HP PCs - Accessibility options (Windows 10)

Ease of access

Accessibility tools provide options for people who have learning, vision, hearing, or mobility impairments.

You can use the following accessibility features to do different tasks:

Use the narrator feature to have text read to you.
Use the speech recognition feature to control your computer with voice commands or convert speech to text so that you do not need to type.
Activate keyboard and visual features to make navigating your computer easier.

You can turn on several accessibility options from Ease of Access settings, a central location for features such as Narrator, Magnifier, Closed captions, and High contrast.

Open Ease of Access

Open Ease of Access before signing in for common access settings like Narrator, Magnifier, and On-Screen Keyboard. Open Ease of Access settings after signing in for a full menu of access options.

Open Ease of Access settings before you sign in

For a limited menu of common access settings, open Ease of Access before you sign in.

Note:

Turn off Windows Hello face recognition to use this method of opening Ease of Access.

Turn on the computer.
Click the lock screen to dismiss it.
On the lower-right corner of the sign-in screen, click the Ease of Access icon.

An Ease of Access window opens with options for the following accessibility settings:

Narrator
Magnifier
On-screen Keyboard
High contrast
Sticky Keys
Filter Keys

Open Ease of Access settings after you sign in

For a full menu of access features and settings, open Ease of Access settings after you sign in.

In Windows, search for and open Ease of Access settings.
Select a menu item to view and change the settings.

Set up the computer to read on-screen text aloud with Narrator

Narrator is an app that reads on-screen text aloud in some applications and programs. Use Narrator to read and write email, browse the internet, use apps, and work with documents. Where available, Audio Description describes what is happening in videos.

For additional information about using Narrator, see Complete guide to Narrator (in English).

Set up Narrator

Narrator requires headphones, built-in computer speakers, or external speakers. When enabled, Narrator opens when you sign in to Windows.

In Windows, search for and open Ease of Access settings.
Select Narrator, and then review the available features.
- Use Narrator: Reads content and describes on-screen activity aloud.
- Start-up options: Choose when you want Narrator to start.
- Personalize Narrator's voice: Select the voice that Narrator uses as well as voice speed, pitch, and volume.
- Change what you hear when reading and interacting: Configure Narrator to control the level of detail Narrator provides for text, buttons, and controls.
- Change what you hear when typing: Choose whether to hear words, punctuation, navigation, and modifier keys as you type.
- Choose keyboard settings: Select the keyboard layout and set the Narrator modifier key.
- Use Narrator cursor: Choose how to interact with the Narrator cursor.
- Use braille: Choose to download and install braille software.
- Sync my settings: Set up Narrator so that your settings are applied for anyone who signs in to the computer.

Use the Narrator keyboard shortcut commands

Use keyboard shortcuts to make Narrator faster and easier to use. Narrator has two keyboard layouts that you can select.

Standard layout: The default keyboard in Narrator. This keyboard is similar to the keyboard layout of other screen readers.
Legacy layout: Continue to use the shortcuts from previous versions of Narrator by selecting the Legacy keyboard in Ease of Access settings.

Narrator shortcut commands vary between the two keyboard layouts. The following list provides some commonly used shortcut commands for the Standard (default) keyboard. For a complete list of commands, turn on Narrator, and then press the caps lock + f1 key press combination, or go to Complete guide to Narrator (in English).

Note:

If your computer has a fn key, or if the function keys perform other actions, such as reducing volume, press fn in addition to the key press combination listed for Narrator functions.

Display all Narrator commands: Press caps lock + f1.
Display commands for the current item: Press caps lock + f2.
Exit Narrator: Press caps lock + esc.
Adjust voice volume: Press ctrl + caps lock + + (plus sign) to increase volume or - (minus sign) to decrease volume.
Read document: Press caps lock + c.
Stop reading: Press ctrl.
Read from cursor: Press caps lock + r.

Use Scan mode in Narrator

Scan mode is a navigation and reading mode that allows you to navigate through apps, email, and webpages using the arrow keys and keyboard shortcuts.

Some commonly used shortcut commands for Scan mode are as follows:

Enable or disable Scan mode: Press caps lock + spacebar.
Move to and read the next line: Press ctrl + down arrow.
Move to and read the previous line: Press ctrl + up arrow.
Move to and read the next paragraph: Press p.
Move to and read the previous paragraph: Press shift + p.
Follow a link or press a button: Press spacebar.

For more shortcut commands and information about Scan mode, go to Complete guide to Narrator (in English).

Touch commands for Narrator

Narrator can be used with touch commands if your computer has a touch screen. Many Narrator touch commands work only with computers that support four-finger touch. If your computer does not support four-finger touch, experiment with the following touch commands to see which ones work on your touch screen.

Read an item under your finger: Touch or drag a finger.
Perform a primary action: Tap twice or hold with one finger, and then tap with a second finger.
Move to the next or previous item: Flick left or right with one finger.
Start reading: Swipe down with three fingers.
Stop reading: Tap once with two fingers.
Display the commands list: Tap three times with four fingers.
Zoom in or out: Swipe up or down with four fingers.

For more shortcut commands and information about touch, go to Complete guide to Narrator (in English).

Set up braille in Narrator

Download and install braille in Narrator settings to enable Narrator to work with a braille display.

For more information about using braille in Narrator, go to Complete guide to Narrator (in English).

In Windows, search for and open Ease of Access settings.
Select Narrator, scroll down to Use braille, and then click Download and install braille. If a User Account Control window is displayed, click Yes.
Wait for braille to download, and then click Install on the Windows Security window.
Make sure that the Turn on braille toggle is set to on, and then click Add a braille display.
Under Select braille display manufacturer, click the down arrow to select a braille display manufacturer from the drop-down menu.
Under Select connection type, click the down arrow to select the appropriate connection type, and then click Add.
Select an input and output language, and then select an input and output table type.

Narrator is now set up for displaying braille content on a braille display.

Use the Movies & TV app with Narrator

The Movies & TV app works with Narrator so that you can navigate the app on your computer.

Start Narrator, and then open the Movies & TV app.
Search for a video using Narrator commands.
- To search for videos that you own, press tab to navigate to the Search box, and then press enter. Type the name of the movie or show in the box, and then press enter to search.
- To search for videos to rent or buy, press tab to navigate to the Search box, and then press enter. Type the name of the movie or show, and then press enter to search. Search results for videos that you already own or have rented are displayed first. To see results for content that you can rent or buy from the Microsoft Store, press the shift + tab key press combination, and then press enter. Use the arrow keys to browse through the search results.
Play the video.
- Personal videos: Playback begins automatically.
- Movies that you own: Press tab to navigate to the Play button, and then press enter or spacebar.
- TV series that you own: The focus is set automatically to the Play button for the first episode in the series, or the first episode that you have not yet watched. Press enter.
  
  Note:
  To watch a different episode, press tab to navigate to the episodes list, and then use the arrow keys to navigate to the desired episode. Select the episode, press tab to navigate to the Play button, and then press enter.
- Movies or TV series to rent or buy: Follow the on-screen instructions to buy or rent the video. When the transaction is complete, press tab to navigate to the Play or Owned button, and then press enter to switch the focus back to the Movies & TV app. Press tab to navigate to the Play button, and then press enter.

Narrator keyboard shortcuts in the Movies & TV app

See the following table for Narrator keyboard shortcuts in the Movies & TV app.

Note:

If the computer has a function key that performs an action related to video content, such as muting or reducing volume, and the Narrator key press combination does not work, try using the device function key instead of the Narrator keyboard shortcut key.

Move focus to the Search box: Press ctrl + q.
Open a context menu: Press shift + f10.
Enter full-screen mode: Press alt + enter.
Exit full-screen mode: Press esc.
Select an item that is in focus: Press enter.
Play or pause: Press ctrl + p or spacebar.
Go backward or forward: Press tab to navigate to Seek (progress bar), and then press the left arrow key (to go backward) or the right arrow key (to go forward).
Skip forward or backward 30 seconds: Press tab to navigate to Skip forward or Skip backward, and then press enter.
Change audio or closed caption options: Press tab to either navigate to Show menu for subtitles and audio, press enter, and then use the arrow keys to choose options.
Mute the volume: Press tab to navigate to the Show volume menu, press enter, and then press f7.
Turn volume down or up: Press tab to navigate to Show volume menu, press enter, and then press f8 (volume down) or f9 (volume up).

Make content readable by Narrator

If content is unreadable by Narrator, try copying the content into a text editing app like Notepad.

In Windows, search for and open Notepad.

An untitled Notepad window opens.
Switch to the application that contains the unreadable content, and then highlight the content.
Right-click the highlighted content, and then select Copy.
In the Notepad window, right-click any empty space, and then select Paste.
Press caps lock + h to have the content read.

Use Cortana personal digital assistant with speech recognition

Cortana personal digital assistant with speech recognition can help you perform a variety of tasks. In addition, if you have a Windows phone or the Cortana app for Android or Apple iOS devices, you can set Cortana to sync notifications between your computer and your mobile device.

Note:

For business computers on IT-managed systems, Cortana might be disabled. To confirm, contact your company's IT department or your local IT service.

Use Cortana to perform the following functions:

Add appointments to your calendar.
Send emails or texts.
Get reminders of appointments.
Perform calculations.
Search the web.

In addition, Cortana can provide the following types of current and relevant information:

Headline news items and local weather information
Directions and a map to your favorite places
Traffic conditions to help with your commute
Scores for your favorite sports teams
Stock market gains and losses

To use Cortana, type in the search box on the taskbar or talk to Cortana. You can teach Cortana to recognize your voice and activate when you say, "Hey Cortana." For example, you can say, "Hey Cortana, wake me up at 6 a.m." If you choose to talk to Cortana and use Cortana's hands-free speech recognition, enable the Hey Cortana feature.

Increase the size of text and images with Magnifier

Use Magnifier to increase the size of text and images or to change the way items are displayed on the screen. Enlarge the entire screen, the area around the mouse pointer, or just a part of the screen.

In Windows, search for and open Ease of Access settings.
On the Ease of Access menu, select Magnifier, and then turn on Magnifier.

The Magnifier toolbar is displayed.

Note:
If you open Ease of Access before you sign in, Magnifier automatically turns on when you select it.
Click the plus or minus icons in the Magnifier tool bar to zoom in or out.
If you want Magnifier to follow Narrator around the screen, scroll down to Have Magnifier follow, and then select Narrator cursor.
On the Magnifier toolbar, click Views.
Select the Full Screen, Docked, or Lens view.
- Full Screen: Enlarges the entire screen.
- Lens: Enlarges the area around the mouse pointer.
  
  Note:
  You can click the Settings icon on the Magnifier toolbar to open Ease of Access settings, and then use the slider bars to adjust the lens size.
- Docked: Enlarges part of the screen.

Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard

Use On-Screen Keyboard, Speech Recognition, and Dictation to use the computer without a mouse or keyboard.

Use the On-Screen Keyboard

On-Screen Keyboard is a visual keyboard that opens on your screen and takes the place of a physical keyboard. You can type using either a mouse pointer or joystick. If you have an HP TouchSmart computer or a computer with a touch screen, you can also type using a stylus, mouth stick, or your finger.

In Windows, search for and open Ease of Access settings.

Note:
You can select On-Screen Keyboard before you sign in to Windows, but you cannot access additional settings until you sign in.
Select Keyboard, and then turn on Use the On-Screen Keyboard.
To type or use keyboard commands with On-Screen Keyboard, move the cursor to the open software program, such as a Microsoft Word document or an Internet browser field, and then click where you want to type.
To change the On-Screen Keyboard settings, click the Options key.
- To hear an audible click when a key is selected, select the Use click sound check box, and then click OK.
- To show keys, select the Show keys to make it easier to move around the screen check box, and then click OK.
- To add a numeric keypad to the On-Screen Keyboard, select the Turn on the numeric key pad check box, and then click OK.
- To type text by clicking on-screen keys with a mouse pointer, select Click on keys, and then click OK.

Use the Hover over keys mode

In Hover over keys mode, you can type characters without pressing keyboard keys or clicking with a mouse. Using the On-Screen Keyboard and a mouse or joystick, you can type by pointing to and hovering over a character for a predetermined amount of time.

To turn on Hover over keys mode, click the Options key on the On-Screen Keyboard, and then select Hover over keys.
To set the amount of time that you want to hover over a key to type a character, use the mouse pointer to move the Hover duration slider bar.
Click OK. Hover over keys mode is activated.

Use Scan through keys mode

When in Scan through keys mode, the On-Screen Keyboard scans and highlights areas of the keyboard. Press the spacebar, or another key you choose, to type. For example, when the keyboard highlights a section of the keyboard, you can press the spacebar to select the section.

Click the Options key on the On-Screen Keyboard.
Select Scan through keys.
Select a scanning speed by using the mouse pointer to move the Scanning speed slider bar.
Under To select a key, select the check box next to the input device or devices that you use.
To change the keyboard shortcut key, select a key from the Use keyboard key drop-down menu.
Click OK. Scan through keys is activated.

Use Text Prediction

Text Prediction makes typing easier by suggesting words based on what you have already typed. The top row of the On-Screen Keyboard displays suggested words. When you select a word, the word is typed.

Click the Options key on the On-Screen Keyboard.
Select the Use Text Prediction check box, select the Insert space after predicted words check box to add spaces automatically, and then click OK.
To enter text, move the cursor to an editable field in the application that you are using, and then begin typing using the On-Screen Keyboard.

A list of predicted words is displayed in the top row of the On-Screen Keyboard above the numbered keys.
Select a predicted word.
- To type a predicted word when in Click on keys mode, click the correct predicted word.
- To type a predicted word when in Hover over keys mode, use the mouse pointer or joystick to hover over the correct predicted word.
- To type a predicted word when in Scan through keys mode, press spacebar on the physical keyboard when the row of predicted words is highlighted. Press spacebar again when the correct group of predicted words is highlighted, and then press spacebar once more when the correct word is highlighted.

Set up Speech Recognition

With Speech Recognition, you can control your computer using spoken commands, as well as dictate text. If the computer does not have a built-in microphone, connect a microphone to the computer.

Use Speech Recognition

When setting up Speech Recognition, you are prompted to print a speech reference card that details basic and advanced commands that apply to most Windows operating systems. Use the following Speech Recognition commands.

To go to Start or switch between Start and the last app used, say, "Start."
To open an app, say, "Open" and the name of the app. For example, say, "Open Paint."
To go to the Windows desktop, say, "Switch to desktop."
To scroll, say, "Scroll right" or "Scroll up."

In Windows, search for and open Ease of Access settings.
Click Speech, and then click Turn on Speech Recognition.
On the Welcome to Speech Recognition window, click Next.
When prompted, select your type of microphone from the list, and then click Next.
Review the microphone placement information on the Set up your microphone window, and then click Next.
Read from the script on the Adjust the volume of the Microphone window, and then click Next.
On the Your microphone is now set up window, click Next.
On the Improve speech recognition accuracy window, click Privacy Statement.

Microsoft's Privacy Statement opens in a web browser.
Review Microsoft's Privacy Statement, and then choose whether to allow Microsoft access to your documents and email:
- Enable document review: If you want to allow Windows to review your documents and email to determine which words and phrases you use the most.
- Disable document review: If you do not want Windows to review documents or email.
Click Next.
On the Choose an activation mode window, select the preferred option for reactivating Speech Recognition after the feature has been deactivated, and then click Next.
On the Print the Speech Reference Card window, click View Reference Sheet if you would like to read and print a list of Speech Recognition commands, and then click Next.
On the Run Speech Recognition every time I start the computer window, click the Run Speech Recognition at startup check box, and then click Next.
On the You can now control this computer by voice window, click Start Tutorial or Skip Tutorial.

Set up advanced Speech Recognition options

Customize Speech Recognition with advanced options that allow you to create profiles, change sound themes, and enhance your microphone.

In Windows, search for and open Control Panel.
Type Ease of Access Center in the search field, and then select Ease of Access Center from the search results.
Under Explore all settings, select Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard.
In the Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard window, click Use Speech Recognition.
Click the Advanced speech options link.

The Speech Properties window is displayed with options for setting up a new speech recognition profile, setting up user settings and sound themes, and enhancing microphone performance.

Add a new profile with speech recognition

You can create different profiles on the computer for everybody who uses speech recognition or different profiles for each noise environment.

In the Speech Properties window, click New in the Recognition Profiles area.
In the Add a profile window, name the profile, and then click OK.
Follow the on-screen instructions in the Microphone Setup Wizard.

Set up Speech Recognition user settings

Adjust settings and enhance the ability of Speech Recognition to understand your speech.

In the Speech Properties window, select your profile name, click Train Profile, and then follow the on-screen instructions in the Speech Recognition Voice Training wizard.
Optionally, in the Speech Properties window, select Run Speech Recognition at startup.
Optionally, in the Speech Properties window, select Enable voice activation.
To change the spacing between sentences, select the number of spaces from the Number of spaces to insert after punctuation drop-down menu.

Set up sound themes

The computer makes sounds to alert you when certain events occur, such as the receipt of a new email. You can change the sounds for Speech Recognition events.

In the Recognition Profiles area on the Speech Properties window, select the profile for the sound theme.
In the Microphone area, click Audio Input.
In the Sound window, click Sounds.
Under Program Events, scroll down to the Windows Speech Recognition program events.
Select the program event that you are configuring.
Select a new sound from the Sounds drop-down menu.
Click Test to preview a sound.
Click Apply.

Change the microphone used for a speech recognition profile

If you want to use a different microphone than the default device for a speech recognition profile, select a different device in the advanced microphone settings.

In the Recognition Profiles area on the Speech Recognition window, select the profile for the different microphone.
In the Microphone area of the Speech Properties window, click Advanced.
On the Audio Input Settings window, select Use this audio input device.
Select the correct microphone input from the Microphone drop-down menu, and then click OK.
On the Speech Recognition window, click OK.

Enhance microphone performance

Improve the ability of Speech Recognition to understand your speech by muting or reducing background sounds.

In the Recognition Profiles area of the Speech Properties window, select the speech recognition profile for which you want to change microphone settings.
In the Microphone area of the Speech Properties window, click Audio Input.
In the Sound window, select the Communications tab.
Select your preferred sound option, click Apply, and then click OK.
On the Speech Recognition window, click OK.

Use Dictation to talk instead of typing

Use Dictation on the desktop to convert spoken words into text, inputting English text on the desktop. You can also use voice commands to add punctuation or edit text.

Note:

Dictation is available in U.S. English only. To use it, your computer must be connected to the internet. To dictate in other languages, use Windows Speech Recognition.

To start dictating, select a text field, and then press the Windows key + h to open the dictation toolbar. For example, to send an email message from the Mail program, open Mail, and then click New Mail. Select a text field, and then press the Windows key + h to open the dictation toolbar.

Note:
If you are using a tablet or a touchscreen, tap the microphone button on the touch keyboard to start dictating. Tap it again to stop dictation.
Start talking. Dictation converts your speech to text and inputs it into the email or other text field.

If you are using a tablet or a touchscreen, tap the microphone button on the touch keyboard to start dictating. Tap it again to stop dictation. To stop dictating, say, "Stop dictation."
To do basic editing or to insert punctuation, tell your computer what to do. For example, say, "Select the previous word" or "Question mark." For a complete list of dictation commands, go to the Microsoft Dictation support page (in English).

Make the mouse easier to use

Make the mouse pointer more visible by changing the way that the pointer looks, and turn on features that make the mouse easier to use.

Change the color and size of mouse pointers

If you have trouble seeing the mouse pointer on your screen, you can change the color and size of the pointer to make it more visible.

In Windows, search for and open Ease of Access settings.
Select Mouse pointer, and then select the pointer size and color.

Turn on Mouse keys

Turn on Mouse keys to use the numeric keypad to move the mouse pointer around the screen.

In Windows, search for and open Ease of Access settings.
Select Mouse, and then turn on Mouse keys to use the numeric keypad to move the pointer.
In the Mouse keys area, turn on Turn on Mouse Keys to use the numeric keypad to move mouse pointer.
Select Only use Mouse Keys when Num Lock is on and Show Mouse Keys icon on the taskbar.

The Mouse Keys icon is displayed.
Select Hold the Ctrl key to speed up and the Shift key to slow down to manually control the mouse pointer speed. Use the ctrl key to speed up, and the shift key to slow down.

Use Mouse Keys

Move the mouse pointer using the numeric keypad.

Move the pointer up and left: Press 7.
Move the pointer up: Press 8.
Move the pointer up and right: Press 9.
Move the pointer left: Press 4.
Move the pointer right: Press 6.
Move the pointer down and left: Press 1.
Move the pointer down: Press 2.
Move the pointer down and right: Press 3.
Drag an item: Point to the item, press 0 (number), and then press a directional key.
Drop an item: Point to the item, and then press . (decimal).
Left-click: On the numeric keypad, press / (forward slash) + 5.
Right-click: On the numeric keypad, press - (minus symbol) + 5.
Double-click: On the numeric keypad, press / (forward slash) + + (plus symbol).
Select an item and right-click it: On the numeric keypad, press * (asterisk) + 5.

Change the way that you switch between windows

If clicking with a mouse is difficult, you can set Windows to select windows by hovering over them with the mouse or a joystick.

In Windows, search for and open Mouse settings.
Make sure that Scroll inactive windows when I hover over them is turned on.

Disable Snap

Snap resizes each window automatically so that all snapped apps fit on the screen. It might be easier to use the computer with Snap turned off.

In Windows, search for and open Display settings.
Select Multitasking on the System menu.
In the Work with multiple windows area of the Multitasking settings, turn off Snap windows.

Make the keyboard easier to use

Change the keyboard settings to make the keyboard easier and more comfortable to use.

Set up and use Sticky Keys

Sticky Keys allows you to press one key at a time to use key press combinations, such as ctrl + alt + delete.

In Windows, search for and open Ease of Access settings.
Select Keyboard on the Ease of Access menu.

Note:
Sticky Keys can be turned on before you sign in, but you must be signed in to access the Sticky Keys settings.
In the Use Sticky Keys area of Keyboard settings, turn on Press one key at a time for keyboard shortcuts. Sticky Keys turns on and additional Sticky Keys features and settings are displayed.
By default, most Sticky Keys settings and features are turned on. Turn off any Sticky Keys features or settings that you do not want to use.
- Allow the shortcut key to start Sticky Keys: Turns on Sticky Keys when you press the shift key five times.
- Show the Sticky Keys icon on the taskbar: Sets Sticky Keys to display a taskbar icon when enabled.
- Lock the modifier key when pressed twice in a row: Keeps the modifier key activated, such as ctrl, alt, shift, or Windows key.
- Turn off Sticky Keys when two keys are pressed at the same time: Turns off Sticky Keys when a modifier key and another key are pressed and released simultaneously.
- Play a sound when a modifier key pressed and released: Sets Sticky keys so an audible cue sounds when a modifier key is pressed, locked, or released.

Set up and use Toggle Keys

Turn on Toggle Keys to hear sound cues when you press locking keys, such as caps lock, num lock, or scroll lock.

In Windows, search for and open Ease of Access settings.
Select Keyboard on the Ease of Access menu.
In the Use Toggle Keys area of the Keyboard settings, turn on Play a sound whenever you press Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock.
Click the Allow the shortcut key to start Toggle Keys check box to enable a shortcut key to turn on Toggle Keys. When enabled, press and hold the num lock key for five seconds to turn on Toggle Keys.

Set up and use Filter Keys

Filter Keys stop the computer from processing brief or repeated keystrokes. When you turn on Filter Keys, you can also slow the rate at which a key repeats when held down.

In Windows, search for and open Ease of Access settings.
Select Keyboard on the Ease of Access menu.

Note:
Filter Keys can be turned on before signing in, but additional Filter Key settings cannot be selected before signing in.
In the Filter Keys area of the Keyboard settings, turn on Ignore brief or repeated keystrokes and change keyboard repeat rates. Filter Keys turns on, and a list of settings and features displays.
By default, most Filter Keys settings and features are turned on. Turn off any Filter Keys features or settings that you do not want to use.
- Allow the shortcut key to start Filter Keys: Turns on Filter Keys without opening Ease of Access. When enabled, Filter Keys turn on when you press and hold the shift key for eight seconds.
- Show the Filter Keys icon on the taskbar: Displays an icon on the taskbar when Filter Keys is enabled.
- Beep when keys are pressed or accepted: Sets Filter Keys to sound an audible cue when keys are pressed or accepted.
To slow down the response time when a key is pressed, turn on Turn on Slow Keys to make your PC wait before accepting keystrokes, and then select a time delay from the drop-down menu.
Enable Turn on Repeat Keys to delay repeated keystrokes when you press and hold down on a key to control how long the computer delays accepting repeated keystrokes. Then, use the drop-down menus that are displayed to set a delay time for the first and subsequent repeated keystrokes.

Make keyboard shortcuts easier to see

To make keyboard shortcuts and access keys easier to see, turn on the Underline access keys when available feature. When you turn on this feature, radio buttons and check boxes can be selected, or removed, by pressing alt and the underlined keys simultaneously.

In Windows, search for and open Ease of Access settings.
Select Keyboard on the Ease of Access menu.
In the Change how keyboard shortcuts work area of the Keyboard settings, turn on Underline access keys when available.
When the Underline access keys when available feature is turned on, press alt and the underlined keys simultaneously to open or close menu items, or to select or clear radio buttons and check boxes.

For example, the Help menu in Notepad can be opened at any time by pressing alt + h. When the Underline access keys when available feature is turned on, the H in the Help menu is underlined, providing a visual reminder of which key to use. To open Help or any other menu, press alt while pressing the underlined key.

Set up and use closed captions

Turn on captions to display system sounds and spoken dialogue as text (where available).

In Windows, search for and open Control Panel.
Type Ease of Access Center in the Search field.
Under Explore all settings, select Use text or visual alternatives for sounds.
Select Turn on text captions for spoken dialog (when available), and then click Apply.
Select Turn on visual notifications for sounds (Sound Sentry).
- Flash active caption bar: Select to allow the caption bar at the top of a dialog box or window to flash during an audio event.
- Flash active window: Select to allow the entire window to flash during an audio event.
- Flash desktop: Select to allow the entire desktop to flash during an audio event.
Click Apply, and then click OK.
To modify settings for text captions, such as color, size, and style, search for and open Ease of Access settings.
Under the Hearing section, click Closed captions, and then configure your settings using the drop-down menus.

Make the computer screen easier to see

You can increase the size of text and images or change the way items are displayed to make the computer screen easier to see.

Set up Color and High Contrast

Use the High contrast option to intensify the color contrast of some of the text and images on the computer screen so that items are more distinct and easier to identify. If it is difficult to see what is on the screen, apply a color filter. Color filters change the color palette on the screen and can help distinguish between things that differ only by color. Using a color filter can help users with color blindness. Color filters are available in grayscale, invert, grayscale inverted, Deuteranopia, Protanopia, or Tritanopia.

In Windows, search for and open Ease of Access settings.
Select Color filters.
Select Turn on Color filters, and then select a color filter from the list.
To use a high contrast color theme, select High contrast in the Ease of Access main menu.
Click Turn on high contrast. To change the theme, select a theme from the drop-down menu under Choose a theme, and then click Apply.

Change the color of window borders and tiles

You can change the color of window borders, tiles, and menu text items to make them more distinct.

Right-click an empty space on the desktop, and then select Personalize.
On the Personalization menu, click Colors.
Choose the options and colors that make items on the computer screen easier for you to see.

Change the thickness of the focus rectangle

Change the thickness of the focus rectangle to make it more distinct.

In Windows, search for and open Optimize visual display.
In the Make things on the screen easier to see area, click the Make the focus rectangle thicker check box, and then click OK.

Change visual options

Change or turn off visual options to make Windows easier to see.

In Windows, search for and open Ease of Access settings.
Select Display, and then move the slider under Make everything brighter to a brightness that makes it easier for you to see.
Scroll down to Simplify and personalize Windows, and then turn on the visual settings that you want to use.
- Show animations in Windows: Turn on this feature to allow animations to play automatically.
- Show transparency in Windows: Turn off this feature to limit how much of the background is displayed through open windows, activities, or applications.
- Automatically hide scroll bars in Windows: Turn on this feature to hide the taskbar.
- Show notifications for: Select the number of seconds for Windows notification dialog boxes to stay open.
- Show desktop background image: Turn on this feature to display a custom background image or color.

Change the size of text, windows, and screen resolution

You can change display settings so that items are easier to see.

In Windows, search for and open Ease of Access settings. Then, click Display.
If your computer has more than one monitor, click the image of the monitor you want to adjust.
In the Scale and layout area of the Display settings, select a percentage in the Change the size of text, apps, and other items drop-down menu.
Select the resolution to use from the Resolution drop-down menu.
Select the orientation to use from the Orientation drop-down menu.

Accessibility options with Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge supports tagged PDF files, and includes improvements to features such as the address bar, tabs, windows, and Favorites. You can also sign PDFs, highlight books that you are reading, add comments, and add virtual sticky notes. A new virtual narrator feature called Read aloud works on PDFs, ebooks, and some webpages.

In addition, Learning Tools is a set of features that make it easier for people with dyslexia. For example, the text in Microsoft Edge can be spaced and highlighted. Change the background to a darker shade to help reduce eye strain and change the size and type of font for near or farsightedness.

In Windows, search for and open Microsoft Edge, or click the Edge icon on the taskbar.

Read a webpage with the Read aloud feature

You can simultaneously highlight and listen to text in webpages and PDF documents. This feature can help people with dyslexia and English-language learners increase their focus and improve their comprehension.

To use the Read aloud feature in Edge, click the More icon, and then select Read aloud from the menu.

The narrator begins reading the text aloud, highlighting each word as it is read.

Read an ebook with the Read aloud feature

Use the virtual narrator to read ebooks in Microsoft Edge.

In Microsoft Edge, click the Hub icon , and then click the Books icon .

A list of books that you own is displayed.
Select a book that you want to read.
Click the More icon, and then select Read aloud from the menu.

The narrator begins reading the text aloud, highlighting each word as it is read.
To change the Narrator settings, click the Settings icon in the upper-right corner. You can adjust the speed or select a different voice.
Click the X to close Settings.

Accessibility options with Windows 10 apps

With the latest updates, Microsoft improved the accessibility functionality of many core Windows 10 apps.

The following are examples of accessibility features with some Windows 10 apps:

Mail: Mail introduced an improved account setup experience when using a screen reader.
Cortana: Cortana includes more reliable search and navigation when using a keyboard, improved high-contrast mode support, and general fixes that improve the Cortana experience when used with accessibility tools such as Windows Speech Recognition, Narrator, and other screen readers.

Additional resources

See these additional resources for more information.

For a list of Windows keyboard shortcuts, see HP PCs - Keyboard shortcuts, hotkeys, and special keys (Windows).
For more information about display options, see HP PCs - Change display settings, background image, icons, and screen saver (Windows 10).

HP PCs - Accessibility options (Windows 10)

Ease of access

Open Ease of Access

Open Ease of Access settings before you sign in

Open Ease of Access settings after you sign in

Set up the computer to read on-screen text aloud with Narrator

Set up Narrator

Use the Narrator keyboard shortcut commands

Use Scan mode in Narrator

Touch commands for Narrator

Set up braille in Narrator

Use the Movies & TV app with Narrator

Narrator keyboard shortcuts in the Movies & TV app

Make content readable by Narrator

Use Cortana personal digital assistant with speech recognition

Increase the size of text and images with Magnifier

Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard

Use the On-Screen Keyboard

Use the Hover over keys mode

Use Scan through keys mode

Use Text Prediction

Set up Speech Recognition

Use Speech Recognition

Set up advanced Speech Recognition options

Add a new profile with speech recognition

Set up Speech Recognition user settings

Set up sound themes

Change the microphone used for a speech recognition profile

Enhance microphone performance

Use Dictation to talk instead of typing

Make the mouse easier to use

Change the color and size of mouse pointers

Turn on Mouse keys

Use Mouse Keys

Change the way that you switch between windows

Disable Snap

Make the keyboard easier to use

Set up and use Sticky Keys

Set up and use Toggle Keys

Set up and use Filter Keys

Make keyboard shortcuts easier to see

Set up and use closed captions

Make the computer screen easier to see

Set up Color and High Contrast

Change the color of window borders and tiles

Change the thickness of the focus rectangle

Change visual options

Change the size of text, windows, and screen resolution

Accessibility options with Microsoft Edge

Read a webpage with the Read aloud feature

Read an ebook with the Read aloud feature

Accessibility options with Windows 10 apps

Additional resources

Additional support options

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