Magnifier can read text on the screen out loud, so you can rest your eyes or follow along by ear. Reading controls are available on the Magnifier toolbar (the play button) and with the keyboard.
The reading commands use a modifier key, which is Ctrl+Alt by default. You can change it with the Reading shortcut setting (see Change the reading voice, speed, and shortcut).
| Action | Command |
|---|---|
| Start, pause, or resume reading | Modifier key+Enter |
| Start reading from a specific spot | Modifier key+left‑click the text |
| Read the previous sentence | Modifier key+H |
| Read the next sentence | Modifier key+K |
| Stop reading | Press any key |
You can also start reading from the toolbar: Select the Play button, or click where you want to begin and select Read from here.
Tip for Narrator users: If Narrator is already reading to you, you may not need Magnifier's reading. Using both at the same time can mean hearing two voices at once. Magnifier's reading is best when you want text read aloud on demand without running a full screen reader.
Change the reading voice, speed, and shortcut
From the Magnifier toolbar (quickest): Select the Settings button (the gear icon) on the Magnifier toolbar. In the menu that opens:
- Drag the Speed slider to make reading faster or slower.
- Choose a different voice from the Voice dropdown.
From Settings: Select Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier (or press Windows 
key+Ctrl+M). Under Reading, you can:
- Choose the voice Magnifier uses to read.
- Change the Reading shortcut (the modifier key used for the reading commands above).
With Narrator and a keyboard:
- Press Windows
key + Ctrl+M to open the Magnifier settings.
- Press Tab until you hear the voice option under Reading. Press Alt+Down arrow, choose a voice with the Up or Down arrow key, then press Enter.
- Press Tab until you hear "Reading shortcut," then choose a new modifier key the same way.
Add more voices, including natural voices
If the voice you want isn't listed, you can download more. Adding voices is only available in Settings:
- Select Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier (or press Windows
key+Ctrl+M).
- Under Reading, select the Add voices button. A window opens with a list of voices you can install.
- Choose a language, preview the voices, and select the ones you want. The voices you pick download and install on your device.
With Narrator and a keyboard:
- Press Windows
key+Ctrl+M to open the Magnifier settings.
- Press Tab until you hear "Add voices, button," then press Enter.
- In the window that opens, press Tab and the arrow keys to move through the voices, and press Spacebar to select the ones you want to install.
Along with the standard voices, you can add Natural and Natural HD voices. These sound more human and can be easier to listen to for longer reading. Select a natural voice to hear a preview. You need an internet connection to preview and download voices.
For the full list of languages and voices, see Appendix A: Supported languages and voices.
Previous chapter: Chapter 5: Making content clearer
Next chapter: Chapter 7: Using Magnifier with touch
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