Narrator is a screen-reading app built into Windows 10. This guide describes how to use Narrator with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update on desktop PCs, providing you with enough info to start exploring Windows, using apps, and browsing the web. It’s written for those who use a screen reader regularly.
To use this guide, choose a link from the following table of contents. When you’re done reading a chapter or appendix, select the Back button in your browser to return to this page and select another chapter. There are also links at the end of each chapter and appendix to go to the next chapter or return to this table of contents.
Following the table of contents on this page, there is a section about what's new in Narrator in the Windows 10 April 2018 Update.
Note
You can also download a Word document or PDF version of this guide (US English only). Or, you can download a previous version in braille (US English non-UEB grade 2 braille). To obtain additional languages or grades, contact the Disability Answer Desk.
Table of contents
| Chapter | What's in it |
|---|---|
| Chapter 1: Introducing Narrator | An overview of Narrator including how to start and stop it. |
| Chapter 2: Learning Narrator basics | How to get around the screen, find and open apps, change what Narrator reads, and adjust speech rate and volume. |
| Chapter 3: Using scan mode | How to use scan mode to navigate apps, email, and the web. |
| Chapter 4: Reading text | How to read and get info about text, such as font, text color, and punctuation. |
| Chapter 5: Using Narrator with touch | How to use Narrator with touch, including basic gestures. |
| Chapter 6: Customizing Narrator | How to change how Narrator starts, determine how much feedback you hear when typing, change Narrator commands, and use third-party text-to-speech (TTS) software. |
| Chapter 7: Using Narrator with braille | How to use Narrator with a refreshable braille display. |
| Appendix A: Supported languages | A list of supported languages in Narrator. |
| Appendix B: Narrator keyboard commands and touch gestures | A list of Narrator keyboard commands and touch gestures. |
| Appendix C: TTS voices | A list of the text-to-speech (TTS) voices available in Narrator. |
| Appendix D: Supported braille displays | A list of braille displays supported by Narrator. |
What's new
We've made several improvements to Narrator in the Windows 10 April 2018 Update.
A fresh look for settings
Ease of Access settings in Windows are now easier to discover, learn and use. Settings are grouped by ability (vision, hearing, and interaction), with the most frequently used settings listed first. To get directly to Narrator settings, press Windows logo key + Ctrl + N.
To learn more about customizing Narrator, see Chapter 6: Customizing Narrator.
Easier navigation in Windows apps
Heading and landmark navigation is available in some Windows 10 apps, such as the Settings app and the Weather app, with more apps coming soon.
For more info about heading and landmark navigation, see Chapter 2: Learning Narrator basics and Chapter 3: Using scan mode.
Better reading by character
When reading by character, Narrator now includes the ICAO phonetic alphabet pronunciation to help differentiate between letter such as “b” and “p” by saying words like “bravo” and “papa.”
For more info about reading text, see Chapter 4: Reading text.
New audio settings
You can now choose your audio output device with Narrator. Press Windows logo key + Ctrl + N to open Narrator settings, and then choose your device under Select Narrator audio output device.
To learn more about customizing Narrator, see Chapter 6: Customizing Narrator.
Improved responsiveness
Narrator is more responsive in the latest update. When you press any key on your keyboard, Narrator will now immediately silence speech. Narrator also no longer announces navigational keys as you type, but only announces alphanumeric keys and punctuation.
To learn more about customizing Narrator, see Chapter 6: Customizing Narrator.
Braille improvements
It’s now easier to switch between different braille drivers if you use more than one screen reader. To do this, press Windows logo key + Ctrl + N to open Narrator settings, and select an option under Change your braille display driver.
You can now also use your serial braille display before you sign in to your PC. To do this, select the Use current settings before sign-in option in Narrator settings after you’ve installed braille and selected your preferred settings.
For more info, see Chapter 7: Using Narrator with braille.
Safe mode and Narrator cursor support
Narrator now works when in safe mode. For additional assistance working in safe mode, contact the Disability Answer Desk.
The Narrator cursor and system focus are now synced by default.