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{{Short description|Screen reader for Microsoft Windows}}
{{Refimprove|date=March 2010}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox Windows component
{{Infobox software
| name = Microsoft Narrator
| logo = Narrator Vista Icon.png
| name = Narrator
| screenshot = Microsoft Narrator Windows 7.png
| logo = Narrator.exe icon.png
| logo_size = x64px
⚫
| caption = Screenshot of Microsoft Narrator in [[Windows 8]]
| screenshot =
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| included_with = [[Windows 2000]] and later
| screenshot_size = 300px
| type = Screen reading program
⚫
| caption = Screenshot of Narrator in [[Windows 11]] in Light Mode
| replaces =
| developer = [[Microsoft]]
| replaced_by =
| released = {{Start date and age|2000|2|17}}
| related_components =
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| operating system = [[Windows 2000]] and later
| platform = [[IA-32]], [[x86-64]], [[ARM64]]
| genre = [[Screen reader]]
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]] [[commercial software]]
}}
}}
'''Narrator''' is a [[screen reader]] in [[Microsoft Windows]]. Developed by Professor Paul Blenkhorn in 2000,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Microsoft Ease Of Access: How It Works? |url=https://www.accessiblebookcollection.org/microsoft-ease-of-access/ |access-date=October 2, 2022 |website=Accessible Book Collection}}</ref> the utility made the Windows operating system more accessible for blind and [[visually impaired]] users.


==Overview==
'''Narrator''' is a light-duty [[screen reader]] utility included in [[Microsoft Windows]]. Narrator reads dialog boxes and window controls in a number of the more basic [[Application software|applications]] for Windows.
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Narrator is included with every copy of [[Microsoft Windows]], providing a measure of access to Windows without the need to install additional software as long as the computer in use includes a sound card and speakers or headphones. [[Windows 2000]] was the first Microsoft [[operating system]] released with some degree of accessibility for the blind built in, permitting a blind person to walk up to any such computer and make some use of it immediately.


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The [[Windows 2000]] version of Narrator uses [[Speech Application Programming Interface|SAPI]] 4 and allows the use of other SAPI 4 voices. The [[Windows XP]] version uses the newer SAPI 5. However, it only allows the use of the default voice, Microsoft Sam, even if other voices have been installed.
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While Microsoft recommends that the visually impaired purchase a full-function screen reader for general computer use, Narrator is a significant piece of software for a number of reasons. Narrator is included with every copy of [[Microsoft Windows]], providing a measure of access to Windows without the need to install additional software as long as the computer in use includes a sound card and speakers or headphones. [[Windows 2000]] was the first Microsoft [[operating system]] released with some degree of accessibility for the blind built in, permitting a blind person to walk up to any such computer and make some use of it immediately.


In [[Windows Vista]] and [[Windows 7]], Narrator has been updated to use SAPI 5.3 and the Microsoft Anna voice for English. In Windows Ultimate and Windows editions for China, the Microsoft Lili voice for [[Mandarin Chinese]] is included.
Narrator can assist a blind person in installing a full-function screen reader, assisting the user until his/her screen reader of choice is up and running. As well, because Narrator is a lightweight screen reader that requires minimal "hooks" into the operating system, Narrator can provide speech when a full-function screen reader might be unable to do so, such as during the process of updating hardware drivers.


In [[Windows 10]], Narrator is available in English (United States, United Kingdom, and India), French, Italian, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin ([[Chinese Simplified]] and [[Chinese Traditional]]), Cantonese (Chinese Traditional), Spanish ([[Castilian Spanish|Spain]] and [[Mexican Spanish|Mexico]]), Polish, Russian, and Portuguese ([[Brazilian Portuguese|Brazil]]).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Appendix A: Supported languages and voices - Microsoft Support |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/appendix-a-supported-languages-and-voices-4486e345-7730-53da-fcfe-55cc64300f01#WindowsVersion=Windows_10 |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=support.microsoft.com |edition=Windows 10}}</ref>
⚫
The [[Windows 2000]] version of Narrator uses [[Speech Application Programming Interface|SAPI]] 4 and allows the use of other SAPI 4 voices. The [[Windows XP]] version uses the newer SAPI 5. However, it only allows the use of the default voice, Microsoft Sam, even if other voices have been installed. In [[Windows Vista]] and [[Windows 7]], Narrator has been updated to use SAPI 5.3 and the Microsoft Anna voice for English. In Windows Ultimate and Windows editions for China, the Microsoft Lili voice for Mandarin Chinese is included.


A version of Narrator is also included in all [[Windows Phone]]s, though with far fewer settings than the Narrator for the desktop. Narrator for Windows Phones previously only worked if the phone's language is set to "English (United States)".
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==External links==

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*[http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/accessibility/default.mspx Windows XP accessibility tips (Microsoft.com)]
There are numerous voices included in the narrator pack, such as Microsoft David, Microsoft Zira, Microsoft Mark, and in earlier editions, Microsoft Hazel.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Appendix A: Supported languages and voices - Microsoft Support |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/appendix-a-supported-languages-and-voices-4486e345-7730-53da-fcfe-55cc64300f01#WindowsVersion=Windows_11 |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=support.microsoft.com |edition=Windows 11}}</ref>
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*[http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsvista/narrator.aspx Microsoft.com - Hear text read aloud with Narrator]

In [[Windows 11]], the Narrator app was redesigned and new natural voices were added.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Microsoft |title=Windows 11 Accessibility Features |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/accessibility-features |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Windows |language=en-us}}</ref> The app is available in both Dark and Contrast Themes.<ref name=":1" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

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== External links ==
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* {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401233810/http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/accessibility/default.mspx |date=April 1, 2011 |title=Windows XP Accessibility Tips and How-to Articles (Microsoft.com) }}
* {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061251/http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsvista/narrator.aspx |date=March 4, 2016 |title=Windows Vista Accessibility Tutorials (Microsoft.com) }}
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* [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/getstarted-hear-text-read-aloud Microsoft Windows 10 Hear text read aloud with Narrator]
* [https://support.microsoft.com/help/22798/windows-10-complete-guide-to-narrator Microsoft Windows 10 Complete guide to Narrator - Microsoft Support]


{{Windows Components}}
{{Windows Components}}
{{Speech synthesis}}
{{Speech synthesis}}
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[[Category:Screen readers]]
[[Category:Microsoft Windows|Narrator]]


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[[Category:Screen readers]]
[[bg:Microsoft Narrator]]
[[pl:Microsoft Narrator]]
[[Category:Windows components|Narrator]]
[[Category:1999 software]]
[[pt:Microsoft Narrator]]
[[zh:Microsoft朗讀程式]]

Latest revision as of 15:23, 12 September 2024

Narrator
Developer(s)Microsoft
Initial releaseFebruary 17, 2000; 24 years ago (2000-02-17)
Operating systemWindows 2000 and later
PlatformIA-32, x86-64, ARM64
TypeScreen reader
LicenseProprietary commercial software

Narrator is a screen reader in Microsoft Windows. Developed by Professor Paul Blenkhorn in 2000,[1] the utility made the Windows operating system more accessible for blind and visually impaired users.

Overview

[edit]

Narrator is included with every copy of Microsoft Windows, providing a measure of access to Windows without the need to install additional software as long as the computer in use includes a sound card and speakers or headphones. Windows 2000 was the first Microsoft operating system released with some degree of accessibility for the blind built in, permitting a blind person to walk up to any such computer and make some use of it immediately.

The Windows 2000 version of Narrator uses SAPI 4 and allows the use of other SAPI 4 voices. The Windows XP version uses the newer SAPI 5. However, it only allows the use of the default voice, Microsoft Sam, even if other voices have been installed.

In Windows Vista and Windows 7, Narrator has been updated to use SAPI 5.3 and the Microsoft Anna voice for English. In Windows Ultimate and Windows editions for China, the Microsoft Lili voice for Mandarin Chinese is included.

In Windows 10, Narrator is available in English (United States, United Kingdom, and India), French, Italian, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin (Chinese Simplified and Chinese Traditional), Cantonese (Chinese Traditional), Spanish (Spain and Mexico), Polish, Russian, and Portuguese (Brazil).[2]

A version of Narrator is also included in all Windows Phones, though with far fewer settings than the Narrator for the desktop. Narrator for Windows Phones previously only worked if the phone's language is set to "English (United States)".

There are numerous voices included in the narrator pack, such as Microsoft David, Microsoft Zira, Microsoft Mark, and in earlier editions, Microsoft Hazel.[2][3]

In Windows 11, the Narrator app was redesigned and new natural voices were added.[4] The app is available in both Dark and Contrast Themes.[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Microsoft Ease Of Access: How It Works?". Accessible Book Collection. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Appendix A: Supported languages and voices - Microsoft Support". support.microsoft.com (Windows 10 ed.). Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  3. ^ "Appendix A: Supported languages and voices - Microsoft Support". support.microsoft.com (Windows 11 ed.). Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  4. ^ a b Microsoft. "Windows 11 Accessibility Features". Windows. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
[edit]
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