Welcome to Working with Microsoft Copilot, a training series created through a partnership between Microsoft and the National Federation of the Blind. Together, we're creating practical, accessible learning experiences that help people who are blind or have low vision understand how Copilot can support work, communication, and productivity.
This module introduces Microsoft Narrator, the built-in screen reader in Windows, and provides the foundation for using Microsoft Copilot throughout the training series. It explains why Narrator is used in the demonstrations, how it compares with other Windows screen readers, and how to configure settings such as voices, speech rate, and verbosity to suit your preferences.
It also introduces features such as Input Learning mode, Speech Recap, table navigation, verbosity settings, AI-powered image descriptions, and Screen Curtain that can improve your experience when working with Microsoft Copilot.
Common keyboard shortcuts
Use the following keyboard shortcuts to perform common Narrator tasks.
| To do this | Press |
|---|---|
| Turn the Narrator on or off | Windows logo key+Ctrl+Enter |
| Open Narrator settings | Windows logo key+Ctrl+N |
| Turn Scan mode on or off | Narrator key+Spacebar |
| Start continuous reading | Narrator key+Down arrow |
| Repeat the last spoken phrase | Narrator key+X |
| Turn Input Learning mode on or off | Narrator key+1 |
| Open the Narrator command list | Narrator key+F1 |
| Open Speech Recap | Narrator key+Alt+X |
For a complete list of Narrator keyboard shortcuts, go to Keyboard shortcuts and touch gestures for Narrator.
Helpful tips
The following tips can help you get the most out of this module:
Use Input Learning mode to explore Narrator keyboard shortcuts without activating commands.
Adjust Narrator verbosity to control how much information Narrator announces while reading text and interacting with controls.
Use Speech Recap to review recently spoken Narrator output or copy it to the clipboard when needed.
Customize your Narrator voice by selecting a voice and adjusting its speed, pitch, and volume to match your preferences.
Practice using Scan mode to navigate headings, links, tables, and other page elements before moving to the next module.
Related resources
Accessibility tools for Microsoft Copilot