Accessibility in Microsoft Products

Comparison of Accessibility Features in Various Versions of Windows

Microsoft Windows accessibility features are listed below. If a tutorial is available to help you adjust options related to the feature, the feature name is linked. Select the name of the product at the top of the column to display a full list of tutorials for the product. In some cases, tutorials for one version of a product will also help you adjust the feature in another version for which a tutorial is not available. See also Accessibility Guide to Transitioning to Windows 7.

Features Related To: Windows 7 Windows Vista Windows XP
All Accessibility Areas Accessibility Features Loaded by Default Accessibility Features Loaded by Default Accessibility Features Loaded by Default
Apply settings to logon desktop Automatic Reset Automatic Reset
Ease of Access Center Ease of Access Center Accessibility Wizard
Keyboard Shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts
Fast User Switching Fast User Switching Fast User Switching
Get recommendations to make your computer easier to use Get recommendations to make your computer easier to use Accessibility Wizard
Make accessibility settings default for new users Make accessibility settings default for new users Accessibility Settings Applied for New Users
Notification (sound and visual) Notification (sound and visual) Notification (sound and visual)
Online Accessibility Help Online Accessibility Help Online Accessibility Help
Save Accessibility Settings to File Save Accessibility Settings to File  
Speech Recognition Speech Recognition Speech Recognition
User Profiles User Profiles  
Windows Touch    
Vision Click Lock (included in Mouse Options) Click Lock (included in Mouse Options) Click Lock
Cursor width Cursor width Cursor width
High Contrast Schemes High Contrast Schemes High Contrast Schemes
Magnifier (now with lens mode and improved magnification) Magnifier (magnification improved and more powerful magnification) Magnifier
Mouse Keys Mouse Keys Mouse Keys
Narrator Narrator Narrator
Personalized appearance (including changing text size without losing graphics quality) Personalized appearance Personalize
Pointer Schemes Pointer Schemes Pointer Schemes
Pointer Speed & Acceleration Pointer Speed & Acceleration Pointer Speed Control
Pointer Visibility: Show Pointer Trails, Hide Pointer While Typing, Show Location of Pointer Pointer Visibility: Show Pointer Trails, Hide Pointer While Typing, Show Location of Pointer Pointer Visibility: Display Pointer Trails, Hide the Pointer While Typing, Show Location of Pointer
Scalable User Interface Elements Scalable User Interface Elements Scalable User Interface Elements
What happened to Serial Keys? What happened to Serial Keys? Serial Keys
Snap To (included in Mouse Options) Snap To (included in Mouse Options) Snap To
Sound notification (Sound Sentry) Sound notification (Sound Sentry) SoundSentry
Sound Schemes Sound Schemes Sound Schemes
ToggleKeys ToggleKeys Toggle Keys
Hearing Notification (visual) Notification (visual) Sound Sentry
What happened to Serial Keys? What happened to Serial Keys? Serial Keys
Sound Volume Control Sound Volume Control Sound Volume Control
Text or visual alternatives for sound Text or visual alternatives for sound Sound Sentry
Turn on text captions Turn on text captions ShowSounds
Microsoft Office Live Windows Meeting Space NetMeeting, Windows Messenger
Dexterity and Mobility Click Lock (included in Mouse Options) Click Lock (included in Mouse Options) Click Lock
Configure mouse for right- or left-handed use, choose click speed Configure mouse for right- or left-handed use, choose click speed Reverse the Function of the Right and Left Mouse Buttons
Cursor Width Control Cursor Width Control Cursor Width Control
Filter Keys Filter Keys Filter Keys
Mouse Keys Mouse Keys Mouse Keys
On-Screen Keyboard (now can be resized and includes text prediction) On-Screen Keyboard On-Screen Keyboard
Pointer Schemes Pointer Schemes Pointer Schemes
Pointer Speed & Acceleration Pointer Speed & Acceleration Pointer Speed Control
Pointer Visibility: Show Pointer Trails, Hide Pointer While Typing, Show Location of Pointer Pointer Visibility: Show Pointer Trails, Hide Pointer While Typing, Show Location of Pointer Pointer Visibility: Display Pointer Trails, Hide the Pointer While Typing, Show Location of Pointer
Scalable User Interface Elements Scalable User Interface Elements Scalable User Interface Elements
What happened to Serial Keys? What happened to Serial Keys? Serial Keys
Snap To (included in Mouse Options) Snap To (included in Mouse Options) Snap To
Speech Recognition Speech Recognition Speech Recognition
Sticky Keys Sticky Keys Sticky Keys
Toggle Keys Toggle Keys Toggle Keys
Windows Touch    
Language and Learning Click Lock (included in Mouse Options) Click Lock (included in Mouse Options) Click Lock
Cursor Width Control Cursor Width Control Cursor Width Control
Personalized appearance (including changing text size without losing graphics quality) Personalized appearance Personalize
Pointer Schemes Pointer Schemes Pointer Schemes
Pointer Speed & Acceleration Pointer Speed & Acceleration Pointer Speed Control
Pointer Visibility: Show Pointer Trails, Hide Pointer While Typing, Show Location of Pointer Pointer Visibility: Show Pointer Trails, Hide Pointer While Typing, Show Location of Pointer Pointer Visibility: Display Pointer Trails, Hide the Pointer While Typing, Show Location of Pointer
What happened to Serial Keys? What happened to Serial Keys? Serial Keys
Snap To (included in Mouse Options) Snap To (included in Mouse Options) Snap To
Seizure Disorders Cursor Blink Rate Cursor Blink Rate Cursor Blink Rate