Windows Narrator is a screen reader that converts text to speech in Windows 10. This feature makes the Windows 10 operating system more accessible for those who are visually impaired or are completely blind. Yet, there are times when even people with normal vision can be benefited from Windows Narrator. In this blog we shall be focusing on how to turn off Narrator in Windows 10 and how you can turn it back on when required.
How To Turn Windows Narrator On And Off In Windows 10
To turn Windows Narrator off or on, here are some very simple easy to follow steps –
Method 1 – Using Keyboard Shortcut
First, we’ll take you through a very short method using which you can turn off Narrator in Windows 10. This will take you hardly two steps –
Step 1 – Press Start button (Windows key) + Ctrl + Enter. This will open the “Narrator” dialogue as shown in the screenshot below –
Step 2 – Now click on ‘Turn off Narrator’ that you will find at the bottom right, and the Windows Narrator will be turned off.
If you wish to turn it on, press Caps lock + 1 which would turn on the input learning. You can now hear everything that you perform on the keyboard and if you wish to open the settings pertaining to Windows Narrator, press Ctrl + Windows key + N
Method 2 – Using The Settings To Turn Windows 10 Narrator Off Or On
Here is how you can Turn Windows 10 Narrator Off Or On –
Step 1 – Press the Start button by pressing the Windows Key
Step 2 – Select Settings which is represented by a gear icon () at the bottom left of the screen.
Step 3 – You will land on Windows Settings. In the second row, choose Ease of Access which would be the third option
Step 4 – On the left hand side locate Narrator, and slide the Turn on Narrator to off
Again, you will have to toggle the Turn on Narrator to On, if you wish to switch the Narrator back on.
How Is Windows Narrator Useful
The text to speech tool is available in more than 35 languages, and helps in performing the following functions –
- Reads aloud every action you perform on Windows
- Allows to read the text in your files and documents
- Can read Windows controls and dialog boxes present in almost all basic Windows applications
- Makes it easier to interact with buttons, links and interface elements
- Provides image descriptions
Windows Narrator Settings – An Overview
Before you proceed to read about ways to turn Windows 10 Narrator Off or on, here are a few settings that you’ll come across using which you can –
- Personalize Windows Narrator’s voice by changing its pitch, speed and volume
- Change what you wish to hear. This can especially be useful when you don’t want to listen to modifiers such as Alt and Shift
- Alter the intonation of the narrator just to make it sound more realistic
- Change the voice and accent of the narrator
- Sync Windows Narrator settings to all the users, who would be signing in on your PC
Important Keyboard Shortcuts
When turning Windows 10 Narrator off and on, here are some keyboard shortcuts that would come in handy, and help you sail across several features –
1. Caps Lock + 1 –
As has already been mentioned before, this combo activates input learning. It tells you exactly what keys you are pressing on the keyboard or what combo of command you have pressed.
To turn input learning off, hold Caps Lock key and press 1 twice.
2. Ctrl + Left/ Right arrow key –
After you turn Windows Narrator on, you can use this combo to read word by word.
3. Caps Lock + Space bar –
This combo enables or disables the scan mode. After pressing this combo, you can further press the up arrow and the down arrow key, and scan through different parts of the page. For instance, it could be a link or a button. When you find a link or button, click on it, and press enter.
4. Left/ Right Arrow Key –
This combo is used, when you wish to check each character in a word. This can be helpful when you are checking spellings in a document.
5. D and Shift + D –
You can use this combo when you wish to navigate through landmarks in a page. Landmarks are groups of similar elements like blocks of texts, search box, buttons, etc. something that is very prominent in a web page. Here D is used to go to the next landmark, and Shift + D is used to go to a previous landmark.
6. Ctrl –
Using this key, you can stop Narrator from going any further. It will stop at its current position.
Hope You Would Find Windows Narrator To Be Useful
How often do you use text to speech in Windows 10 and most importantly, how often do you use Windows Narrator? Do share your experience in the comment section. Also, let us know if the above blog has helped you get started with Windows Narrator, and if you were easily able to turn Windows 10 Narrator off and on. For more fun and engaging tech-related content, please do subscribe to Systweak newsletter.