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Enable Narrator Announcing Keys in Windows 11

Richard
Written by
Richard
May 16, 2024 Updated Jul 12, 2026 2 min read
Narrator featured image icon
Narrator featured image icon

This article explains how to turn on or off a feature with Narrator that allows it to announce the Arrow, Tab, and other navigational keys when you type in Windows 11.

⚡ Quick Answer

Open Settings, go to Accessibility, then Narrator. Under Verbosity, expand “Have Narrator announce when I type” and toggle the setting for announcing keys to On or Off.

Narrator is a screen-reading app built into Windows that reads the text on your screen aloud and describes events for users with low vision or blindness.

When you use the Narrator app, you can enable or disable Narrator phonetic readingpause for punctuationadjust how the Narrator read advanced detailsadjust the way capitalized text is readadd a braille display with Narratorchange input and output language for braille with Narratorenable the Narrator announcing function keys, modifier keys, and more.

Another feature you can change is having the Narrator announce when you type the Arrow, Tab, and other navigational keys. This feature can be turned on and off at any time.

Announcing navigational keys with Narrator when typing in Windows can be helpful for individuals with visual impairments or other disabilities. It provides auditory feedback to help them navigate the interface, making it easier for them to use the computer.

Turn on or off the Narrator announcing navigational keys

As mentioned above, users can turn on or off the Narrator announcing navigational keys as they type in Windows.

Here’s how to do it.

First, open the Windows Settings app.

You can do that by clicking on the Start menu and selecting Settings. Or press the keyboard shortcut (Windows key + I) to launch the Settings app.

Narrator tile in Windows 11 Settings app for accessibility.
Narrator tile in Windows 11 Settings app for accessibility features.

When the Setting app opens, click the Accessibility button on the left and select the Narrator tile on the right to expand it.

On the Narrator settings pane, under “Verbosity,” expand the “Have Narrator announce when I type” tile to access additional settings.

You can toggle the [Arrow, Tab, and other navigational keys] option to Hear these keys as you type.

Narrator announce navigational keys
Narrator announce navigational keys

That should do it!

Conclusion:

  • Toggling the feature to announce when you type navigational keys in Windows 11 can greatly benefit users with visual impairments or other disabilities.
  • The step-by-step guide provided in this article offers a clear and concise process to turn on or off the Narrator announcing the navigational keys feature.
  • Navigational keys, such as the Arrow and Tab keys, play a crucial role in navigating the interface, and auditory feedback from the Narrator can enhance the user experience for individuals with specific accessibility needs.

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Tags: #Windows 11
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Richard

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

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