Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Windows app support tools

Windows has several built-in tools to help you work with apps on your systems. These tools simplify program management and enhance productivity.

In this topic

• Navigate Programs and Features
• Uninstall a Program
• Repair a Program
• Modify the Program
• Advanced options
• App Installer
• Program Compatibility Troubleshooter
• Run
• Steps Recorder

Navigate the Programs and Features

The Programs and Features section enables you to manage installed programs.

1. Press the Windows logo  key to open Start menu.

2. In the search box, type "Control panel" and press Enter to access the Control Panel window.

3. Use the Tab key until you hear “Programs” and then press Enter.

4. Navigate using Tab to select Programs and Features, then press Enter.

5. Use the Tab key to move focus to the program list and then use the Down arrow key to navigate through the installed programs.

   Note

   You can turn built-in Windows features, like Hyper-V Manager or Sandbox, on or off from the Control Panel. 

Uninstall a Program

Uninstalling a program helps to remove unnecessary or outdated software, free up space, and keep your device more secure. 

1. Press the Windows logo  key+I to open the Settings app.

2. Navigate using Tab key until you hear "System," then press the Down arrow key to select Apps and press Enter.

3. Use the Tab key to select Installed apps and then press Enter.

4. Press Tab until you hear "search edit", then type the name of the app and press Enter.

   • Alternatively, press Tab to select the first app in the apps list, and then use the Down arrow key to select the required app from the list and press Enter to select it.

5. Press the Tab key to select More options, and press Enter to open the pop-up window.

6. From the pop-up window, use the Down arrow key to navigate to Uninstall and then press Enter. Follow the screen reader prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

Repair a Program

Repairing a program resolves issues like missing or corrupted files without requiring reinstallation. 

1. Press the Windows logo  key+I to open the Settings app.

2. Navigate using Tab key until you hear "System," then press the Down arrow key to select Apps and press Enter.

3. Use the Tab key to select Installed apps and then press Enter.

4. Press Tab until you hear "search edit", then type the name of the app and press Enter.

   • Alternatively, press Tab to select the first app in the apps list, and then use the Down arrow key to select the required app from the list and press Enter to select it.

5. Press the Tab key to select More options, and press Enter to open the pop-up window.

6. From the pop-up window, use the Down arrow key to navigate to Repair and then press Enter. 
   Follow the screen reader prompts to complete the repair process.

   Note

   Some programs do not have the repair option because this functionality depends on the design of the program's installer.

Modify the Program

Modifying a program lets you update or adjust its features, like adding, removing, or configuring its features without uninstalling the entire application. 

1. Press the Windows logo  key+I to open the Settings app.

2. Navigate using Tab key until you hear "System," then press the Down arrow key to select Apps and press Enter.

3. Use the Tab key to select Installed apps and then press Enter.

4. Press Tab until you hear "search edit", then type the name of the app and press Enter.

   • Alternatively, press Tab to select the first app in the apps list, and then use the Down arrow key to select the required app from the list and press Enter to select it.

5. Press the Tab key to select More options, and press Enter to open the pop-up window.

6. From the pop-up window, use the Down arrow key to navigate to Change and then press Enter.
   Follow the screen reader prompts to complete the reconfiguration process.

   Note

   Some programs do not have the Change option because this functionality depends on the design of the program's installer.

Advanced options

The Advanced options in the Installed apps section of Windows provides additional settings and controls for a specific app. This option includes: 

• App permissions: This setting controls what the app can access, such as your camera, microphone, or location.
• Background app permissions: This setting let you decide whether an app can run in the background or not.
• Runs at log-in: Manage whether the app runs automatically when you start your device.
• Repair: Fix issues with the app without losing your data.
• Reset: Reset the app to its default state, which may remove app data.
• Uninstall: Remove the app from your system.

App Installer

The Desktop App Installer pop-up dialog appears when you attempt to install an application. The pop-up dialog displays a message to verify whether the application is ready for installation on your system. 

The App Installer interface consists of the following information's: 

• Application name
• Application icon
• Microsoft Store signature
• Publisher name
• Version
• Source
• Capabilities
• Internet warning notification
• Install and Cancel buttons
• Launch when ready

Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

The Program Compatibility Assistant helps you run older programs on newer versions of Windows by checking for compatibility issues and offering solutions.

To run the program compatibility troubleshooter, follow these steps: 

1. Press the Windows logo  key+I to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate until you hear "System," then press Enter.
3. Press the Tab key to go to Display, then press the Down arrow key to select Troubleshoot and press Enter.
4. Use Tab to select Other troubleshooters and press Enter.
5. Navigate using the Tab key until you hear “Background Intelligent Transfer Service” and then use the Down arrow key to select Program Compatibility Troubleshooter and press Enter to select it.
6. Press the Tab key to select Run, then press Enter to open the Get Help app, which will run diagnostics and try to fix the problem automatically. 
   For more information, go to Use a screen reader to navigate Windows support tools.

Run

The Run feature is a command-line tool that allows you to quickly open programs, files, folders, and system settings by typing specific commands.  

To open the Run dialog, follow these steps: 

1. Press the Windows logo  key and type “Run” in the search box, then press Enter.

2. Once the Run dialog opens, type the command and press Enter. 
   ​​​​​​​For example, to open the System Information window, type “msinfo32” and press Enter.

   • Alternatively, press the Windows logo key+R to open the Run dialog, then type the name of the program, folder, document, or internet resource, and press Enter.

Steps Recorder

The Steps Recorder is a Windows inbox program that records screenshots of the desktop along with the annotated steps while recording the activity on the screen. The program saves the screenshots and annotated text to a file for later viewing. For more information on PSR, see Record steps to reproduce a problem. 

1. Press the Windows logo  key and type “Steps recorder” in the search box, then press Enter.

2. To start recording your screen, press the Tab key until you hear “Start record” and press Enter.

3. To stop the recording, press Tab to select Stop and Review, then press Enter.

   1. Once the recording stops, review the recorded content. Press Tab to select Save, then press Enter to open the Save As dialog.

   2. Type a file name and press the Tab key until you hear Save, then press Enter.

   3. To start a new recording, press Tab to select New Recording and then press Enter.

      Note

      Steps Recorder will be retired soon, visit Steps Recorder deprecation for more information.

Windows has several built-in tools to help you work with apps on your systems. Programs and Features for managing applications, Desktop App Installer for easy app installation, the Run Dialog for quick access, and Steps Recorder for capturing and sharing troubleshooting steps. These tools simplify program management and enhance productivity.

In this topic

• Navigate Programs and Features
• Uninstall a Program
• Repair a Program
• Advanced options
• App Installer
• Program Compatibility Troubleshooter
• Run
• Steps Recorder

Navigate the Programs and Features

The Programs and Features section enables you to manage installed programs. 

1. Press the Windows logo  key to open Start menu.

2. In the search box, type "Control panel" and press Enter to access the Control Panel window.

3. Use the Tab key until you hear “Programs” and then press Enter.

4. Navigate using Tab to select Programs and Features, then press Enter.

5. Use the Tab key to move focus to the program list and then use the Down arrow key to navigate through the installed programs.

   Note

   You can turn built-in Windows features, like Hyper-V Manager or Sandbox, on or off from the Control Panel.

Uninstall a Program

Uninstalling a program helps to remove unnecessary or outdated software, free up space, and keep your device more secure. 

1. Press the Windows logo  key+I to open the Settings app.

2. Navigate using Tab key until you hear "System," then press the Down arrow key to select Apps and press Enter.

3. Use the Tab key to select Apps & features and then press Enter.

4. Press Tab until you hear "search edit", then type the name of the app and press Enter.

   • Alternatively, press Tab to select the first app in the apps list, and then use the Down arrow key to select the required app from the list and press Enter to select it.

5. Navigate using Tab to select Uninstall and then press Enter. Follow the screen reader prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

Repair a Program

Repairing a program resolves issues like missing or corrupted files without requiring reinstallation. 

1. Press the Windows logo  key+I to open the Settings app.

2. Navigate using Tab key until you hear "System," then press the Down arrow key to select Apps and press Enter.

3. Use the Tab key to select Apps & features and then press Enter.

4. Press Tab until you hear "search edit", then type the name of the app and press Enter.

   • Alternatively, press Tab to select the first app in the apps list, and then use the Down arrow key to select the required app from the list and press Enter to select it.

5. Navigate using Tab to select Advanced options and then press Enter.

6. Press the Tab key until you hear “Repair button,” then press Enter. Follow the screen reader prompts to complete the repair process.

   Note

   Some programs do not have the repair option because this functionality depends on the design of the program's installer.

Advanced options

The Advanced options provide additional settings and controls for a specific app. This option includes: 

• App permissions: This setting controls what the app can access, such as your camera, microphone, or location.
• Background app permissions: This setting let you decide whether an app can run in the background or not.
• Runs at log-in: Manage whether the app runs automatically when you start your device.
• Repair: Fix issues with the app without losing your data.
• Reset: Reset the app to its default state, which may remove app data.
• Uninstall: Remove the app from your system.

App Installer

The Desktop App Installer pop-up dialog appears when you attempt to install an application. The pop-up dialog displays a message to verify whether the application is ready for installation on your system. 

The App Installer interface consists of the following information's: 

• Application name
• Application icon
• Microsoft Store signature
• Publisher name
• Version
• Source
• Capabilities
• Internet warning notification
• Install and Cancel buttons

Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

The Program Compatibility Assistant helps you run older programs on newer versions of Windows by checking for compatibility issues and offering solutions.

To run the program compatibility troubleshooter, follow these steps: 

1. Press the Windows logo  key+I to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate until you hear "System," then use the Down arrow key to select Update & Security and then press Enter.
3. Press the Tab key to go to Windows Update, then press the Down arrow key to select Troubleshoot and press Enter.
4. Use Tab to select Additional troubleshooters and press Enter.
5. Navigate using the Tab key until you hear “Bluetooth” and then use the Down arrow key to select Program Compatibility Troubleshooter and press Enter to select it.
6. Press the Tab key to select Run the troubleshooter, then press Enter to run the diagnostics and try to fix the problem automatically.

Run

The Run feature is a command-line tool that allows you to quickly open programs, files, folders, and system settings by typing specific commands.  

To open the Run dialog, follow these steps: 

1. Press the Windows logo  key and type “Run” in the search box, then press Enter.

2. Once the Run dialog opens, type the command and press Enter.

   1. For example, to open the System Information window, type “msinfo32” and press Enter.

• Alternatively, press the Windows logo key+R to open the Run dialog, then type the name of the program, folder, document, or internet resource, and press Enter.

Steps Recorder

The Steps recorder enables you to record a series of computer actions. It captures each step in detail, including mouse clicks, keystrokes, and screenshots of each action.  

1. Press the Windows logo  key and type “Steps recorder” in the search box, then press Enter.

2. To start recording your screen, press the Tab key until you hear “Start record” and press Enter.

3. To pause the recording, press the Tab key until you hear “Pause record” and press Enter.

4. To stop the recording, press Tab to select Stop Record, then press Enter.

   1. Once the recording stops, review the recorded content. Press Tab to select Save, then press Enter to open the Save As dialog.
   2. Type a file name and press the Tab key until you hear Save, then press Enter.
   3. To start a new recording, press Tab to select New Recording and then press Enter.

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