Set up Text to Speech

Windows includes a text-to-speech program called Narrator which reads aloud text on the screen as well as buttons, menus, file names, and even keystrokes. This can be helpful for people who don't see the screen or who have difficulty seeing the screen and find text-to-speech useful.

To use text to speech, make sure your computer has a functioning sound card, your language installed, and that your computer meets the basic requirements. For more information, see the Windows Help topic, Troubleshoot Narrator problems.

Mouse actions

Keyboard actions

To open the Ease of Access Center, select:

Start.
Control Panel.
Ease of Access.
Ease of Access Center.

To open the Ease of Access Center, press:

Windows logo key +U.

Under Explore all settings, select:

Use the computer without a display.

Under Explore all settings, select:

Use the computer without a display by pressing TAB, then ENTER.

Under Hear text read aloud, select:

Set up Text to Speech.

Under Hear text read aloud, select:

Set up Text to Speech by pressing ALT+O.

On the Text to Speech tab, under Voice selection, select:

A voice from the list of installed voices.

Preview your voice selection by selecting:

Preview Voice.

On the Text to Speech tab, under Voice selection, select:

A voice from the list of installed voices, by pressing the arrow keys.

Preview your voice selection by selecting:

Preview Voice by pressing ALT+P.

Choose a Voice speed by selecting:

A speed from Slow to Fast by moving the slider with your mouse.

Preview the voice speed by selecting:

Preview Voice.

Choose a voice speed from Slow to Fast by selecting:

Voice speed by pressing ALT+C, then the arrow keys.

Preview the voice speed by selecting:

Preview Voice by pressing ALT+P.

Save your selections and close the window:

Select OK.

Save your selections and close the window:

Select OK by pressing TAB, then ENTER.