standard Windows 11 computer can still use Live Captions, but it may not offer the same live translation functions.
How to Customize Caption Appearance
Readable captions need sufficient contrast, an appropriate size, and a position that does not hide important content.
To change the Windows caption style:
- Open Start.
- Select Settings.
- Open Accessibility.
- Select Captions.
- Choose a predefined caption style.
- Select Edit if you want to customize it.
Microsoft provides a preview so you can see the selected style before relying on it.
Depending on the available Windows options, you can adjust details such as:
- Text size
- Text color
- Caption background
- Window appearance
- Transparency
- Caption effects
Choose a combination that remains easy to read over both bright and dark video scenes.
Live Captions, Closed Captions, and Subtitles Are Not Identical
These terms often overlap, but they describe different functions.
Live captions
Live captions are generated while speech is happening. Speech recognition converts the incoming audio into text. Because the text is produced automatically, errors can occur with names, accents, technical language, overlapping speakers, or noisy recordings.
Closed captions
Closed captions form an optional text track that viewers can switch on or off. They may include spoken dialogue and relevant non-speech information needed to understand the program.
Open captions
Open captions remain visible because they are embedded into the picture. Viewers cannot disable them.
Subtitles
Subtitles generally represent spoken dialogue and may translate it into another language. Depending on the service and country, people sometimes use “subtitles” and “captions” interchangeably.
A live captioning app does not automatically add a polished, synchronized closed-caption track to a finished video. Video publishing usually requires caption generation, human review, timing corrections, and export in a supported format.
Using Captions in Microsoft Teams
If you only need captions for a Teams meeting, use the caption controls inside Teams rather than installing a general Store app.
Microsoft Teams can display live captions during meetings. Teams also offers translated captions under certain licensing conditions. Microsoft currently states that live translated captions are available through Teams Premium or Microsoft 365 Copilot eligibility, with access depending on the organizer’s or participant’s license.
Check the spoken language setting when captions seem inaccurate. Teams needs the correct meeting language to process speech effectively.
Creating Captions for PowerPoint Media
PowerPoint supports caption files for media placed inside presentations. Microsoft documents WebVTT support and, in newer Mac versions, UTF-8 encoded SRT support. Feature availability varies by platform and PowerPoint version.
PowerPoint for the web can also generate captions for an embedded video in supported versions. You can review and edit the generated text for accuracy.
For a live presentation, PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 can display automatic captions or translated subtitles as the presenter speaks. This function relies on a cloud-based speech service and requires a reliable internet connection.
How to Choose the Right Captioning Option
Ask these questions before downloading anything.
What are you trying to caption?
a-Use Windows Live Captions for general computer audio.
b-Use Teams captions for a Teams meeting.
c-Use PowerPoint tools for a presentation.
d-Use a video editor or caption authoring service when preparing a permanent video track.
Do you need translation?
Basic transcription and live translation are different features. Check the input language, output language, device requirements, and subscription terms.
Must the transcript be saved?
Windows Live Captions focuses on displaying current speech. If you require an exported transcript, confirm that the selected app explicitly supports saving or exporting text.
Will you process sensitive audio?
Review how the tool handles microphone and system audio. Look for a clear privacy policy and determine whether processing happens locally or through an online service.
Do you need professional accuracy?
Automatic captions can provide quick access, but they should be reviewed before publication. Names, numbers, specialized terms, punctuation, and speaker changes often need human correction.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Downloading an app before checking Windows
Windows 11 may already provide the function you need. Press Windows logo key, Ctrl, and L to test Live Captions first.
Confusing a Store listing with a Windows feature
An app called LiveCaptions or Live Caption may be a third-party product. Check the publisher shown on the Store page.
Assuming captions and translation are the same
Some tools transcribe speech in the original language. Others translate it. A product may offer one function without the other.
Ignoring system requirements
Built-in Live Captions requires Windows 11 version 22H2 or later. Live translation requires a supported Copilot+ PC with Windows 11 version 24H2 or later.
Publishing automatic captions without review
Automatic speech recognition can misinterpret words. Review any captions that will accompany public, educational, legal, medical, or workplace material.
Forgetting to test readability
Test captions over different scenes. Text that looks clear against a dark background may disappear over a bright one.
Final Recommendation
If you searched for the closed captioning app in the Microsoft Store because you want on-screen text for Windows audio, try Windows 11 Live Captions first. It is already built into supported versions of Windows and can caption computer audio or microphone input.
Explore Microsoft Store alternatives when you need specialized features such as dual subtitles, translation, transcript export, or subtitle downloads. Read each listing carefully because similarly named apps may come from different publishers and follow different privacy, pricing, and processing policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of the Microsoft closed captioning app?
Microsoft’s built-in Windows 11 feature is called Live Captions. It is part of Windows rather than a separate Microsoft Store download. Third-party products with similar names are available in the Store.
How do I download Live Captions from Microsoft Store?
You normally do not download Windows Live Captions from the Store. On a supported Windows 11 version, press Windows logo key, Ctrl, and L, then complete the first-time language setup.
Is Windows Live Captions free?
Microsoft includes Live Captions as a Windows 11 accessibility feature. A separate fee is not listed for activating the built-in feature. Third-party Store apps may have their own prices, subscriptions, or in-app purchases.
Does Windows 10 have the same Live Captions feature?
Microsoft documents system-wide Live Captions as available in Windows 11 version 22H2 and later. Windows 10 includes settings for the appearance of closed captions, but that is not the same as the Windows 11 system-wide automatic transcription feature.
Can Live Captions hear people in the room?
Yes, if you turn on Include microphone audio in Live Captions preferences and select a working microphone. The microphone option is disabled by default.
Can I use Live Captions with any video?
Live Captions is intended to transcribe speech from audio playing through the computer, so it is not limited to one video service. Results depend on audio clarity, language support, speakers, and the installed Windows configuration.
Can a Microsoft Store app create captions for YouTube videos?
Some captioning or video editing apps may generate text for recorded videos, but capabilities differ. Confirm that the selected tool can import your video, edit timing, and export a format accepted by your publishing platform.
Which caption file does PowerPoint support?
Microsoft documents WebVTT support for captions in PowerPoint. Newer PowerPoint versions on Mac can also support UTF-8 encoded SRT files. Exact support depends on the operating system and Office version.
Are automatic captions always accurate?
No. Speech recognition can make mistakes, especially with background noise, unfamiliar names, specialized vocabulary, unclear audio, or multiple speakers. Review important captions manually.