How to Turn On or Off Narrator in Windows 10


Narrator is a screen-reading app built into Windows 10.

Narrator lets you use your PC without a display or mouse to complete common tasks if you’re blind or have low vision. It reads and interacts with things on the screen, like text and buttons. Use Narrator to read and write email, browse the internet, and work with documents.

Specific commands let you navigate Windows, the web, and apps, as well as get info about the area of the PC you're in. Navigation is available using headings, links, landmarks, and more. You can read text (including punctuation) by page, paragraph, line, word, and character as well as determine characteristics like font and text color. Efficiently review tables with row and column navigation.

Narrator also has a navigation and reading mode called Scan Mode. Use it to get around Windows 10 using just the up and down arrows on your keyboard. You can also use a braille display to navigate your PC and read text.

Finally, you can personalize Narrator's voice to adjust the speaking rate, pitch, and volume as well as install some third-party text-to-speech voices.

Starting with Windows 10 build 17093, you can now use Narrator when in safe mode. Note: It’s recommended for Narrator users to enter safe mode via msconfig.exe. On some devices you may need to use USB headphones to hear audio in safe mode.

This tutorial will show you different ways to turn on or off Narrator for your account in Windows 10.


 CONTENTS:






OPTION ONE

To Turn On or Off Narrator on Sign-in Screen



This option is only available starting with Windows 10 build 17704.

1. While on the sign-in screen, click/tap on the Ease of Access button. (see screenshot below)

2. You can now toggle on or off Narrator.

Turn On or Off Narrator in Windows 10-ease_of_access_on_sign-in_screen.jpg






OPTION TWO

To Turn On or Off Narrator using Keyboard Shortcut


See also: How to Enable or Disable Win+Ctrl+Enter Shortcut Key to Turn Narrator On or Off in Windows 10

1. Press the Win + Ctrl + Enter keys to toggle Narrator on (start) and off (exit).

OR

2. Press the Caps lock + Esc keys to turn off (exit) Narrator.






OPTION THREE

To Turn On or Off Narrator in Settings


1. Open Settings, and click/tap on the Ease of Access icon.

You can also press the Win+Ctrl+N keys to directly open to Narrator settings.

2. Click/tap on Narrator on the left side, and turn on or off (default) Narrator on the right side for what you want. (see screenshot below)

3. You can now close Settings if you like.

Turn On or Off Narrator in Windows 10-turn_on_or_off_narrator_in_settings.jpg






OPTION FOUR

To Turn On or Off Narrator in Control Panel



This option doesn't always work well for turning off Narrator.

1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Ease of Access Center icon.

2. Click/tap on the Use the computer without a display link. (see screenshot below)

Turn On or Off Narrator in Windows 10-turn_on_or_off_narrator_in_control_panel-1.jpg

3. Check or uncheck (default) Turn on Narrator for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Turn On or Off Narrator in Windows 10-turn_on_or_off_narrator_in_control_panel-2.jpg

4. When finished, you can close the Control Panel if you like.






OPTION FIVE

To Start Narrator in Control Panel


1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Ease of Access Center icon.

2. Click/tap on Start Narrator at the top, and close the Control Panel. (see screenshot below)

Turn On or Off Narrator in Windows 10-start_narrator_control_panel.jpg






OPTION SIX

To Turn Off Narrator in Task Manager


1. Open Task Manager (more details view), and do step 2 or step 3 below for how you would like to end the Narrator task.


2. Click/tap on the Processes tab, select Screen Reader, click/tap on the End task button, and close Task Manager. (see screenshot below)

Turn On or Off Narrator in Windows 10-narrator_task_manager-1.png

3. Click/tap on the Details tab, select Narrator.exe, click/tap on the End task button, click/tap on End process when prompted to confirm, and close Task Manager. (see screenshots below)

Turn On or Off Narrator in Windows 10-narrator_task_manager-2.png
Turn On or Off Narrator in Windows 10-narrator_task_manager-3.png






OPTION SEVEN

To Turn Off Narrator in Narrator Jump List


1. Right click or press and hold on the Narrator icon on the taskbar, and click/tap on Turn off Narrator. (see screenshot below)

Turn On or Off Narrator in Windows 10-narrator_jump_list.jpg






OPTION EIGHT

To Turn Off Narrator in Narrator Settings


1. Click/tap on the Narrator icon on the taskbar, and click/tap on the Exit Narrator button in Narrator Home. (see screenshot below)

Turn On or Off Narrator in Windows 10-narrator_home.jpg






OPTION NINE

To Turn On or Off Narrator on Touch Device (ex: tablet) without a Keyboard


1. Press the Start button and the Volume Up button together on your device to toggle Narrator on and off.


That's it,
Shawn


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