Accessing Windows safe mode with
a screen reader
This tutorial will show you how to go into and
out of Windows safe mode with a screen reader. Depending on which
way you go, you will either need to install a patch for Windows 7
to Windows 10, or you might be able to use an external USB card
with a headset/speakers or a USB headset.
The tools needed
An external USB sound card with a 3.5mm hole for
a headset to go into. These will also have a microphone hole.
A headset with a 3.5 mm plug, to plug into the external USB sound
card headset hole or speaker hole on the computer/laptop
(depending on which way you go).
Laptop or PC running Windows with the NVDA screen reader
installed.
If you have a USB headset, this can be used instead of an external
USB sound card.
The USB external sound card and USB headset have not been tested
with NVDA on Windows 7, 8 or 10. The USB external sound card with
speakers/headset and a USB multimedia headset was used with
Windows 11 24h2 for the tutorial.
The NVDA screen reader was used for this tutorial.
Why would I want to go into safe
mode in Windows?
Safe mode allows you to attempt to fix any
potential issues that were not occurring previously. Some issues
can only be corrected by going into safe mode.
What is safe mode?
Safe mode is a troubleshooting option for
Windows that starts your computer
in a limited state. Only the basic files and drivers necessary to
run Windows are started.
Safe mode is useful for troubleshooting problems with programs and
drivers that might not start correctly or that might prevent
Windows from starting correctly.
To use NVDA in safe mode
Windows 7, 8 and 10 patch for
Windows
This patch is used so it activates your internal
sound card, so the 3.5mm hole is activated when plugging in a
headset or speakers.
You will need to install a registry patch first. This file can be
found at https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1bwmtw3prdn6esdqixb79/Activate_Sound_in_Win10_Safe_Mode.zip?rlkey=s3ukn9j71qjkp4v5af1rbhfv2&dl=1
Please note: This patch is only for Windows 7, 8 and 10 users,
using a 3.5mm plug with a headset or speakers.
After it has been installed, it will allow you to use NVDA in safe
mode. This has been tested on a Windows 7 and
Windows 10 machine and with quite a few different sound cards.
Please note
Under the boot tab, when you check safe mode,
you will then need to arrow down to either minimal or network
depending on your needs. If the safe mode box is not checked you
will not see those options.
Please see the tutorial on how to go in and out of Windows safe
mode with a screen reader below. They are the same steps from
Windows 7 right up to Windows 11.
Just in case it does not work on your computer or laptop, have a
sighted person nearby to help you if it does not work for you.
How to get into and out of Windows safe mode with the NVDA screen
reader
In this tutorial both a USB headset and an external USB sound card
was used in Windows 11.
Make sure your external USB card is plugged into a USB hole on the
computer or laptop, then plug your headset into the headphone jack
on the external USB card. In this tutorial, there was a cable with
a USB plug on one end and on the other end was a place where I
could plug in the headset.
Sometimes if you get an external USB card, they may stop other USB
devices from being plugged in beside them; these are the ones that
are one solid piece.
Next, press the Windows key, and in the search box type msconfig A
search result should come up saying system configuration, then
press the Enter key.
The next screen that comes up should give you some options.
If you press the NVDA key + letter T you will hear NVDA say system
configuration (if it is not spoken out first).
You can use the following keys Tab key, Shift Tab key and the
arrow keys, along with the Enter key and Spacebar and maybe the
Escape key.
The Ctrl + Tab key will put you on the boot tab if used.
Use the Shift/Tab key until you hear NVDA say General tab. Next,
arrow to the boot tab. Tab down to the safe boot check box and
press the Spacebar on it to check it. Next, tab down to base video
and check that box as well. Tab down to the apply button, then
press the Enter key. Tab to the Ok button, then press the Enter
key. You will then be asked to restart the PC, and when Windows
comes back up, you should hear NVDA speaking in the headset.
Confirming you are in Windows safe
mode
To confirm that you are in safe mode, when NVDA
is talking while on the Desktop, change NVDA into the screen
review mode. Use the NVDA key + number 7 on the numeric keypad.
Use the number 7 on the numeric keypad to go up the screen; where
you should hear that you are in safe mode and the version number
of Windows that is being used.
To go back out of Windows safe mode
Repeat the process to go into Windows safe mode
as mentioned above.
Locate the Boot tab, then tab down until you hear safe mode and
uncheck that box with the Spacebar. Next, tab back down to the
Apply button, then press the Enter key. Tab again until you hear
the Ok button, then do the same. You will be asked to reboot the
computer or laptop. Say yes to it, then if you are using speakers
plugged in to your computer when Windows starts up, you should
hear the sound through them again.
To listen to an audio tutorial showing how to access Windows safe
mode with a screen reader, and then exiting Windows safe mode
again, please visit the following download. (This was recorded
using NVDA 2024.4 and Windows 11 24H2). The audio tutorial can be
downloaded from my dropbox account at https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ew3yz3hvvp1xrel2ac55/accessing_windows_safe_mode_with_a_screen_reader.MP3?rlkey=iak4yq6k9x4zkqje97o1mp3at&dl=1