Windows Accessibility Features That Make Computers Easier for Everyone
Windows includes many accessibility features that help people with vision, hearing, mobility or learning differences. They're also great for anyone: older parents who struggle with small text, students who prefer dictating notes, or anyone who wants captions on a noisy train.
All of them are found under Settings → Accessibility.
Bigger text and pointer
- Text size: enlarge text across Windows without changing everything else.
- Mouse pointer and touch: make the cursor bigger or a bright colour so it's easier to find.
- Text cursor: add a colourful indicator so you can see where you're typing.
Magnifier
Press Windows + Plus (+) to zoom in on any part of the screen, and Windows + Minus (−) to zoom out. Windows + Esc closes Magnifier. It's perfect for reading small print on websites or forms.
Contrast themes and colour filters
Contrast themes use bold colours to make text and buttons stand out. Colour filters help people with colour blindness distinguish colours more easily.
Narrator (screen reader)
Narrator reads aloud everything on screen, including buttons, menus and text. Turn it on or off with Windows + Ctrl + Enter. It's essential for blind users and helpful for people who prefer listening.
Live captions
Press Windows + Ctrl + L to turn on Live captions. Windows shows real-time subtitles for any audio, including videos, calls and podcasts, even when the app itself has no captions. It works offline after a one-time download.
Voice typing and voice access
- Voice typing: press Windows + H in any text box and speak. Say "period" or "comma" for punctuation.
- Voice access: control your whole PC by voice, opening apps, clicking buttons and dictating text. Useful for people with limited hand mobility.
Keyboard helpers
- Sticky keys: press shortcut keys one at a time instead of together.
- Filter keys: ignore accidental repeated key presses.
- On-screen keyboard: type using the mouse or touch.
Reduce distractions
Turn off animation effects and transparency under Visual effects, and use Focus sessions to concentrate. See our notifications and focus guide.
Which features help with which needs?
| Need | Helpful features |
|---|---|
| Low vision | Text size, Magnifier, contrast themes, larger pointer, Narrator |
| Colour blindness | Colour filters |
| Hard of hearing | Live captions, mono audio, flash screen for notifications |
| Limited hand mobility | Voice access, voice typing, Sticky keys, on-screen keyboard |
| Dyslexia or reading difficulty | Immersive Reader in Edge and Office, text spacing, read aloud |
| Attention and focus | Focus sessions, reduced animations, fewer notifications |
Read aloud in Edge and Word
In Microsoft Edge, right-click a page and choose Read aloud to hear it in a natural voice, with words highlighted as they're read. Immersive Reader (the book icon in the address bar on many articles) removes clutter, lets you change text spacing and colours, and can split words into syllables. Microsoft Word has similar tools under the Review and View tabs. These are excellent for students with reading difficulties and anyone who prefers listening.
Mono audio and notification flashes
If you have hearing loss in one ear, turn on Mono audio in Accessibility → Audio so you don't miss sound from one side. You can also make the screen flash when notifications arrive.
The Accessibility quick menu
Open Quick Settings (Windows + A) and add the Accessibility tile for one-tap access to Magnifier, colour filters, Narrator, Mono audio, Live captions and Sticky keys. It's especially helpful if you use features only sometimes.
Setting up a PC for someone else? Pair these settings with a simple layout from our taskbar customisation guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do live captions work in other languages?
Live captions support several languages, and more are being added through updates. Check the language options in the captions settings.
Are these features free?
Yes, all are built into Windows at no extra cost.
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