The following tutorials will
cover some Windows 10 basics (to help get you up and running
with Windows 10).
After upgrading to Windows 10,
you may wish to make some changes. The following tutorials contain some
of the things you might like to do.
NVDA tutorials |
NVDA screen reader |
How to install additional NVDA components |
|||
Before listening to / or looking at the following tutorials, please make sure you have downloaded a copy of the NVDA screen reader. To get the latest copy, please visit http://www.nvaccess.org/ and go to the downloads link. Download the programme and set it up. Down the track, if you feel you have benefited from NVDA, then donations (no matter how big or small) are always welcome to keep the project free for everyone!
Now and
again if you have other languages installed on your computer,
you might accidentally change your keyboard layout. You might
notice this if another symbol comes up instead of the one you
wanted in its place when typing.
If you have other languages installed on
your computer they will have a keyboard associated with that
language.
If you want to change quickly between
keyboard layouts on your computer try the following shortcuts.
Hold down the Windows key and then press the spacebar. You can
choose between the different keyboard languages displayed by
repeatedly pressing the spacebar Alt + Shift: This is
the classic keyboard shortcut for changing keyboards.
The
following commands are essential to know in order to be able
to start, exit and alter NVDA settings.
Ctrl + Alt + N will start NVDA (installer version only).
Insert + N will get you into your preferences menu (where you
can make changes or access the user manual).
Ins + Q will exit NVDA (this is for both the installer and
portable versions).
Please note: Where it refers to the NVDA key in the user
manual, this can be the Insert key, the extended Insert key,
or the Caps Lock key.key. It is also known as a modifier key.
(For example, if the Insert key is used as the modifier key,
then you press Insert + the letter Q to quit NVDA. If however
you chose your Caps Lock key to be your modifier key, then it
would be Caps Lock + the letter Q to quit).
For a limited time (until the free Windows 10
upgrade offer ends on July 29th, 2016) you can upgrade from
either a Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 computer to Windows 10. Your
computer will have to meet the specifications first that Windows
10 requires. You will need NVDA 2015.3 and above to go up to
Windows 10.
The following tutorial takes a glance at
Windows 10 with NVDA. If you are considering upgrading to
Windows 10 from Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, the
tutorial takes a brief look at Windows 10 so that you know what
to expect when (or if) you do finally upgrade. To listen to the audio tutorial please visit the
following link
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ll73f1obde6qgk9/A%20glance%20at%20Windows%2010%20with%20NVDA.MP3?dl=0
One of the things you will find very useful in
Windows is knowing the shortcuts for various programs. Knowing a
shortcut or two will save you a lot of time looking for the menu
that you use frequently. There is a list of shortcuts (including
Windows 10) linked to a drop box account that you can download
at https://www.dropbox.com/s/r0hc0ejv9whgsgs/Useful%20shortcuts.zip?dl=0
How to add Emojis
in Windows 10 with NVDA
You will need a copy
of NVDA 2018.3 or higher and a copy of Windows 10 version 1709
and above.
From NVDA 2018.3
onwards, the Emoji input panel is supported.
There are 2 keyboard
shortcuts for Windows. Press Windows + ; (semi-colon) or
Windows + . (fullstop/period) to open your emoji keyboard.
You can add them
into your emails, documents etcetera. Wherever your insertion
point is, (that is - where the blinking cursor is), will be
the place that the emoji will go when you insert it into the
document.
When you open the
Emojis panel
When
you open the Emojis panel there will be different
categories that you can choose from, and a search box to make
your search for them faster.
You can use the
arrow keys to navigate through them. They will be spoken out
as you do this. If you want any of the emojis from that list,
just press the Enter key on it and it will be inserted into
your document. Remember, where ever your cursor is blinking on
the document, will be where the emoji goes.
You will then need
to press the Escape key for the emoji panel to disappear. It
will have to be brought up again when inserting another one
into your document.
Just repeat the
process when inserting extra emojis into your document. Do not
forget to press the Escape key each time after inserting an
emoji.
From Windows 10 version 1809 the navigating of the
emoji panel has changed. When you press the shortcut to bring up
the panel you will land in the most recently used section. You
can use your arrow keys to navigate this section. If you use the
Shift/Tab key, this will now put you in the emoji categories
section. You can use the right or left arrow keys to navigate
these categories. You will hear the following contains 8 items.
These are: smiley faces, animals, people, celebrations and
objects, food and plants, transportation and places, most
recently used. Press the Enter key on the section you want, then
use your arrow keys to select an emoji; then press the Enter key
on it to have it added into your document.
NVDA is now able to read descriptions for emoji as
well as other characters that are part of the Unicode Common
Locale Data Repository (#6523)
From NVDA 2018.4 onwards, if you find your emojis
are not spoken correctly, it may be a case (under the voice
settings section in NVDA) of locating a section called Include
Unicode Consortium data (including emoji) when processing
characters and symbols. This box may be unchecked. You may need
to check it.
For more information about this setting please see
the section in the user manual called Include Unicode Consortium
data (including emoji) when processing characters and symbols.
When this checkbox is enabled, NVDA will include
additional symbol pronunciation dictionaries when pronouncing
characters and symbols. These dictionaries contain descriptions
for symbols (particularly emoji) that are provided by the
Unicode Consortium as part of their Common Locale Data
Repository. If you want NVDA to speak descriptions of emoji
characters based on this data, you should enable this option.
However, if you are using a speech synthesizer that supports
speaking emoji descriptions natively, you may wish to turn this
off.
Note that manually added or edited character descriptions are saved as part of your user settings. Therefore, if you change the description of a particular emoji, your custom description will be spoken for that emoji regardless of whether this option is enabled.
To see other
categories of Emojis
When your most
recently used emojis list comes up, it may only contain 43
emojis in the list. To see other emoji categories, use the
Shift/Tab key. The first time you do this, it will land in a
search box where you can type in a name of one of the emojis.
Press the Enter key, and it will find one that matches your
search (if there is one in any of the various categories).
The next time you
Shift/Tab it will land you on the symbols section. Shift/Tab again and it will
land you on the transportation and places section. Shift/Tab
again and it will land you on the Food and plants section. Shift/Tab again and it will land you
on the celebrations and objects section. Shift/Tab again and
you will land on the People section. Shift/Tab again and you
will land on the Smiley faces and animals section. Shift/Tab
again and you should be taken back to the most recently used
section. In any of those sections, locate the emoji that you want (by using the arrow
keys), then press the Enter key on the one that you have
chosen.
Each time you press
the Enter key on an emoji, it will be added to your most
recently used section. Using the Tab key will take you back
through those sections in the opposite direction.
At present only E
speak and Windows one core voices will speak them. More synth
packages may be supported in the future.
To hear an audio
tutorial called How to add emojis in Windows 10 with NVDA,
please go to https://www.dropbox.com/s/z1xphbxg27xfuwp/How%20to%20add%20emojis%20in%20windows%2010%20with%20nvda.MP3?dl=0
I hope you have some
fun inserting emojis into your documents. 😊
There might be times when you need to use the
Windows magnifier, Narrator or even the ease of access centre to
setup your accessibility preferences in Windows. This might be
in the case that the text is too small and you need
magnification to see what is on the screen. Narrator (Windows
basic screen reader) can help you to get another screen reader
going from off a USB drive. There are other options in this
section you can also choose from.
If you would like to bring up the Ease of Access
centre (where you can choose your accessibility preferences),
you can use the Windows key + the letter U.
Under this section there are different
accessibility options you can choose from such as narrator,
magnifier, high contrast, close captions, settings keyboard,
mouse, and other options. Press the Enter key on the
option you want, then, tab through that section for other
options. If you miss a setting, you can also Shift + Tab back to
it.
Please note: If you are using a screen reader in
these sections, you might have to use the Enter key to go into a
section; use the Tab and Shift Tab keys to go between sections
of that application; the Spacebar or Enter key on buttons; the
Alt key + down arrow key for a combo box; and the Spacebar to
check a check box. Please note: sometimes you may need to press
Alt + Tab to bring the application into focus (for example when
using Windows Magnifier or Narrator).
If you would like to use the Windows magnifier
(without going through the ease of access centre) you could use
the Windows key + the +(plus) key on the numeric keypad.
This could be used if you need your screen
magnified. The Windows magnifier will do from 1 to 4 times
magnification.
When the magnifier comes up, you will be given some
options such as: zoom out, zoom in, view, options and help. You can Tab and Shift
Tab with a screen reader in this section. Under the view button,
when pressed, it will give you the following options: full
screen, lens, docked tab, preview full screen tab. Press the
Enter key on the option you want to use.
Under the Options button, you will be given the
following options: Set how much the view changes when zooming in
or out: 100%; Turn on colour inversion; Tracking follow the
mouse pointer; Follow the keyboard focus; Have Magnifier follow
the text insertion point; Fine tune what my screen fonts look
like link; and Control whether Magnifier starts when I sign in
link.
You can set the magnifier to load when Windows
starts.
If you would like to use Narrator without going
through the ease of access centre you can use the Windows key +
the Enter key.
This may be in a case where you need to get another
screen reader up and running on that computer, or trying to sort
out what has happened if your screen reader has stopped talking.
When this key combination is used, Narrator will
come up speaking. You will also be given other options to change
to your preference. For example General, change how Narrator
starts and other standard settings; Navigation, change how you
interact with your PC using Narrator; Voice, change the speed,
pitch or volume of the current voice or choose a new voice;
Commands, create your own keyboard commands; Minimize this
window and return to your app; Exit Narrator; get help link.
To close out of any of these sections if running you can use the Alt key + the F4 key.
In
the current master snapshot (that will be incorporated into the
upcoming NVDA 2017.3 release) or later, you will be able to use
the Microsoft OneCore voices with NVDA.
The
Windows 10 creators update version of Windows 1703 was used to
see some of the voices available.
Press
the Windows Start button. In the search box type reg and
from the results select Region & language settings, System
settings then press the Enter key.
Next,
tab until you locate Add a language, then press the Enter key.
Search for the language you wish to add. You can use the right
and left arrow keys to do this. Choose the language you would
like to add from the list of search results (for example
English) then press the Enter key on it. If you choose English,
press the Enter key and it will come up with some more results.
You can use the right and left arrow keys to pick a language
(for example Irish under the English section). Press the Enter
key on this. When you choose a language, you’ll be taken back to
the Region & Language settings page. You may have to tab
down a couple of times to get to the list of languages. These
can be arrowed through. Select the language you would like to
use (for example Irish) and press the Enter key.
Next,
tab until you select Options, then press the Enter key again. A
new screen will come up.
Select
the Download button. This is the first option if it is there.
NVDA will only say download, so you might have to use object
navigation to confirm it is the speech one. Use the NVDA key + 4
on the numeric keypad to do this, then go back to the download
button, then press the Enter key. This may be a second or third
option for other languages for the speech pack.
You
will then need to bring up the synth settings in NVDA with the
Ctrl key + NVDA key + the letter S. When it appears, arrow down
to the Windows OneCore voice synth, then press the Enter key.
After
this has been done, you will need to go to the voice settings
section in NVDA with the Ctrl key + NVDA key + the letter V. It should automatically
land on variant. Select your new voice using the down or up
arrow keys. You can then save your settings if you are happy
with the voice.
Please
note
Not
all language packs will have a download button to get a Windows
OneCore voice. They might only have language packs etcetera.
NVDA may need to be restarted to see the new One Core voices
that you have just installed.
Locate
where the list of languages have been downloaded to, select the
one you want to remove (with the down or up arrow keys), then
press the Enter key. You will need to tab a couple of times
until you get to the remove button, then press the Enter key.
Now when you go back to the list it has been removed. This will
only remove the language pack not the OneCore voice.
In this
tutorial you will learn how to control the sign in of user
directly into Local or Microsoft account at startup in
Windows 10.
Are you logging
into your computer each time you start Windows (for example
entering in a username and password)? If you would like to,
you can have Windows bypass this screen and go straight into
Windows.
1. Press
Windows + R keys and type netplwiz, click Ok to open User
Accounts.
2. Select the
User Name of the Microsoft account (email address) or local
account that you want to have Windows automatically sign in
to at startup.
3. Uncheck the
“Users must enter a username and password to use this
computer" box by pressing the spacebar, and then tab to Ok
and press Enter.
4. Enter the
password of the selected local account (or Microsoft
password) and confirm password text box, and click on Ok.
Instead of
arrowing through the list to the one you want after the list
of apps has come up, you can push the Tab key. NVDA will say
zero to nine. As you arrow down, you will hear NVDA say A
grouping, B grouping and so on. Locate the letter you want,
then press the Enter key twice. A list of all programs
starting with that letter will come up, then it is a matter
of arrowing down the list to the one you want. If you don’t
hear NVDA say folder collapsed, NVDA will take you straight
into that program. If you do hear NVDA say collapsed press
the enter key and the folder will be expanded. Then, it is a
matter of arrowing down the menus given. Locate the menu you
want then press the Enter key. You will be taken into
whatever section it points to.
The other way
you can do it (when the list of programs comes up) is after
you press the Tab key and
locate the letter you want -
like the letter M - is to Shift/Tab once, and it will
give you a list of all programs starting with the letter M.
Tab once and you will be put back into the list going from
zero to nine A to Z. NVDA will go back to the letter it was
pointing to.
To close a
program after you have gone into it, use the Alt key + the
F4 key.
If you press
the Shift/Tab key a few times, NVDA will take you in a
clockwise direction around the desktop. Tabbing (without
using the Shift key) will take you in an anti clockwise
direction around the desktop.
From where the
Start menu is on the far left (down the bottom) to the far
right (down the bottom) where the clock is - this is called
the Taskbar.
Where you hear
NVDA say running applications and it says the name of a
program (like Microsoft edge), you can arrow left and right
to pick the one you want, then press the Enter key to start
that application. The Windows key + the letter T will
quickly get you to this section.
The next time
you tab it should land you on the notification area. This
can be accessed quickly with the Windows key + the letter B.
Then it is a matter of arrowing left or right to pick the
application you want. In some cases the context menu key
might be needed to open it. If you don’t have a context key
on your keyboard, the shift key + the F10 key will do the
same thing then pressing the Enter key.
If you hear a notification read out by
NVDA, you can jump down to it quickly by using the Windows
key + the letter A. NVDA will land on the Windows action
centre. You can use your up and down arrow keys to see
what is there.
Locate the
program on the desktop you would like to pin to either the
start menu or taskbar (for example Mozilla Firefox).
Next either use
your context menu key or the shift + F10 key to bring up the
context menu. Arrow down the menus until you hear NVDA say
pin to start (p) or
pin to taskbar (k), then press the Enter key. Now the
program is in the location you chose.
If you chose to
do it from the all apps section where it gives you a whole
list of programs on your computer, it may give you some
other options. This may depend on the type of program it is
(for example metro title app or desktop).
If you wanted to put Mozilla Thunderbird
somewhere (which is a desktop program), locate it first
under the all apps section. You could use the context menu
on your keyboard to give you some options when pressed. If
this key is not on your keyboard you can use the shift
+F10 key to do the same. It may give you some options like
pin to start, more, or uninstall. There may be more
options under the more section (for example pin to
taskbar).
If you want to put a
shortcut onto your desktop in Windows 10 (from a program that
you use regularly), and it is not on your desktop, the easiest
way to do this is to press the Windows key + letter R. When the
Windows run dialogue box comes up, type in the following
shell:appsfolder then press the Enter key. A large list of
programs and apps will come up. You can use the single letter
navigation key to jump down quickly to each section (for example
press the letter M to jump down to programs starting with the
letter M). You can also use the arrow keys to have a closer
look. When you have located a program that you want, press the
Applications key until the context menu comes up. When it
appears, arrow up until you hear NVDA say create shortcut, then
press the Enter key. You will hear a message saying Shortcut,
Windows can't create a shortcut here. Do you want the shortcut
to be placed on the desktop instead? It will then give you the
option to have it put onto the desktop. Just tab to the yes
button, then press the Enter key. Now, the shortcut to that
program should be on your Desktop.
Are you aware that in Windows 10 there is a clipboard history feature which you can use? It will need to be turned on first. Press the Windows key and in the search box type clip. Not all the letters will need to be typed in and the following result should come up "Clipboard settings". Press the Enter key on this result and when the next page comes up you will need to locate the clipboard section in the list. You will need to tab first, then arrow down the list of items. When you have found the clipboard section, press the Enter key on it and then tab to clipboard history. You should hear the following spoken out "Save multiple items to the clipboard to use later". Press the Windows key + V to view your clipboard history and paste from it. You will need to press the button to do this. You can also have it sync across devices, just follow the directions to set it up.
Now you have this feature turned on, you can copy as many items to the clipboard as you like and they will stay there until they are removed.
To access the clipboard in Windows, press the Windows key + V. You can then arrow down or up the clipboard items that were copied there.
Make sure the word processor program is open, then when you arrow down the list press the Spacebar on the item you want.
Wherever the blinking cursor is within the word processor, is where it will paste the information to. If you decide at a later date in clipboard history you do not want anything there, you press (while it is open) the Windows key + V and as you arrow through you can simply hit the delete key. It should then be gone from the clipboard. Do this to each item you do not want anymore.
Please note: This may also still work in Windows 8.
You may be used to having various shortcut icons on your Desktop such as this PC, Recycle Bin, Control Panel etcetera, but did you know that some of the shortcuts can be added if they are not there?
Desktop
programs will have a menu across the top from left to right
and can be accessed by pressing the Alt key to get to the
file menu. It is a matter of using the left or right arrow
keys to go across the menus, and the down arrow keys to get
to the sub menus. This will also depend on whether or not
they are the old style menus or the ribbon menus as to how
you access them.
If there is
a program on your desktop (or under the all apps section),
this can be pinned to the start menu or taskbar section so
they can be accessed quickly.
Locate your
metro tile you want to uninstall. These are the programs
without the menu up the top that are found on desktop
programs (for example the camera metro tile). Please note
not all metro tile apps can be uninstalled. The camera app
is one of these.
It may be a
matter of going through the metro tiled apps to see which
ones can be uninstalled. For example the 3D builder app can
be uninstalled. To do this locate that app under the all
apps section. Use the shift key + the F10 key to give you
some options. A pop up Window will come up and you will be
given some options (for example pin to start, more and
uninstall). Locate the uninstall menu, then press the Enter
key and now it will be gone from the start apps list. The
start apps list is where all your metro tiled apps are.
When you go to
open File Explorer with the Windows key + the letter E you
will be presented with the following called quick access
view.
If you do not
like the Quick Access view, you can configure File Explorer
to open with This PC view.
In the search box when the Windows key is pushed, type control panel. You will end up in the control panel and be given a whole heap of options. Next, on your keyboard, press the letter F (so NVDA finds the File manager icon). Next, press the Enter key to be given more options. Under the general tab (which will be the first place NVDA lands on), you will hear NVDA say open file explorer to quick access. Next, arrow down until you hear NVDA say this PC. Next, tab until you hear NVDA say apply button; press the Enter key on this, then tab to the ok button, and press the Enter key. Now when you want to go into file manager with the Windows key + the letter E, you will have this PC view. Then, it is a matter of just finding your drives and so on. For example C:\ drive, D:\ drive E:\ drive and removable drives.
There is a
quick way to get into your Windows settings. Press the
Windows key + the letter I and your Windows settings will
appear below.
These settings
are broken up into 9 areas. These are: system, devices,
network and internet, personalisation, accounts, time and
language, ease of access, privacy, and update and security.
They are then
broken up into subsections. To go into any of the main
settings, press the Enter key. You can then use the down and
up arrow keys to pick a subsection.
To go into
any of the subsections, press the Enter key, then press the
Tab key to go through the different settings for that
section. If you keep on tabbing it will take you back to
where you started. The home key will take you back to the
main 9 sections.
There may be
certain apps you want to make default. These might be for
playing music, which browser to use and so on. Press the
Windows key + the letter I. When you hear the settings menu
come up, locate the System icon. Press the Enter key to go
into the subsections of this system section. Arrow down to
default apps, then press the Enter key. You can now tab
through the different sections. As you tab you will hear
NVDA say button. You might hear NVDA say email Thunderbird
button, maps button, music player button, and so on. If one
of these sections does not have anything chosen, you will
hear NVDA say photo viewer choose a default. Press the
spacebar, then you will be given some options (for example
movie maker, paint photo gallery and so on). Locate the one
you want, then press the Enter key, and that will become the
default program for that section.
After you have
made all of your choices, tab to the home button, then press
the Enter key. You can now use the Alt key + the F4 key to
close the Windows settings section.
If you use the
backspace button, you can go back to the settings home page.
Type on any
page with search box to search for settings.
The defaults
for each program can also be adjusted under the control
panel section…set default program section.
If you would like
to use Cortana with Windows and would like to speak to your
assistant audibly you will need a mic.
Windows logo key
+ S Open search
Windows logo key
+ C Open Cortana in listening mode
Please note:
Cortana is only available in certain countries/regions, and
some Cortana features might not be available everywhere. If
Cortana isn't available or is turned off, you can still use
search.
In some
cases you may want to work with more than one desktop. This
might be used in the case of copying two lots of files at
the same time or running different application in a separate
desktop.
Instead of
keeping everything open on the same desktop, you can move
some of your windows to a virtual desktop to get them out of
the way.
Windows logo
key + Tab Open Task view
Windows logo
key + Ctrl + D Add a virtual desktop
Windows logo
key + Ctrl + Right arrow Switch between virtual desktops
you’ve created on the right
Windows logo
key + Ctrl + Left arrow Switch between virtual desktops
you’ve created on the left
Windows logo
key + Ctrl + F4 Close the virtual desktop you’re using
Exercise:
Try creating a new desktop, then try and move between the
two of them. So, you know the difference between the two of
them? Open a couple of applications in the first desktop,
then create the second one. Can you hear the difference?
Have there ever
been times when you have been on a web page or in a document
and wished it could be made into a PDF document, (so that it
can be used on a phone or a PDF viewer for later reference)?
If you have
typed up a document and brought it up in your word processor
while it is in view press the Ctrl key + the letter P. This
will bring up the print dialogue for that program.
NVDA should
default to the section where your printer is. You will need
to locate printer grouping. This is where it will give you
different options for printing. You can arrow down or up the
list. If you are in the right area you should hear your
printer name and so on. Locate the Microsoft print to PDF
option. Make sure you choose it then tab to the ok button,
then press the Enter key. A save print output as dialogue
will come up. NVDA will default to the file name edit box.
Here, you can give it a name. Tab around until you hear NVDA
say address. This will be where the PDF document will go
(for example Desktop). This can be redirected to any part on
your computer if you choose to. Shift tab back until you
hear NVDA say save button, then press the Enter key. Now
your PDF document will be saved to that location (for
example to the desktop).
You will
need a program like Adobe reader DC to open the PDF
document. When it is open it can be read by NVDA.
Are you aware
that Windows has its own anti virus program built in? Most
times when you buy a new computer, there is a trial anti
virus program on it. There are some exceptions like AVG.
If you would
like to put Windows Defender on to your desktop, in the
search box on the Start menu type in control panel. When the
control panel loads, locate the Windows Defender icon. Use
either the Windows context key (which is found on most
keyboards to open the context menu). If your keyboard does
not have one of these you can use the Shift key + the F10
key to do the same thing. When the context menu comes up
with some options, arrow to create shortcut, then press the
Enter key. NVDA will tell you when the message comes up
saying Windows can not create a shortcut here, do you want
the shortcut to be put on the desktop? Just say yes and the
shortcut will now be on the Desktop.
It is a matter
of locating the program after that and opening it to use it.
It might have to be turned on as well as it is usually
turned off if another antivirus program is on the computer.
When you do go to use Windows Defender, in most cases you
will be tabbing around the screen. You will also have to use
the arrow keys to get to other parts of it as well.
Experiment with both the arrow keys and tab keys to see
where it takes you. You will build up a picture pretty
quickly of the layout of the program.
In order to get
best performance out of your computer, you should always
keep it fine tuned. One such app which helps maintain your
computer is Disk Cleanup. Disk Cleanup will clear
unwanted files like temporary files, recycle bin files,
system files, Windows old files etcetera and help you run
your system faster.
Apart from
cleaning up your hard drive of unwanted files, Disk Cleanup
can also be used to compress files and free up additional
space on your hard drive.
Using the
compression feature, Disk Cleanup will compress old files
which have not been accessed for a long time (hence freeing
up additional space on the hard drive).
Note: It
takes longer to access a compressed file when compared to an
uncompressed file.
Every now and
again you need to clean up your hard drive on your computer.
In the Windows search box on the Start menu type in the first two letters cl. Windows will come up with some search results (for example disk clean up and so on). Locate the disk clean up result then press the Enter key. When the disk cleanup application appears, it will ask you to select a drive.You can use the down or up arrow keys to select a drive (for example c:\ drive).
Tab to the Ok
button, then press the Enter key.
Windows will
come up with a list of stuff (in check boxes) and will tell
you how much space can be saved if those items are deleted
from those sections.
When you
hear the above message come up telling you how much space
you can save, you can arrow down or up the list presented.
It is a matter of either checking the boxes if they are
unchecked with the spacebar or if they are checked and you
don’t want them done use the spacebar to uncheck them. Once
done, tab to the Ok button and press the Enter key. Windows
will come up with another message saying Disk Cleanup Are
you sure you want to permanently delete these files?. NVDA
will default to the delete button then it is just a matter
of pressing the Enter key so it can start the process of
cleaning up the computer.
To open the
settings app, press the Windows key + the letter I. When the
settings app appears, locate the system icon then press the
Enter key.
Next, locate
the App & features icon, then press the Enter key.
Browse for the
app you want to. Next Tab until you hear NVDA say the name
of a program on your computer (for example 3D builder).
Programs can
also be uninstalled under the Control Panel section, under a
section called program and features icon.
You will have
noticed just about every time you have gone to install a new
program you will get a message asking you if you really want
to install it to your computer. NVDA will speak out this
screen when it pops up. It is a matter of tabbing through it
and pressing Enter on the yes button so the program can be
installed. If no is chosen, the program will not be
installed.
The default
setting is set to 67 percent. If you would like to turn this
off altogether in the search box on the start menu type
inuac. Windows will come up with some results and pick the
one that says Change User Account Control settings, Control
panel then press the Enter key.
NVDA will land
on the tell me more about user account settings link. Press
the Enter key on this to find out more about this setting.
Tab once and
then you will hear NVDA say notification level slider 67.
You can use the arrow keys to adjust this to a new level.
Depending on which arrow keys you use, the up arrow key
increases the level, and the down arrow key lowers the
level. While the left arrow key increases the level, and the right
arrow key lowers the level.
When you
increase or lower the level of notification, you will have
to Tab, then Shift Tab back to the slider to see what it has
been adjusted to. You will have to do this each time if you
want to know the new level it has gone to.
The top level
is 100 percent which means the UAC screen would come up all
the time while if it is set to 0, it will not come up at
all.
Next Tab down
to the Ok button then press the Enter key.
The next thing
that will happen is the UAC screen will come up about
changing the setting. Tab to the Yes button then press the
Enter key. Your new setting will now take effect.
To change any
of your auto play settings (from what they have been set to)
you can do it either one of two ways. The first way is doing
it through the Windows settings app. To do it this way press
the Windows key + the letter I. When the Windows setting app
appears, locate the device icon, then press the Enter key.
The next screen that comes up, arrow until you hear NVDA say
autoplay, then press the Enter key. Next, tab once and you
will hear NVDA say Use AutoPlay for all media and devices.
Make sure this key is pressed. If it is not it can be done
by pressing the spacebar. If this button is unpressed,
none of your autoplay menus will work. Next use the Tab key
until you hear NVDA say removable drive. There is a combo
box there where you can change your settings. Use the Alt
key + the down arrow key to open the combo box, then arrow
to the option you want (for example open folder to view
files). Make your selection then tab once and that item will
be selected for you. NVDA will automatically default to the
next combo box and read out the section it is in.
For a more
comprehensive section where you have more options, go to the
Control Panel in Windows. Locate the auto play menu then
press the Enter key. The next screen that will come up will
give you far more options to play around with.
The first
option you will hear is NVDA say Use AutoPlay for all media
and devices. If you want the auto play menu to work make
sure the checkbox is checked.
As you tab
through the different sections and adjust them you can set
different programs to play that media (if it is present on your
computer). For example DVD movie Play DVD movie (VideoLAN
VLC media player).
There may be
other programs that you could use under each section like
Windows Media player. Each section will be different as to
what it may offer. When you tab through these sections, they
are in combo boxes. Use the Alt + down arrow key to open
them. Arrow to what you want and then tab. NVDA will then go
to the next combo box.
If you would
like NVDA to run from a CD in the following section called
Software and games the setting will have to be changed to Install or run
program from your media. Make sure you save your settings by
pressing the Enter key on the save button. Any of the
options can be changed at a later date, or you can reset the
whole section back to defaults.
Each file on your computer will have a file extension
which is hidden by default. If you would like these file
extensions to be shown so you know what they are and what
type of file it is while on the Desktop, press the Windows
key + the letter E. The next screen that comes up will be
the quick access screen. This might be different if it has
been changed to my PC. Next, press the Alt key until the
file menu comes up. Next, arrow right until you get to the
View tab, then press the space bar. Start tabbing down the
list of options until you hear NVDA say File name
extensions, Show or hide the set of characters added to
the end of files that identifies the file type or format.
Make sure you check the checkbox with the spacebar. After
the checkbox has been checked, you can now close the
screen. You can use the Alt key + the F4 key to do this.
Now whenever you look at any of your files on your
computer, it will show the file extensions (for example If
I could turn back time.mp3 or electricity bill.pdf).
Using the Ribbon
Interface in Windows via the Keyboard
(tutorials by Brian Vogel)
The
ribbons in Windows, whether in File Explorer or specific
programs like MS-Word or others, are really just another
variant on a menu system that has as its intention making
the most commonly used items “front and center” for fast
access.
Many of the things
you already know for using a menu-driven system still
apply for accessing the ribbons. In the old-style
menus you hit ALT plus the appropriate letter to drop down
that menu. In
the ribbon system you hit ALT plus the appropriate letter
to open a specific tab that shows the ribbon you need to
access.
Every blessed
option on a ribbon has a direct keyboard shortcut to
activate it, so it is worth learning what your own
“greatest hits” generally are and what their keyboard
shortcuts are to save yourself a lot of time. That being said,
we all occasionally have to use a feature that we seldom
use, so on occasion a brute force “tab by tab” search,
either through a whole ribbon or within select groups on a
given ribbon might be needed.
One big difference
between using the old-style menu system and ribbons is
that the up, down, left, and right arrow keys were your
primary navigation keys for menus. They are not
for ribbon navigation.
Your primary navigation key is the TAB key, along
with CTRL+Right Arrow (or Left Arrow) if you wish to jump
from ribbon group to ribbon group.
What follows will
use File Explorer
as the program and its various buttons and ribbons. This is from a
system running Windows 10, Version 1607 (the Anniversary
Update), Build 14393.187.
I do not recall having customized File Explorer in
any way, so this should apply to File Explorer in its “out
of the box” state. The
principles of navigation of the ribbon apply in any
program that uses one, but the buttons and ribbons in
other programs obviously differ.
Just like it always
has been with menus so it remains with tabs/ribbons that
pressing ALT throws focus to the controls. Of course,
controls are context sensitive and so which are available
versus which are not directly depends on the item or items
you have selected in the File Explorer window. The primary
choices after hitting ALT are:
·
F for the File Tab, which
does not have a ribbon but does have a number of controls
·
H for the Home Tab, which
is by far and away the one that gets the most use
·
S for the Share Tab
·
V for the View Tab
·
1 for the properties
dialog if you have a file or folder selected. Can also be
invoked using ALT+Enter instead
·
2 for the New Folder
button. Can
also be invoked using CTRL+Shift+N instead
·
E to invoke the Windows
Help function for File Explorer. Opens a web
browser window in whatever browser you’ve set up as your
default.
The Structure of Tabs & Ribbons
Most
Tabs have a single ribbon, though some have none and are
more “menu-like” structure with a collection of controls
that are not split into groups/toolbars. The File Tab is
like this. Since
the Home Tab and its ribbon get the heavy-duty workload
the vast majority of the time I will focus on it as my
primary in-depth example.
The following will presume that you’ve already hit
ALT followed by H and have the Home Tab open.
To move directly in
to the ribbon hit the down arrow key once, or hit the TAB
key four times, as it traverses some controls on the
window prior to entering the ribbon. You will now be
sitting in the Clipboard group/toolbar of the ribbon on
the Pin to Quick Access control (which will be inactive
unless you have a file or folder selected in the main pane
of the window). The
Home Ribbon is broken in to 5 toolbars/control groups,
left to right these are:
1. Clipboard
2. Organize
3. New
4. Open
5. Select
Almost every
control has a keyboard shortcut to invoke it. The exceptions
are those that involve selection from a table/list for a
setting, and these have a keyboard shortcut to take you
straight into the selection for that control and you can
use TAB to traverse those selections.
You can use the TAB
key to do a control-by-control traversal of the entire
ribbon. The
screen reader will announce when you have traversed from
one toolbar/control group into the next. You can also do
a quick jump from wherever you might be within a given
toolbar to the first control of the next (or previous)
toolbar using CTRL+Right Arrow (Left Arrow). When you are
moving from control to control via the TAB key you will
have the control announced along with the keyboard
sequence (coupled with the ALT followed by letter that
you’ve already entered) that would be used to invoke it
directly.
Clipboard Toolbar/Control Group
Contains
the following controls, I will note the direct keyboard
sequence that would follow the ALT followed by H if you
wish to invoke it directly within square brackets. Some are single
characters while others are two characters that must be
typed rapidly :
·
Pin to Quick Access – if
a file or folder is selected will be active and will do
precisely what its name states. [PI]
·
Copy [CO] You can
also use the CTRL+C keyboard shortcut to copy (which I
always do).
·
Paste [V] You can also use
the CTRL+V keyboard shortcut to paste (which I always do).
·
Cut [T] You can also use
the CTRL+X keyboard shortcut to cut (again, which I always
do).
·
Copy Path [CP] Copies the
full path to the file(s) or folder(s) selected to the
clipboard.
·
Paste Shortcut [PS] If you did a
previous copy on a file, using Paste Shortcut will do what
it says, paste a shortcut (symbolic link) to the original
file in the folder you’re sitting in rather than an actual
duplicate copy of the file.
Short
List of Commonly Used Key Sequences for Ribbon
Navigation
·
ALT plus appropriate
letter: Throw
focus on a specific tab that contains the ribbon you need to
use. For
example, in MS-Word, ALT+F for File Tab or ALT+H for Home
Tab.
·
Down Arrow, struck once. In File Explorer
this puts you into the ribbon without having to go through a
couple of controls that are part of the File Explorer window
itself. You can
also use this in any other program as well, but often TAB
will work. I want people to be aware of this exception
primarily for File Explorer since it requires four TAB
presses to achieve what a single down arrow press does.
·
TAB – this is your primary
control to control navigation key. It’s great if you
don’t know where something happens to be and need to listen
for the control and its shortcut character or characters.
·
CTRL+Right Arrow (or
Left Arrow) move
to the next (or previous) group of controls. In the old menu
system many menu items had submenus and in the ribbon system
most controls are grouped together based on their functions,
but all are visible. If
you know that the group you’re in definitely isn’t what
you’re looking for you can quickly jump to the next or
previous group rather than having to tab your way through
each and every control.
Learning the actual keyboard
shortcuts for functions that you use all the time will
save you a lot of time and effort. For instance, if
you use bullet lists in your Microsoft Word documents on a
routine basis it’s a lot easier to hit, ALT+H,U, then down
arrow through the bullet styles to choose the one you want
than to hit ALT+H, CTRL+Right Arrow three times to get to
the Paragraph control grouping, Enter to open the bullet
list dialog (which happens to be the first control in the
Paragraph group), then down arrowing through the bullet
styles. Also
using keyboard shortcuts like CTRL+B to toggle bold type
on/off, CTRL+I for italic, and CTRL+U for underline, is
much faster than hunting for these in the Font Group via
ribbon navigation.