Windows · Accessibility

Turn on the built-in screen reader

Narrator is the screen reader built into Windows 11 that reads aloud on-screen text, describes buttons and controls, and lets you operate the entire system with the keyboard or touch instead of a mouse.

How often: Set up once, adjust occasionally

How to open Narrator

  1. Open Settings → Accessibility → Narrator
  2. Toggle Narrator on, or press Ctrl+Win+Enter
  3. Choose a voice and adjust speed, pitch, and volume
  4. Configure verbosity and startup behavior as needed

What you should know

  • Toggle Narrator on or off, or set it to start automatically at sign-in
  • Pick a voice, speaking speed, pitch, and volume
  • Adjust verbosity for links, formatting, and image descriptions
  • Choose what Narrator highlights on screen as it reads
  • Enable scan mode for easier reading of web pages and long documents

Once enabled, Narrator captures many keyboard shortcuts for its own commands, so unfamiliar users may find navigation confusing at first.

Why it matters

Narrator is often the difference between a usable and an unusable PC for people who are blind or have low vision, and it also helps sighted users who want an audio description of what's happening on screen. Because it ships with Windows at no extra cost, it removes a major barrier to entry compared with paid third-party screen readers. It also matters for accessibility compliance in workplaces and schools that must provide assistive technology. Learning its shortcuts (Caps Lock as the Narrator key) turns a mouse-dependent interface into one that's fully operable by keyboard. It can also be launched from the sign-in screen, which is critical for setting up a new PC independently.

Best practices

  • Learn the Narrator key (Caps Lock or Insert) before relying on it daily
  • Use Narrator Home to walk through the basics the first time you turn it on
  • Pick a natural-sounding Windows voice and adjust the rate to a comfortable speed
  • Combine Narrator with high contrast or larger text size for low-vision users

Common problems and fixes

Narrator reads too fast or too slow to follow
Open Narrator settings and adjust the speaking rate slider until it's comfortable.
Keyboard shortcuts stop working as expected
Remember Narrator intercepts many keys; use the Narrator key combination to pass a key through to the app.
Narrator won't start automatically at sign-in
Enable the 'Use Narrator before sign-in' and 'automatically start after sign-in' options in Narrator settings.

Tips and tricks

  • Press Ctrl+Win+Enter anywhere, including the lock screen, to toggle Narrator instantly
  • Use Narrator's QuickStart guide the first time to learn core commands without guesswork

Frequently asked questions

Is Narrator free?

Yes, it is built into every edition of Windows 11 at no extra cost.

Can I use Narrator on the lock screen?

Yes, pressing Ctrl+Win+Enter on the sign-in screen starts Narrator before you log in.

Does Narrator work with web browsers?

Yes, it works with Microsoft Edge and most modern browsers, including scan mode for easier page reading.

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