The Windows screen reader that comes with every PC is Narrator, and pressing Win+Ctrl+Enter starts or stops it. Two more programs are widely used on Windows: NVDA, which is free, and JAWS, which is paid. Most blind Windows users run one of those two for daily work.
This guide shows how to set up and drive Narrator, then compares all three so you can choose one for yourself, a family member or a test lab.
Quick facts
Built in
Narrator, on every Windows 10 and 11 PCNarrator on or off
Win+Ctrl+EnterNarrator key
Caps Lock or InsertFree download
NVDA from NV AccessPaid
JAWS, with a 40 minute demo mode
Narrator, the built in Windows screen reader
Narrator ships with Windows 10 and 11, so it is there on a new laptop, a library computer or a hotel business center. You can even start it on the sign in screen. It reads apps, settings, files and web pages, supports braille displays, and offers natural sounding voices that you can download from its settings.
When it starts, a window called Narrator Home appears with links to a quick start guide, the full guide and settings. Microsoft keeps a complete guide to Narrator online.
Turning Narrator on, off and at sign in
- Keyboard: Win+Ctrl+Enter toggles it. Caps Lock+Esc also turns it off.
- Settings: Settings, Accessibility, Narrator, then the Narrator switch.
- Before sign in: the accessibility button on the lock screen offers Narrator.
- Every time: in the same settings page you can make Narrator start after sign in, or before it for everyone.
If Narrator keeps starting by accident, the keyboard shortcut is usually the cause. You can turn the shortcut off in Narrator settings, but leave it on for anyone who relies on it.
Narrator keys and scan mode
The Narrator key is Caps Lock or Insert; either works by default. On web pages Narrator uses scan mode, which turns single letters into navigation keys, much like browse mode in other screen readers.
| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| Scan mode on or off | Caps Lock+Space |
| Next heading, link, table | H, K, T in scan mode |
| Next landmark | D in scan mode |
| Stop reading | Ctrl |
| List all commands | Caps Lock+F1 |
| Turn Narrator off | Caps Lock+Esc |
Commands change slightly between Windows updates. Caps Lock+F1 always shows the current list.
NVDA: the free Windows screen reader most people choose
NVDA is a download from NV Access, costs nothing and is open source. It is the most common choice among blind people who pick their own tool, partly on cost and partly because it handles the web very well. It also runs as a portable copy, which is useful on locked down work PCs. Learn the details, including how to quit it, in our NVDA guide.
JAWS: the paid option for work
JAWS is sold by Freedom Scientific. It has a long history in offices and government, strong support for complex documents and spreadsheets, and a scripting system that trainers use to adapt it to unusual software. Without a licence it runs for 40 minutes, then needs a restart. Our JAWS guide explains licences and commands.
Which Windows screen reader should you use?
| Need | Good fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First steps, no install possible | Narrator | Already on the PC |
| Daily personal use on a budget | NVDA | Free, mature, frequent updates |
| Office job with complex spreadsheets | JAWS or NVDA | Depends on the software the employer uses |
| Testing websites | NVDA first | Free and widely used; add JAWS if required |
| Checking Edge specific behavior | Narrator | Built by the same company as the browser |
Blind users often install more than one and switch when a program behaves badly with the first. There is no wrong answer as long as the person has had a chance to try it.
Narrator screen reader settings worth changing
The defaults are reasonable, but a few changes make Narrator much more pleasant. All of them live under Settings, Accessibility, Narrator.
- Voice: add one of the natural voices. They sound far less robotic and download once.
- Speed: start slow, then raise it as your ear gets used to synthetic speech. Many users end up well above normal talking pace.
- Verbosity: lower it if Narrator describes too much formatting, raise it when you are checking details such as link targets.
- Keyboard layout: the standard layout is the current one; the legacy layout exists only for people used to older commands.
- Braille: turn on braille support and pick your display if you use one.
Changes apply at once, so you can adjust speed while listening to a long page and stop when it feels right.
Testing your site with a Windows screen reader
- Start NVDA and use Firefox or Chrome to load the page.
- Press H repeatedly to hear the heading outline.
- Tab through links and controls and listen for a clear name on each.
- Fill in and submit the main form, including one deliberate mistake.
- Repeat the main task with Narrator and Edge to catch differences.
Write down the screen reader, its version and the browser for every issue you log. More checks are on the screen reader testing page, and other platforms are covered in free screen readers.
Questions people ask
Does Windows have a screen reader?
Yes. Narrator is built into Windows 10 and 11. Press Win+Ctrl+Enter to start it.
How do I turn off the screen reader in Windows?
Press Win+Ctrl+Enter again, or Caps Lock+Esc while Narrator is running. If the voice belongs to NVDA instead, press Insert+Q and then Enter.
Is Narrator as good as NVDA?
Narrator has improved and is fine for everyday tasks. Most experienced blind users still prefer NVDA or JAWS for heavy web and office work, and testers usually start with NVDA.
What is the Narrator key?
Caps Lock or Insert. You hold it with other keys to give Narrator commands, for example Caps Lock+Space for scan mode.
How do I get a screen reader in Windows if Narrator is missing?
Narrator is part of every standard Windows 10 and 11 install, though an employer may have hidden it. Ask IT to allow it, or use a portable copy of NVDA, which runs from a USB stick without installing.
Which screen reader for Windows is free?
Narrator, which is built in, and NVDA, which you download from nvaccess.org. JAWS is the main paid option.