Use a screen reader to explore and navigate the Windows desktop

The Windows desktop is the starting point for accessing apps, files, and quick settings on your computer. The desktop includes a taskbar, which offers direct access to the Start menu, pinned and active apps, notifications, and the system tray for essential tools like the clock and network status. This guide explains how to explore the Windows desktop and use features like Quick Actions, Widgets, Nearby Share, and more, with the help of a screen reader.

In this topic

• Overview of the Windows desktop
• Navigate the Windows desktop
• Navigate Quick actions
• Explore Desktop spotlight
• Interact with Widgets
• Use Nearby Share
• Manage external display and projection settings
• Access and use screen clipping

Overview of the Windows desktop

The Windows desktop is your workspace for apps, files, and tools. Here are the main components of Windows desktop:

1. Desktop background: This is the area behind your app icons. You can personalize this with your preferred image or slideshow.
2. Icons: These are the shortcuts to apps, files, or folders located on the desktop. These allow for quick access to frequently used items.
3. Taskbar: This is a horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen containing the Start menu, pinned apps, active app previews, and the system tray (for notifications, clock, and settings).
4. Quick actions: This has set of shortcuts to different settings, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Flight mode, Accessibility, volume, and more.

Navigate the Windows desktop

The Windows desktop allows you to organize and access frequently used apps, files, and settings directly. Follow the below instructions to navigate the Windows desktop.

1. Press the Windows logo key +D to minimize all open windows and move the focus to the desktop.
2. Use the arrow keys to navigate and move focus across icons on the desktop, and press Enter to open.
3. To open the context menu for an item, press Shift+F10. Use the arrow keys to navigate the menu, and press Enter to select an option.

Navigate Quick actions

Quick actions provide fast access to frequently used settings, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Accessibility, volume, brightness, and more. These settings are part of the Quick settings menu, which can be opened from the taskbar or using a keyboard shortcut.

1. To access the Quick settings pane, press the Windows logo key+A. You hear: “Quick settings pane.”
2. Press Tab and arrow keys to cycle through the available settings.
3. For sliders like brightness or volume, use the Right or Left arrow key to adjust values.
4. To Toggle a setting, navigate to the desired settings, then press Enter to turn them on or off. You hear confirmation, such as “Wi-Fi button on.”
5. If an action has additional settings, press the Spacebar or Enter to open the desired settings.

For more information, refer to Find your notifications and quick settings / actions.

Explore Desktop spotlight

Desktop spotlight showcases stunning background images on your desktop and lock screen, along with informative captions about the image or its location. This provides a visually engaging and dynamic experience for users, updated daily.

1. To enable Desktop spotlight, press the Windows logo key, then type “background image settings,” and press Enter.
2. Press Tab key until you hear “Personalize your background combo box,” then press Enter.
3. Use the Up or Down arrow key to select Windows spotlight, then press Enter.

Interact with widgets

Widgets provide quick access to personalized information such as weather updates, news headlines, calendar events, and tasks. They are displayed in a dedicated Widgets board, allowing you to stay updated.

1. To open Widgets, press the Windows logo key+W.

2. Use Tab and arrow keys to move between widgets, and press Enter to expand or open it.

3. To customize widgets, press Tab key until you hear “More options button,” then press Enter.

   • Press the Up or Down arrow key to select the Customize menu item and press Enter.
   • Customize the widget as per your preferences and press Esc to close it.

4. To personalize or discover new widgets, press Tab key until you hear “Settings button,” then press Enter. Follow your screen reader instructions to update the widgets.

For more information, refer to Stay up to date with widgets.

Use Nearby sharing

Nearby sharing is a feature that allows you to quickly send files, links, and other content to nearby devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It's a convenient way to transfer items without the need for cables or external drives.

1. To Enable nearby sharing, press the Windows logo key +A to open the Quick settings pane.
2. Use Tab key to select Wi-Fi settings, then press Right arrow key until you hear “Nearby sharing,” and press Enter to toggle it on.
3. To share a file, open File Explorer, then navigate to the file you want to share.
4. Press Shift+F10 to open the context menu, then use the Up or Down arrow key until you hear “Share menu item,” then press Enter.
5. Use Tab to navigate the list of available devices, and press Enter on the desired device to send the file.

For more information, refer to Share things with nearby devices in Windows.

Manage external display and projection settings

External displays and projection settings allows you to connect your PC to additional screens, such as monitors, TVs, or projectors. This feature is essential for extending your workspace, duplicating your display, or presenting on a larger screen.

1. To Open projection options, press the Windows logo key +P.
2. To choose a projection mode, use the Up or Down arrow key to select a mode such as “PC screen only”, “Duplicate", "Extend” or “Second screen only.” Press Enter to confirm your selection.

Access and use screen clipping

Screen clipping allows you to capture specific areas of your screen to save or share. It’s a quick way to take partial screenshots, ideal for highlighting specific content without capturing the entire screen.

1. To start a screen clipping, press the Windows logo key+Shift+S.
2. Press Tab key until you hear “Snipping mode dropdown menu,” the press Enter.
3. Press the Down arrow key to choose a mode, such as “Rectangular snip,” then press Enter.
4. Use your mouse and keyboard to define the snip area. After capturing, you hear: “Screenshot copied to clipboard.”
5. To save the snip, open the Snipping Tool or paste the snip into an app using Ctrl+V, then press Ctrl+S to save it.

For more information, refer to Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots.

The Windows desktop is the starting point for accessing apps, files, and quick settings on your computer. The desktop includes a taskbar, which offers direct access to the Start menu, pinned and active apps, notifications, and the system tray for essential tools like the clock and network status. This guide explains how to explore the Windows desktop and use features like Quick Actions, Widgets, Nearby Share, and more, with the help of a screen reader.

In this topic

• Overview of the Windows desktop
• Navigate the Windows desktop
• Navigate Quick actions
• Explore Desktop spotlight
• Understand soft landing
• Use Nearby sharing
• Manage external display and projection settings
• Access and use screen clipping

Overview of the Windows desktop

The Windows desktop is your workspace for apps, files, and tools. Here are the main components of the Windows desktop:

1. Desktop Background: This is the area behind your app icons. You can personalize this with your preferred image or slideshow.
2. Icons: These are the shortcuts to apps, files, or folders located on the desktop. These allow for quick access to frequently used items.
3. Taskbar: This is a horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen containing the Start menu, pinned apps, active app previews, and the system tray (for notifications, clock, and settings).
4. Quick Actions: This has set of shortcuts to different settings, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Flight mode, volume, and more.

Navigate the Windows desktop

The Windows desktop allows you to organize and access frequently used apps, files, and settings directly. Follow the below instructions to navigate the Windows desktop.

1. Press the Windows logo key+D to minimize all open windows and move the focus to the desktop.
2. Use the arrow keys to navigate and move focus across icons on the desktop, and press Enter to open.
3. To open the context menu for an item, press Shift+F10. Use the Up or Down arrow key to navigate the menu, and press Enter to select an option.

Navigate Quick actions

Quick actions provide fast access to frequently used settings such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Night Light, and volume. These settings are part of the Quick settings menu, which can be opened from the taskbar or using a keyboard shortcut.

1. Press the Windows logo key+A to open the Action center window.
2. Use Tab and arrow keys to explore Quick actions such as Wi-Fi, Flight mode, and Battery saver.
3. To toggle a setting, navigate to the desired settings, and press Enter. You hear confirmation, such as "Wi-Fi turned on."
4. For adjustable options like brightness or volume, use the Right or Left arrow key to increase or decrease values.

For more information, refer to Find your notifications and quick settings / actions.

Explore Desktop spotlight

Desktop spotlight showcases stunning background images on your desktop and lock screen, along with informative captions about the image or its location. This provides a visually engaging and dynamic experience for users, updated daily.

1. Press the Windows logo  key, type "Background settings," and press Enter.
2. Press Tab key until you hear “Background combo box,” then press Enter.
3. Use the Up or Down arrow key to select Windows spotlight, then press Enter.

Understand soft landing

Soft landing is a Windows accessibility feature that ensures a smooth transition of focus when you close an app or switch tasks. Instead of losing focus or returning to an arbitrary location, your focus automatically moves to a logical point, such as the previous window or the desktop.

Press Alt+F4 to close the current app. Focus automatically moves to the previously active window or the desktop.

Use Nearby sharing

Nearby sharing is a feature that allows you to quickly send files, links, and other content to nearby devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It's a convenient way to transfer items without the need for cables or external drives.

1. To enable Nearby sharing, press the Windows logo key+A to open the Action center window.
2. Use Tab key to select Location button, then press Right arrow key until you hear “Nearby sharing,” and press Enter to toggle it on.
3. To share a file, open File Explorer, then navigate to the file you want to share.
4. Press Shift+F10 to open the context menu, then use the arrow keys until you hear “Share menu item,” then press Enter.
5. Use Tab to navigate the list of available devices, and press Enter on the desired device to send the file.

Manage external display and projection settings

Windows 10 makes it easy to connect your PC to external monitors, TVs, or projectors, whether you're extending your workspace or giving a presentation.

1. Press the Windows logo key+P to open the projection settings.
2. Use the arrow keys to select a projection mode, such as Duplicate, Extend, or Second screen only, and press Enter.

Access and use screen clipping

Screen clipping allows you to capture specific areas of your screen to save or share. It’s a quick way to take partial screenshots, ideal for highlighting specific content without capturing the entire screen.

1. To start a screen clipping, press the Windows logo key+Shift+S.
2. Press Tab key until you hear “Snipping mode dropdown menu,” then press Enter.
3. Press Down arrow key to choose a mode, such as “Rectangular snip,” then press Enter.
4. Use the mouse and keyboard to define the snip area. After capturing, you hear: “Screenshot copied to clipboard.”
5. To save the snip, open the Snipping Tool or paste the snip into an app using Ctrl+V, then press Ctrl+S to save it.

For more information, refer to Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots.