Applies ToWindows 10

Our products and services are designed for people of all abilities. Windows 10 has many built-in accessibility tools for people who are blind, color blind, or have low vision.

This topic tells you how to have Magnifier read text on your screen aloud in addition to making it appear larger. 

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Turn on Magnifier 

To quickly turn on Magnifier, press the Windows logo key+Plus sign (+). To turn off Magnifier, press the Windows logo key+Esc. 

If you prefer using a mouse, select Start  Settings   Ease of Access   Magnifier   Turn on Magnifier

Start reading

  • To start reading from the current cursor location, press Ctrl + Alt + Enter. The same shortcut also pauses and resumes reading.  

  • Another way to start reading is to press and hold Ctrl + Alt and click the left mouse button where you want to start.

To stop reading, press any key. 

Tip: To read only the next sentence, press Ctrl+Alt+K. To read only the previous sentence, press Ctrl+Alt+H. 

Change the reading modifier key

The modifier key is used to start all shortcuts that concern Magnifier reading. The default modifier key for reading shortcuts is Ctrl + Alt.  If you want to, you can change this in the Magnifier settings view. 

Note: If you are also using Narrator, do not select the same key you are using for the screen reader shortcuts. By default, Magnifier and Narrator use different keys. 

Change the reading modifier key with a mouse 

  1. Select Start  Settings   Ease of Access Magnifier 

  1. Open the Choose a modifier key drop-down menu and select the key option you want to use. 

Change the reading modifier key with a keyboard and Narrator 

  1. Press the Windows logo key  Ctrl +to open the Magnifier settings view. 

  1. Press the Tab key until you hear “Reading, choose a modifier key” followed by the currently selected option. 

  1. Press Enter to open the menu, use the Up and Down arrow keys to find the key option you want to use, and press Enter to select it and close the menu. 

Magnifier reading commands

Press this key

To do this

Windows logo key  + Plus sign (+)

Turn Magnifier on

Start, pause, and resume reading

Modifier key + Enter

Stop reading

Any key

Read from mouse pointer

Modifier key + Left Mouse click

Read previous sentence

Modifier key + H

Read next sentence

Modifier key + K

See also

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