Windows 11 boasts a range of useful accessibility options that make using the operating system easier , whatever your requirements . Live Captions , updates to the Narrator , and even full representative access might make Windows 11 the most approachable atomic number 76 Microsoft has ever released .

Regardless of whether you require accessibility features to navigateWindows 11or if you just want to make getting around a little easier , we tried out a deal of features to bring you our favorites . If you desire to browse the full leaning , you could observe it by opening theSettingsapp in Windows 11 and selecting theAccessibilitytab .

Live captions

alike to what you might ’ve go through on late Android and iOS phones , or read about in aWindows 11 review , Microsoft has added the highly requested Live Captions lineament . The O image Live Captions not just for sound and video played on your personal computer , but even your own speech when you speak directly through a mike . Live Captions also ferment without an internet connection , so you’re able to apply the feature any prison term you take it .

you could change the caption military position either to the top or bottom of the screen , or make it a floating window . We found a paltry quarter - second gear delay between real meter and project schoolbook . The truth is solid for the most part , barring enunciation or character issues from the source audio recording . Also , we ’re not 100 % sure if this is a feature or a bug , but during full - filmdom videos , the captions automatically jump to a floating windowpane rather than your nonpayment position .

There ’s even an alternative to filter profanity out . Due to the imagination - intensive nature of live , on - the - fly captioning , Microsoft paint a picture freeing some RAM by closing idle applications , but we did n’t acknowledge any subtitle performance hiccups with 30 Chrome tab and Adobe Photoshop running on a standard computer . Using one of thebest laptop computer , it should work utterly .

Narrator

While Narrator itself is n’t young , Windows 11 ’s loop bring welcome quality - of - life improvements such as more natural narrator voice packs . standardised toMicrosoft Edge‘sRead Aloudfunction , the Narrator tool in the OS now farm realistic speech with reinforcement for USB - connect Braille displays .

launch Narrator at any prison term will automatically activate a screen door reader , which you could use to explore and pilot fairly much all look of the UI and menus on Windows . For greater control over how you want Narrator to work , you could dig deeply into its configurations ( try theWindows key + Ctrl + Nkeyboard shortcut ) to install different human voices , specify how much Narrator speaks while you typewrite , and so on .

If the default terminology on your microcomputer is lay to U.S. English , there will be three installable voice to choose from ( Aria , Jenny , and Guy ) . Once you have a voice install , you may use it free of the internet . The voices decidedly sound more born than before , but they still miss the realism and fluidity of , say , Cortana , let alone Google ’s try .

Voice access

Voice access ( and by extension , voice typewriting ) may still be in preview condition , but is nonetheless unchanging and feature - rich in Windows 11 . It showcases the approximation that with AI and speech algorithmic rule , hold , pilot , or dictate an electronic mail just by spokesperson can be a really effective direction to interact with your personal computer . you could set in motion and close practical program , select and click item , navigate text edition , and spark off keyboard keys — all hands - liberal .

One caveat to using Voice access is the abundant instruction used to control the PC . Windows 11 has a training widget to get you started with the basics , but if your situation require full voice control over your PC , you will need to enthrone quite a moment of meter to learn the commands . It ’s bang-up that for on - sieve element , such as color pallet or wireless buttons , you’re able to have Windows assign numbers to each interactional element , so you’re able to “ dawn ” on the one you need .

Another thing to remark is that while third - company apps are supported by voice memory access , it ’s not as well - broil as when using Microsoft products . Using and navigating Edge seems more integrated than with other browsers , for example . We hope that succeeding updates provides substantial software support .

As a tandem function of voice memory access , voice typewriting works well , although it does occasionally lag for a split - second before enamour up . Punctuation can also be automatically get , although we found it to be accurate only about 80 % of the sentence .

Focus/Do not disturb

Focus has at last migrate from just being part of the Clock app to being its own characteristic in Windows 11 that is now bid Focus Sessions . During a Focus Session , Windows 11 quiet down systemwide notifications or minimizes UI complexness and clutter . Microsoft say Focus Sessions are ideal for those with neurodivergence , but they also process great just to clear some welter from your background .

Starting a Focus Session automatically enables Do Not Disturb mode . By default , Windows jam all incoming notifications and forestall any opened or pinned app in the taskbar from flashing , but you may toggle these off . We do wish that customizing which app telling are allowed was well accessible flat on the Focus screen ; presently , you have to head toSystem > notice > Set precedency notifications .

Various other handiness option are already built into Windows by nonremittal . For instance , ensure you knowwhich keyboard layout you ’re using .