Windows has a built-in function that allows the user to hear the text on the screen aloud. Here are the steps for enabling this function, as well as some directions on how to use keyboard shortcuts to read items out loud. You will need headphones or speakers in order to use this function.
Step-by-step guide
1. Enable Narrator
To enable Narrator, go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > Ease of Access > Narrator.
Or, type Narrator into the Start menu search bar. |  |
2. Microsoft Narrator
| You will see a dialog box open. This box indicates that Narrator is started and working. |  |
3. Narrator Shortcuts
| To get the most out of Narrator, use the keyboard shortcuts below. |
| Keyboard Shortcut | Function |
| Ctrl+Shift+Enter | Get information about the current item |
| Ctrl+Shift+Spacebar | Read the entire selected window |
| Ctrl+Alt+Spacebar | Read the items that are selected in the current window |
| Insert+Ctrl+G | Read a description of the items that appear next to the currently selected element |
| Ctrl | Stop Narrator from reading text |
| Insert+Q | Move the cursor backward to the beginning of any preceding text that has different formatting. For example, the cursor moves from a bold word to the beginning of a non-bold word that precedes it. |
| Insert+W | Move the cursor to the beginning of any text that has different formatting. For example, the cursor moves from a bold word to the beginning of a non-bold word that follows it. |
| Insert+E | Move the cursor back to the beginning of any text that has the same formatting. For example, the cursor moves from the middle of a bold word to the beginning of that word. |
| Insert+R | Move the cursor to the end of any text that has the same formatting. For example, the cursor moves from the middle of a bold word to the end of that word. |
Insert+F2 | Select all of the text that has the same formatting as the character at the cursor |
Insert+F3 | Read the current character |
Insert+F4 | Read the current word |
Insert+F5 | Read the current line |
Insert+F6 | Read the current paragraph |
Insert+F7 | Read the current page |
Insert+F8 | Read the current document |
4. Main Narrator Settings
In the Narrator dialog box, you are given several options to configure. In Main Narrator Settings, you may choose which text Narrator reads aloud. To hear what you type, select the Echo User's Keystrokes check box. To hear background events, such as notifications, select the Announce System Messages check box. To hear an announcement when the screen scrolls, select the Announce Scroll Notifications check box
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5. Narrator Minimized
| Also in Main Narrator Settings, you may choose whether to start Narrator minimized so it does not disturb your viewing experience. To do this, select the Start Narrator Minimized box. The next time you start Narrator, it will appear as an icon on the taskbar instead of being open on your screen. |
6. Voice Settings
In Voice Settings, you may change the Narrator voice. To select a different voice, click the voice you want to use in the Select Voice box. For a faster voice, select a number in the Set Speed list. The higher the number, the faster the voice. For a louder voice, select a number in the Set Volume list. The higher the number, the louder the voice. For a higher-pitched voice, select a number in the Set Pitch list. The higher the number, the higher the pitch. A higher-pitched voice can be easier for some people to hear.
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7. Check the Boxes
To turn off Narrator, click Control whether Narrator starts when I log on. In the window that opens, clear the Turn on Narrator and Turn on Audio Description check boxes and click Apply. |  |
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