Chapter 31: How to use Narrator in Windows 11

Narrator is an accessibility tool provided by Microsoft to help people with visual impairments use the Windows operating system. It reads text on the screen aloud and describes events, such as notifications or errors, so you can use your PC without a screen. In this chapter, we will learn how to use Narrator in Windows 11.

Starting Narrator

To activate Narrator, press Windows logo key + Ctrl + Enter. You will hear the Narrator say, "Starting Narrator." To turn off Narrator, press these keys again. You can also activate Narrator from the login screen by pressing the Windows logo key + Enter.

Configuring Narrator

To configure Narrator, press Windows logo key + Ctrl + N. This will open Narrator settings. Here, you can adjust various settings like voice speed, pitch, and volume. You can also choose which elements the Narrator reads and in what order. Additionally, you can set Narrator to read formatted text, such as bold or italics, and to flag spelling errors as you read.

Navigation with Narrator

Narrator lets you navigate your PC using the keyboard. To move the Narrator's focus, use the arrow keys. To activate the focused item, press Enter. To go back, press the left or right arrow key.

To navigate windows and applications, use the up and down arrow keys. To move between controls in a window or application, use the left and right arrow keys. To activate a control, press Enter.

Reading with the Narrator

To read text with Narrator, move the focus to the text and Narrator will read it aloud. To read from the beginning of the text, press the Windows logo key + Home. To read from the current point, press the Windows logo key + Enter.

To read character by character, press Windows logo key + C. To read word by word, press Windows logo key + W. To read line by line, press Windows logo key + L .

Using Narrator with touch

You can also use Narrator with a touch device. To activate Narrator's touch mode, press Windows logo key + Enter, then double-tap the screen. To navigate, slide your finger across the screen. Narrator will read the items you tap.

Conclusion

Narrator is a powerful tool that can help people with visual impairments use Windows 11. With practice, you can become proficient at using Narrator to navigate your PC, read text, and more. Remember, the key to becoming efficient with Narrator is practice. So don't give up if it seems difficult at first. Keep practicing and you will get better and better.