Installing Microsoft Agent
 
 
  This page explains how you can setup MS Agent & components on your system.


Note: Even after Installing all the components from this page you will not see any entries in your start menu, This is because MS Agent is a technology (SDK) and not a standard windows application that you can run by D-clicking. Think of MS Agent as a car which can not start itself, for starting & running you will need its key & a driver. The same case applies to MS Agent you will need some HTML Documents, Office documents or a windows application specifically programmed to utilize the MS Agent Technology. Applications & documents will be its key & windows will be its driver. Now ready for a long drive.


System Requirement for running MS Agent.
  • A PC Running Windows® 95, 98, NT 4.0, 2000, Me, XP
  • Internet Explorer version 4.0 or later
  • A Pentium 133-MHz PC or faster
  • At least 16 MB of RAM
  • At least 1 MB free disk space for agent core components
  • An additional 1+ MB for each character you install. (varies)

    Optional requirements.
  • An additional 32 KB for each language component (dll).
  • An additional 16 MB for MS Speech Recognition Engine.
  • An additional 1 MB for MS Speech Control Panel.
  • Sound card & Speakers for voice output.
  • A good quality mic (Close-talk will be better).

STEP 1
Microsoft Agent 2.0 Core Components (395 KB)

Important Info: This Component is only required if you are running windows 95, 98 or NT. This Component is already included with Windows 2000, Me & XP. Also if have Microsoft Office 2000/XP then you will not need this.
Download the above MSAgent.exe setup program and run it to install the core components. You may delete the setup program after installing. This ActiveX & files are the MS Agent Technology core compoment.


STEP 2
Lernout & Hauspie TruVoice TTS Engine (US English)(1MB).
Important Info: This Component is already included with Windows 2000 & XP. Some harware vendors may have included this in ME. To detect whether this Engine is installed on you system check Add/Remove program list for entry named Lernout & Hauspie TruVoice American English TTS Engine. Also if you are running Windows XP you will not hear agent saying. To reslove this problem, see the faq section of site.
The Lernout & Hauspie TruVoice Text-to-Speech Engine provides speech output capabilities for Microsoft Agent so you can hear what the characters are saying. Download the above tv_enua.exe setup program and run it to install the TTS Engine. You may delete the setup program after installing. For installing TTS engine in your own language click here

Lernout & Hauspie TruVoice TTS Engine (Russian)(1MB)
The Lernout & Hauspie TruVoice Text-to-Speech Engine provides speech output capabilities for Microsoft Agent so you can hear what the characters are saying. Download the above lhttsrur.exe setup program and run it to install the TTS Engine. You may delete the setup program after installing. For installing TTS engine in your own language click here


STEP 3
Microsoft Speech Recognition Engine version 4.0 (6MB)
This step is optional.
The Microsoft Speech Recognition Engine provides speech input capabilities for Microsoft Agent. This allows you to speak to characters through a microphone.  However, Microsoft Agent must be specifically programmed to understand and interact with what you are saying. Microsoft Agent does not support dictation.
Download the above actcnc.exe setup program and run it to install the Speech Recognition Engine. You may delete the setup program after installing. To detect whether this Engine is installed on you system check Add/Remove program list for entry named Microsoft Speech Recognition Engine 4.0 (English)


STEP 4
Microsoft Speech Control Panel (927 KB)
This step is optional.
The Speech Control Panel will add an icon to your Control Panel to enable you to list the compatible speech recognition and text-to-speech engines installed on your system and to train the speech recognition engine to support your voice.


STEP 5
Download some Microsoft Agent Characters
Characters are animated personalities that live on your desktop and do whatever they are programmed to do. All characters must be copied to your C:\WINDOWS\MSAGENT\CHARS folder for windows 95, 98, 2000, ME & XP or To C:\WINNT\MSAGENT\CHARS folder for Window NT.


Congratulation your Operating System is Now Agent-Ready
Happy Agenting!!!