Windows

How to change the caption style on Windows 11

Photo of Abu Bakar Saadat

By

Author · View profile

Updated 24 October 2026 · Checked October 2026

Device: Microsoft Cloud PC · Software: Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457)

Publisher: Saadat Rafiq

2 min read4 steps

Screenshot from the guide: How to change the caption style on Windows 11

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-change-the-caption-style-on-windows-11/ · Checked October 2026 · Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC

In this guide
  1. Open the Captions settings
  2. Open Caption style
  3. Choose a style
  4. Check the preview
  5. If you do not see this option
  6. If this does not work
  7. Good to know
  8. Sources
Quick answer

Open Settings, Accessibility, Captions and choose a Caption style: Default, White on black, Small caps, Large text or Yellow on blue. The Theme preview shows the result. The style applies to live captions and to captions in apps that follow it.

4 of 4 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device
Windows
Shown on
Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC
App
Settings
Path
Settings › Accessibility › Captions › Caption style
Real screenshots
4 of 4 steps
Checked
October 2026
Sources
1 official, linked below

Step by step

Take this guide with you

Print it, or pick "Save as PDF" in the print window.

Steps
Also include
  1. Windows screenshot: Open the Captions settings
    Zoomed in on the setting. Tap to see the whole screenTap the picture to see it full size

    Open the Captions settings

    Press Windows + I, search for captions and click Captions in the results, or click Accessibility, then Captions.

  2. Windows screenshot: Open Caption style
    Zoomed in on the setting. Tap to see the whole screenTap the picture to see it full size

    Open Caption style

    The page shows a Theme preview at the top. Caption style is at the bottom.

  3. Windows screenshot: Choose a style
    Zoomed in on the setting. Tap to see the whole screenTap the picture to see it full size

    Choose a style

    Pick one of the five styles.

  4. Windows screenshot: Check the preview
    Zoomed in on the setting. Tap to see the whole screenTap the picture to see it full size

    Check the preview

    With Yellow on blue, the preview caption is yellow on a blue box. We set ours back to Default.

If you do not see this option

If this does not work

  • Default looks different from what you expect Microsoft says the Default style uses colours that suit your light or dark mode, set in Settings, Personalization, Colors, Choose your mode. Source: Use live captions to better understand audio
  • Live captions shows nothing yet Microsoft says the first time it asks for consent and downloads language files. If captions still do not appear, it suggests closing unused apps. Source: Use live captions to better understand audio

About this guide

Captions that are too small or hard to read against a video can be changed in one place.

Good to know

Live captions on the same page turns speech from any app into captions; Windows + Ctrl + L switches them on. The first time, it downloads language files.

An Edit button appears for custom styles, where you choose your own font, size and colours.

In short: Settings, Accessibility, Captions, Caption style.

Sources

Links checked in October 2026. Menus and features can change after software updates. These steps match the version named at the top.

📷 Camera Lab: the same 6 scenes photographed with 11 phones, side by side.

Did this guide work for you?