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To change the shortcut modifier used by Magnifier’s reading feature, open Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier, scroll to Reading, and choose a modifier key. Windows documents Ctrl+Alt as the default. This changes Magnifier’s reading shortcuts—not Narrator’s own keyboard commands.
Change the Magnifier reading modifier in Settings
Use the mouse or another pointing device:
- Open Start > Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier.
- Scroll down to Reading.
- Open the modifier dropdown and select the key combination you want.
The selected modifier is used with Magnifier’s reading commands. Microsoft’s current Windows 11 instructions use the Accessibility settings path above; older Windows versions may show different labels.
Change the modifier with the keyboard and Narrator
If you need to navigate without a mouse, Microsoft documents this sequence:
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- Press Windows logo key+Ctrl+M to open Magnifier settings.
- Press Tab until Narrator announces “Reading, choose a modifier key” and the currently selected option.
- Press Enter to open the menu.
- Use the Up or Down arrow key to find the option you want.
- Press Enter to select it and close the menu.
What the Magnifier reading modifier controls
Magnifier uses the chosen modifier with several reading commands. The documented default is Ctrl+Alt; the commands below use whichever modifier you selected.
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| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Start, pause, or resume reading | Modifier+Enter |
| Stop reading | Press any key |
| Start reading at the pointer | Modifier+left mouse click |
| Read the previous sentence | Modifier+H |
| Read the next sentence | Modifier+K |
To turn Magnifier on, press Windows logo key+Plus; to turn it off, press Windows logo key+Esc. Windows logo key+Ctrl+M opens its settings.
Avoid conflicts with Narrator shortcuts
The Magnifier reading modifier and Narrator’s screen-reader shortcuts are separate controls. Microsoft advises against choosing the same key for both, because their shortcuts can conflict. Magnifier’s documented default is Ctrl+Alt. Narrator’s documented defaults are Caps Lock and Insert; on a Japanese 106-key keyboard, they are Insert and NonConvert. Narrator’s key can be changed in Narrator settings.
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Magnifier also has an option to follow the Narrator cursor. That setting controls what Magnifier tracks; it does not change the reading modifier.
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If you meant a Narrator keyboard command
Changing a Narrator command is a different task from changing Magnifier’s reading modifier. In Narrator settings, choose the command, select Change command keyboard shortcut, and type the shortcut you want. Restore all default returns Narrator commands to their defaults. This does not alter Magnifier’s reading modifier.
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