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To make a Windows 11 computer speak what is on screen, turn on Narrator, the built-in screen reader. Press Windows logo key + Ctrl + Enter, then navigate through the app, page, or document you want to hear. Change its voice and speaking speed in Settings > Accessibility > Narrator.
Choose the Windows feature that fits your goal
| Feature | What it does | How you interact with it |
|---|---|---|
| Narrator | Reads interface and document content and helps you navigate Windows, apps, and the web. | Use keyboard navigation; Narrator announces content as you move through it. |
| Magnifier | Enlarges on-screen content and can read text aloud on demand. | Use its read-aloud capability when you want speech alongside visual enlargement. |
| Voice access | Controls the PC and lets you dictate or edit text with spoken commands; it is not a screen reader. | Speak commands to the computer. It can work with Narrator for some commands, but not every Voice access feature works with a screen reader. |
Narrator is included in Windows 11, so you do not need to install or buy a separate tool for basic screen reading. For a full-screen reading experience and keyboard navigation, start with Narrator. Choose Magnifier if you also want enlarged content; use Voice access when your goal is spoken PC control or dictation.
Turn on Narrator and hear on-screen text
- Press Windows logo key + Ctrl + Enter to start Narrator. You can also open Settings > Accessibility > Narrator and switch Narrator on.
- Go to the app, web page, or document you want to hear. Move through its content with the keyboard; Narrator reads and announces what you encounter.
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Narrator to select an available voice and adjust the speech rate.
Narrator is a screen reader, not a standalone player for a passage pasted into a box. It reads as you navigate content on screen. For detailed keyboard and Narrator controls, see Microsoft’s Narrator guide.
Change the voice or download a natural voice
Available voices and languages depend on your Windows version and installed features. In Narrator settings, choose from the voices offered on your PC and adjust the speech rate to a comfortable pace. The current Microsoft guide describes an Add a natural voice option at Settings > Accessibility > Narrator > Add a natural voice. It lists HD voices for US English, French, and Chinese; availability can vary by Windows version and rollout.
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After a Natural Narrator voice has been downloaded, it supports on-device text-to-speech and does not require an internet connection to use. Microsoft’s Narrator guide covers current voice options and setup.
Use Magnifier for speech and enlargement
If you want to make text larger while listening, use Windows Magnifier. It can enlarge on-screen content and read text aloud on demand. This is a better fit than relying on Narrator alone when visual magnification is part of what you need. See Microsoft’s accessibility guidance for details.
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Understand how Voice access differs from Narrator
Voice access listens to you: it is for controlling Windows and speaking text you want to create or edit. Narrator speaks to you: it reads and announces screen content. Microsoft documents that Voice access can issue some Narrator commands, including “read selection,” but some Voice access functions do not work when using it with a screen reader.
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Voice access has a separate language setup. Its initial setup requires an internet connection to download language files; its on-device speech recognition can work offline afterward. Supported languages and dialects are specific, so check Microsoft’s Voice access setup and support page if you need a particular language.
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