HP PCs - Windows 10 Accessibility Options

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.

1. Turn on the computer.
2. Click on the lock screen to dismiss it.
3. On 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

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

1. After you sign in, search for and open Ease of Access settings in the search box on the taskbar.
   
2. Click a menu item to view and change the settings.
   

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

1. After you sign in, search for and open Ease of Access settings in the search box on the taskbar.
   
2. Click Narrator, and then scroll down the window to select from the following features.
   
   • Narrator: Reads content and describes on-screen activity aloud.
   • Start Narrator automatically: Allows Narrator to open every time you start Windows.
   • Choose a voice: Select the voice you want Narrator use.
   • Speed and Pitch: Adjust the slider bars to control the speed and pitch of Narrator.
   • Intonation Pauses: Click the toggle switch to turn this feature on or off. Some voices do not support this setting.
   • Read hints for controls and buttons: Hear information about how to interact with items such as buttons or slider bars, or additional information.
   • Characters you type: Enables Narrator to announce the individual keys you type.
   • Words you type: Enables Narrator to read the words you type.
   • Lower the volume of other apps when Narrator is speaking: Lowers the volume of other apps when Narrator is speaking.
   • Play audio cues: Plays audio cues when you perform certain actions.
   • Highlight the cursor: Highlights the selection that Narrator is reading in a blue box.
   • Have insertion point follow Narrator: Hear text read aloud as it is typed in applications such as Notepad or Microsoft Word.
     By default, when you drag your finger across the touch keyboard while using Narrator, Narrator announces the keys that you are touching. When you reach the key that you want to type, double-tap that key to type the character.
   • Activate keys on touch keyboard when I lift my finger off the keyboard: Type by pressing the keys on the touch keyboard once.
   • Braille (beta): Enables Narrator to work with a braille display.

Use keyboard shortcuts to make Narrator faster and easier to use.

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.

Press Caps lock + Spacebar to turn Scan mode on and off.

Press the Spacebar to follow a link on a webpage or press a button in an app.

The following keyboard shortcut commands function while in Scan mode:

Use Verbose mode to adjust how many settings details, such as font type and size, you hear about the text. Use Punctuation mode to adjust how many punctuation details you hear when text is being read.

Many Windows 10 apps offer AutoSuggestions as you enter information. When suggestions are available, Narrator gives you a verbal hint with an audio indication.

• Press CAPS LOCK + DOWN ARROW on the keyboard (flick down on a touchscreen) to change to the list of suggestions.
• Press CAPS LOCK + RIGHT ARROW and LEFT ARROW on the keyboard, (flick right and left on a touchscreen) to move through the list of suggestions.
• Press CAPS LOCK + ENTER or double tap to select a suggestion.
• Press the DOWN ARROW to move through the list of suggestions.
• Press ENTER to select a suggestion.

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 Microsoft document Get Started with Narrator (in English).

1. After you sign in, search for and open Ease of Access settings in the search box on the taskbar.
   
2. Click Narrator, scroll down to Use braille (beta), and then click Download and install braille.
   If a User Account Control windows displays, click Yes.
   
   After braille installs,
3. On the Windows Security window, click Install.
4. After the braille software installs, make sure the Turn on braille toggle is set to on, and then click Add a braille display.
   
5. Under Select braille display manufacturer, click the down arrow to select a braille display manufacturer from the drop-down menu.
   
6. Under Select connection type, click the down arrow to select the appropriate connection type, and then click Add.
   
7. Under Choose a language, click the down arrow to 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.

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

1. Start Narrator, and then open the Movies & TV app.
2. Search for a video using Narrator commands.
   • To search for videos you own, press the Tab key to navigate to the Search box, and 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 the Tab key to navigate to the Search box, and press Enter. Type the name of the movie or show, and then press Enter to search. Search results for videos you already own or have rented display first. To see results for content that you can rent or buy from the Store, press Shift + Tab and then press Enter. Use the arrow keys to browse through the search results.
3. Play the video.
   • Personal videos: Playback begins automatically.
   • Movies you own: Use the Tab key to navigate to the Play button, and then press Enter or Spacebar.
   • TV series you own: The focus is automatically set to the Play button for the first episode in the series or the first episode you have not yet watched. Press Enter.

     note:

     To watch a different episode, use the Tab key to navigate to the episodes list, and then use the arrow keys to navigate to the desired episode. Select the episode, use the Tab key 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, use the Tab key to navigate to the Play or Owned button, and then press Enter to switch the focus back to the Movies & TV app. Use the Tab key to navigate to the Play button, and then press Enter.

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

1. Using the search box on the taskbar, search for and open Notepad.
   
   An untitled Notepad window opens.
2. Switch to the application that contains the content you want Narrator to read, and then highlight the content.
3. Right-click the highlighted content, and then select Copy.
4. In Notepad, right-click, and then select Paste.
5. Press CAPS LOCK + H to have the content read.

On-Screen Keyboard is a visual keyboard that opens on your screen and takes the place of a physical keyboard. You can type using 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.

1. After you sign in, search for and open Ease of Access settings in the search box on the taskbar.

   note:

   You can select On-Screen Keyboard before you sign in, but you cannot access additional settings until you sign in.

   
2. In Ease of Access menu, click Keyboard, and then turn on Use the On-Screen Keyboard.
   
3. To type or use keyboard commands with On-Screen Keyboard, move the cursor to the software program you want to use, such as a Microsoft Word document or an Internet browser field, and then click where you want to type.
4. To change the On-Screen Keyboard settings, click the Options key.
   
   • To hear an audible click when a key is selected, select the check box next to Use click sound, and then click OK.
   • To show keys, select the check box next to Show keys to make it easier to move around the screen, and then click OK.
   • To add a numeric keypad to the On-Screen Keyboard, select the check box next to Turn on the numeric key pad, and then click OK.
   • To type text by clicking on-screen keys with a mouse pointer, select Click on keys, and then click OK.
   

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.

When setting up Speech Recognition, you are prompted to print a speech reference card that details basic and advanced commands that applies 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".

1. After you sign in, search for and open Ease of Access settings in the search box on the taskbar.
   
2. Click Speech, and then click Turn on Speech Recognition.
   
   The Welcome to Speech Recognition window displays.
   
3. On the Welcome to Speech Recognition window, click Next.
4. When prompted, select your type of microphone from the list, and then click Next.
   
5. Review the microphone placement information on the Set up your microphone window, and then click Next.
6. Read from the script on the Adjust the volume of the Microphone window, and then click Next.
7. On the Your microphone is now set up window, click Next.
8. On the Improve speech recognition accuracy window, click Privacy Statement.
   Microsoft's Privacy Statement opens in a web browser.
9. 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.
10. Click Next.
11. On the Choose an activation mode window, select the preferred option for reactivating Speech Recognition once the feature has been deactivated, and then click Next.
12. On the Print the Speech Reference Card page, click View Reference Sheet if you would like to read and print a list of Speech Recognition commands, and then click Next.
13. On the Run Speech Recognition every time I start the computer page, click the check box next to Run Speech Recognition at startup, and then click Next.
14. On the You can now control this computer by voice window, click Start Tutorial or Skip Tutorial.

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

1. Using the search box on the taskbar, search for and open Ease of Access Center.
   
2. Under Explore all settings, click Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard.
3. In the Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard window, click Use Speech Recognition.
   
4. Click the Advanced speech options link.
   The Speech Properties window displays with options for setting up a new speech recognition profile, setting up user settings and sound themes, and enhancing microphone performance.
   

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.

1. After you sign in, search for and open Ease of Access settings in the search box on the taskbar.
   
2. Click Cursor & pointer size, and the select the pointer size and color.
   

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

1. After you sign in, search for and open Ease of Access settings in the search box on the taskbar.
   
2. Click Mouse, turn on Mouse keys to use the numeric keypad to move the pointer.
   
3. In the Mouse keys area, turn on Use numeric keypad to move mouse around the screen.
4. Turn on Only use Mouse Keys when Num Lock is on and Show Mouse Keys icon on the taskbar.
   The Mouse keys icon displays.
5. Turn on Hold down Ctrl to speed up and Shift to slow down to manually control the mouse pointer speed using the Ctrl key to speed up, and the Shift key to slow down.

Move the mouse pointer using the numeric keypad.

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

1. Using the search box on the taskbar, search for and open Mouse settings.
2. Make sure Scroll inactive windows when I hover over them is turned on.
   

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

1. Click Start , and then click Settings .
2. Click System, and then select Multitasking on the System menu.
   
3. In the Snap area of the Multitasking settings, turn off Arrange windows automatically by dragging them to the sides or corners of the screen.
   

Sticky Keys allows you to press one key at a time to use key combinations, such as CTRL + ALT + DELETE.

1. After you sign in, search for and open Ease of Access settings in the search box on the taskbar.
   
2. Click Keyboard on the Ease of Access menu.

   note:

   Sticky Keys can be turned on before you sign in, but additional Sticky Key settings cannot be selected before you sign in.

3. In the Sticky Keys area in the Keyboard settings, turn on Press one key at a time for keyboard shortcuts.
   Sticky Keys turn on and additional Sticky Keys features and settings display.
   
4. By default, all Sticky Keys settings and features are turned on. Turn off any Sticky Key features or settings you do not want to use.
   • Turn on Sticky Keys when SHIFT is pressed five times turns on Sticky Keys without opening Ease of Access Center.
   • Lock modifier keys when pressed twice in a row, such as CTRL, ALT, SHIFT, or Windows key .
   • Turn off Sticky Keys by releasing a modifier key in combination with another key turns off Sticky Keys when a modifier key and another key are pressed and released simultaneously.
   • Play a sound when modifier key is latched, locked, or released sets Sticky keys so an audible cue sounds when a modifier key is pressed, locked, or released.
   • Display the Sticky Keys icon on the taskbar sets Sticky Keys to display a taskbar icon when enabled.

Turn on Toggle Keys to hear sound cues when you press locking keys such as CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK, or SCROLL LOCK.

1. After you sign in, search for and open Ease of Access settings in the search box on the taskbar.
   
2. Click Keyboard on the Ease of Access menu.
3. In the Toggle Keys area of the Keyboard settings, turn on Play a sound when you press Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock.

   note:

   After you turn on Toggle Keys, Allow the shortcut key to start Toggle Keys displays. This feature is turned on by default. Turn off the feature if you do not want to use it.

   

Filter Keys stops 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.

1. After you sign in, search for and open Ease of Access settings in the search box on the taskbar.
   
2. Click 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.

3. In the Filter Keys area of the Keyboard settings, turn on Ignore or slow down brief or repeated keystrokes and adjust keyboard repeat rate.
   Filter Keys turns on, and a list of settings and features displays.
   
4. The features and settings in the following list are turned on by default. Turn off any features or settings you do not want to use.
   • Allow the shortcut key to start Filter Keys: Turns on Filter Keys without opening Ease of Access.
   • Show the Filter Keys icon on the taskbar: Sets Filter Keys to display 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.
5. 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 the desired time delay from the drop-down menu.
   
6. To control how long the computer delays accepting repeated keystrokes, turn on Enable Repeat Keys, and then select the desired time delays on the How long should the computer wait before accepting the first repeated keystroke? and How long should the computer wait before accepting subsequent repeated keystrokes? drop-down menus.
   

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

1. After you sign in, search for and open Ease of Access settings in the search box on the taskbar.
   
2. Click 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.

3. In the Change how keyboard shortcuts work area of the Keyboard settings, turn on Underline keyboard shortcuts and access keys when available.
   
4. When the Underline keyboard shortcuts and access keys feature is turned on, press ALT and the desired underlined keys at the same time to open or close menu items, or select or remove 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 keyboard shortcuts and access keys 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 the ALT key while pressing the underlined key.
   

Use the High contrast option to intensify the color contrast of some of the text and images on the computer screen so items are more distinct and easier to identify. If it's hard to see what's 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 greyscale, invert, greyscale inverted, Deuteranopia, Protanopia or Tritanopia.

1. After you sign in, search for and open Ease of Access settings in the search box on the taskbar.
   
2. Click Color filters, turn on Turn on color filters, and then select the color filter you want to use from the list that displays.
   
3. To use a high contrast color theme, click High contrast in the Ease of Access main menu.
   
4. Click Turn on high contrast. To change the theme, select a theme from the drop-down list under Choose a theme, and then click Apply.
   

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

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

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

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

Change or turn off visual options so Windows is easier to see.

1. After you sign in, search for and open Ease of Access settings in the search box on the taskbar.
   
2. Click Display, and the scroll down to Simplify and personalize Windows.
3. Click the toggle switch to change visual settings.
   
   • Show animations in Windows: Turn on this feature to allow animations to automatically play.
   • Show transparency in Windows: Turn off this feature to limit how much of the background displays 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 you want Windows notification dialog boxes to stay open.
   • Show desktop background image: Turn on this feature to display a custom background image or color.
4. Move the slider under Make everything brighter to the desired brightness.

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

1. Click Start , and then click Settings .
2. Select System and then select Display on the System menu.
3. If your PC has more than one display, click the image of the monitor you want to adjust.
4. In the Scale and layout area of the Display settings, select the desired percentage in the Change the size of text, apps, and other items drop-down menu.
   
5. Select the desired resolution from the Resolution drop-down menu.
6. Select the desired orientation from the Orientation drop-down menu.

You can also simultaneously highlight and listen to text in webpages and PDF documents. This 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 in the menu.

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

Use the virtual narrator to read eBooks in Microsoft Edge.

1. In Edge, click the Hub icon on the right side of the address bar, and then click the Books icon .
   A list of books you own displays.
   
2. Select the book you want to read.
3. Click the More icon , and then select Read aloud.
   
   The narrator begins reading the text aloud, highlighting each word as it is read.
   
4. The narrator begins reading the text aloud, highlighting each word as it is read.
5. To change the narrator settings, click the Settings icon in the upper-right corner. You can adjust the speed or select a different voice.
   
6. Click the X to close Settings.