Using the new
Chromium powered Microsoft Edge browser with the NVDA screen
reader
There is a saying out with the old and in with
the new. You would've seen that the earlier version of Microsoft
Edge was an app on the Windows 10 operating system. The new
Microsoft Edge will be a chromium based browser. You can download
a desktop version of the browser from the following web page at
https://www.microsoftedgeinsider.com/en-us/?form=MO12FO&OCID=MO12FO
Your device has to meet the specifications for it to work.There
will be more versions of it for other operating systems later on.
After you have downloaded it and set it up, when you go to open
it, you should notice some of the following: In the title bar of
the page it will say Microsoft Edge dev. (this is the
developers channel which gets updated once a week). Down the
track, it is believed to be going into Windows, so the dev should
disappear.
When you press the Alt key, you will notice that it will have a
drop down menu similar to the Google Chrome browser.
You will need to arrow down the main menus, and if there is a sub
menu, NVDA will mention it. Then, it is a matter of using the
right arrow key (to open the sub menu), then arrow down to see
what is there. Use the left arrow key to close the menu or the
Enter key to open that menu.
There is also a read aloud menu, so the web page can be read out
to you. If you are dyslexic or simply just want it (the web page)
read out to you, the feature will cut out unneccessary information
and read out the story only. When the story starts, you can adjust
the speed it is reading it out to you, change to another voice if
you do not like the default voice, or simply just have it read a
paragraph.
Cast to another
device
Under the more tools menu, you can also cast to
another device.
You will need a compatible device to cast it to. If one is shown
(like a Google Chromecast for video or a Google smart speaker for
audio) select it, then you can cast to it.
Shortcut keys
All menus are read out by NVDA. You can also use
NVDA's quick navigation keys on web pages within the browser.
This also includes (under the settings menu) the ability to jump
down by headings to each section. Only certain quick navigation
keys are supported in this section. Some examples are as follows:
C for combo boxes, D for land marks, E for editable fields, F for
form fields, K for links, R for radio buttons, U for unvisited
links, H for headings, and B for buttons.
The NVDA keys you might also use are NVDA key + T to read
the title bar of the web page, NVDA key + F7 key to bring up the
elements list, the NVDA key + down arrow key to read the web page,
along with NVDA's quick navigation keys.
Some shortcut keys that may be of use to you in the browser. These
are:
Alt + left arrow key to go back a page
Alt + right arrow key to go forwards a page. This is only if you
open a new page each time when you have been to it first.
If you use tab browsing, where each new page is a tab, use the
Ctrl key + 1 to 9.
Ctrl + D Bookmark this page
Ctrl + J to get to your download manager
Ctrl + T New tab
Ctrl + N New window
Ctrl + P Print
Ctrl + L or Alt + D to go to the location bar where you can type
in a web address.
Alt + F then U to go to the read aloud menu, then it will start
reading.
Alt + F then S to go to the settings menu
Alt + F then L then C to go to the cast menu
Sending feedback to
Microsoft
Under the help section, there is a menu called
send feedback to Microsoft. When you go into this section, it will
ask you what is happening. It will ask for the URL that you were
having the problem with. It will also ask you for your email
address. Send the information and include a screen shot if
possible. There should be a send button to send the
information that you filled out or checked. They will need as much
information as possible and the steps that you took, in order to
attempt to recreate the problem.
The problem could be on the website end, in the browser, or a
problem with your adaptive technology software.
Searching for
settings in the browser under settings
You can also search for different sections from
the top of the page.
Locate the search box, then type in what you want to search for.
It will then come up with some results. Then, it is a matter of
seeing which one/s suit your needs.
Changing your search
engine
Locate the settings menu, then press the Enter
key. On the next screen (where your settings are), locate the
search engine section. (If this does not appear, you may need to
search for it in the search box at the top of the settings
screen). Next, arrow down and you should hear NVDA say Search
engine used in the address bar. Just under it will be a combo box.
It should say the name of the search engine being used. Press the
Enter key on it, then use the Alt key + down arrow key to open it.
Then, arrow down to the search engine you want, then press the
Enter key on it. Now, your search engine should be changed.
Under the manage search engine section, is where you can change
search engines, add more of them, or remove them from the browser.
You will need to choose the more actions button, then it will give
you the option to make default or remove it.
Setting a Homepage
To put in your home page, open Microsoft Edge,
then use the Alt key to open the file menu. Next, arrow down to
settings, then press the Enter key. When the next screen comes up,
jump down to the on start up link section. Press the Enter key.
You will then need to use the letter H to jump down by headings,
to see what is in that section.
Next, arrow down until you hear NVDA say the following: Open a
specific page or pages. Press the spacebar to highlight the radio
button. Just under it will be a button to open a new page. Press
the Enter key or Spacebar on it. In the edit box, type in your
home page you want to open.
After you have entered in the new home page, arrow to the add
button, then press either the Spacebar or Enter key to save your
homepage.
Checking your
download status and where to find your download
When you have clicked on a file to download
it, you can check its status by pressing the Ctrl key + the letter
J. This will bring up the download manager and will also show the
files you have downloaded. You can change back from this tab with
the Ctrl key + 1 on the qwerty keyboard. To quickly get back to
it, while it is open, use the Ctrl key + 2 on the main qwerty
keyboard.
Under the downloads section, you can also decide where you want
the files to go. The default is the downloads folder. If you want
to change it, locate the settings menu, then press the Enter key.
When the next page comes up with all the settings, navigate to the
advanced button. Press the Spacebar or Enter key on it, then
locate the downloads section. Next, arrow down and you will hear
the name of the downloads folder being read out. Arrow to the
change button, then press the Spacebar or Enter key on it. It is a
lot easier (when the next section comes up) to Shift/Tab a few
times until you hear tree view. Then, use the arrow keys to
navigate to where you want them to go.
Just below that section is a button that says the following: Ask
where to save each file before downloading. If this is pressed, it
will ask you every time where you want the file to go to instead
of just downloading it to a specified folder or place.