Use a screen reader to navigate sign in options in Windows

This article is for people who use a screen reader program such as Windows Narrator, JAWS, or NVDA with Windows tools or features and Microsoft 365 products. This article is part of the Accessibility help & learning content set where you can find more accessibility information on our apps. For general help, visit Microsoft Support.

Windows offers several sign in options to enhance both security and convenience, including facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, and PIN with Windows Hello, as well as security keys and passwords. This complete guide will help you in navigating, setting up, and managing Windows sign-in methods using your keyboard and a screen reader. 

Note

To learn more about screen readers, go to How screen readers work with Microsoft 365.

In this topic

Windows provides several options to help you access your device securely. Follow the instructions to complete the step up.

  • Facial Recognition (Windows Hello): This feature uses facial recognition technology to authenticate the user and unlock the device.
  • Fingerprint Recognition (Windows Hello): This method leverages a fingerprint scanner to verify your identity and grant access to your Windows device. You can add multiple fingerprints for easy access or delete them if not required.
  • PIN (Windows Hello): A PIN (Personal Identification Number) is a shorter, numeric passcode that provides a quick and secure way to access your device.
  • Security key: A security key is a physical device, such as a USB or NFC key that provides an additional layer of security through two-factor authentication
  • Password: The password sign in method is the most used method in Windows.

Steps to access the sign in options

  1. Press Windows logo WindowsLogo key +I to open the Settings app.
  2. Use the Down arrow key to browse the categories, and press Enter when you hear "Accounts."
  3. Press Tab key until you hear "Your info," then use the Down arrow key to select "Sign-in options," and press Enter.
  4. Use Tab and arrow keys to navigate through the options.

Setup the sign in options

Windows provides multiple sign-in options, including facial recognition, fingerprint, PIN, security key, and password. Setting these up ensures secure and convenient access. Follow these steps to configure each method.

  1. Set up the Facial recognition

  2. Set up the Fingerprint recognition

  3. Set up the PIN

  4. Set up the Security key

    1. Navigate to the Sign-in options and press Down arrow key until you hear “Security key.”
    2. Press Tab key to select the Show more settings button, and press Enter to expand it.
    3. To setup and sign in to apps with a security key, navigate to the Manage button and press Enter.
    4. Insert your security key and touch it to activate.
    5. Press Tab key until you hear “Change button,” then type your old PIN followed by your new PIN twice.
    6. Navigate to the Save changes button, then press Enter to complete the Windows security key setup.
      ​​​​​​​For more information, go to Use Windows Hello with a screen reader.

  5. Set up the Password

    1. Navigate to the Sign-in options and press the Down arrow key until you hear “Password.”

    2. Press Tab key to select the Show more settings button, and press Enter to expand it.

    3. Press Tab key until you hear “Add button,” then press Enter.

      Note

      : If a password has already been set up, the user will see a Change button and can follow the same steps to change their password.

    4. Enter your new password, confirm it, and type a hint, then use Tab key to navigate to the Next button and press Enter.

    5. Enter your new password, confirm it, and type a hint, then use Tab key to navigate to the Next button and press Enter.

    6. To complete the set up, press Tab to select Finish button and press Enter.

For more information, go to Change or reset your password - Microsoft Support and Reset a forgotten Microsoft account password.

You can customize features that determine when Windows prompts you to sign in again and automatically locks your device when you're away. Here's how to manage the following settings:

  1. If you’ve been away, when should Windows require you to sign in again?

    1. Press Tab key to select the dropdown menu and press Enter.

    2. Use Down arrow key to select an option from the dropdown menu, then press Enter.

      Note

      The dropdown for this option may be disabled because of the security policy on your device. The Tab key will bypass the menu.

  2. Dynamic Lock (Automatically lock your device when you're away

    1. Press Tab key until you hear “Dynamic lock group, show more settings button,” then press Enter.
    2. Use Tab key to reach the checkbox "Allow Windows to lock your device automatically when you're away," then press Spacebar to enable it.

  3. Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in

    • Use Tab key to navigate to the toggle switch for the option and press the Spacebar to turn it on or off.

  4. Show my account details, such as my email address, on the sign-in screen

    • Use Tab key to navigate to the respective toggle switch and press Spacebar to turn it on or off.

  5. Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up after an update

    • Use Tab key to reach the toggle switch and press Spacebar to turn it on or off.

Note

Your account policy may disable the toggle switch for this option. The Tab key will bypass the switch.

See also

Use Windows Hello with a screen reader

Windows Hello common issues and troubleshooting tips 

Why didn't Windows Hello facial recognition recognize me?  

Change or reset your PIN 

Technical support for customers with disabilities

Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.

If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.