How to Use Windows Narrator
Windows 10 contains several accessibility settings built in to make it easier and more inclusive for people who have difficulty using all the regular functions of their computers. Narrator is a screen-reading app for people with visual difficulties, but even people without those difficulties might find some of its features useful. Here’s how to enable and use Windows Narrator.
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What Is Windows Narrator?
Windows Narrator is a lightweight screen-reading tool. It reads aloud things on your screen—text and interface elements—makes it easier to interact with links and buttons, and even provides descriptions of images. Windows Narrator also is available in 35 languages.
How to Enable Windows Narrator
The easiest way to get to the Narrator settings is to press Windows+Ctrl+N. This opens the Settings app directly to Settings > Ease of Access > Narrator.
From here, switch the toggle switch to the “On” position enable Windows Narrator.
By default, there’s also a keyboard shortcut that enables Windows Narrator immediately—Windows+Ctrl+Enter. And if you’ve ever hit that key combo accidentally and had Narrator surprise you, you can come here to disable that shortcut.
How to Use Windows Narrator
After you enable Narrator, you’re greeted by the QuickStart window, which will give you a brief rundown of how to use Narrator and shows you with some of its functions and commands to get you started. It will pop up every time you start Narrator unless you click the box in the lower left-hand corner. Narrator also immediately begins reading the text of the window to you.