How to Turn On or Off Narrator Emphasis in Windows 11
Narrator emphasis in Windows 11 helps the built-in screen reader highlight important text visually.
This feature makes specific words or phrases stand out when Narrator reads them aloud, aiding users who need extra visual cues.
For instance, Narrator might make headings or links appear in bold or change their color as it reads them.
Narrator itself is a free screen reader tool included with Windows 11, designed to read everything on your screen for you.
You can easily turn Narrator emphasis on or off to better suit your personal needs and how you prefer to receive information.
Open Settings, go to Accessibility, then Narrator, and under Verbosity, toggle “Emphasize formatted text” on or off. This feature adds vocal cues for headings or links when Narrator reads them.
Why Turn On Narrator Emphasis?
- It helps you notice important words or phrases when Narrator reads.
- Some people like hearing this extra emphasis to understand the text better.
- Others prefer a simple, clear voice without extra emphasis.
How to Enable or Disable Narrator Emphasis on Formatted Text
Narrator emphasis in Windows 11 helps you focus on important text when the screen reader is on. You can turn this feature on or off in your Accessibility settings. To get there, open Windows Settings by clicking the Start menu and then Settings, or by pressing Windows key + I.
- Open Windows Settings: Click the Start menu (the Windows icon at the bottom left). Then click Settings. Or press Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings directly. Learn more about opening Settings.
- Go to Accessibility: In the Settings window, click Accessibility from the menu on the left side.
- Find Narrator settings: On the right side, scroll down and click on the Narrator section to open more options.
- Change the emphasis setting: Look for the section called Verbosity. Click on Verbosity level to expand it. You will see an option labeled “Emphasize formatted text.” Use the switch to turn this on or off.
- Close Settings: When you’re done, just close the Settings window. Your choice will be saved automatically.
Windows 11 Narrator now reads formatted text with or without extra emphasis, according to your preference. This setting controls how Narrator speaks things like bold text or bullet points, allowing you to choose if Narrator highlights them with a special sound.
Summary
Narrator emphasis in Windows 11 helps you focus on key words when the screen reader is active. You can turn this feature on or off within the Settings app. Go to Accessibility, then Narrator, and adjust the Verbosity setting to control emphasis.
You can turn Windows 11 Narrator emphasis on or off within the Settings application. Navigate to Accessibility, then select Narrator, and finally adjust the Verbosity setting to control emphasis. This feature helps users understand when Narrator is speaking, providing helpful audio cues.
Narrator emphasis in Windows 11 helps users with low vision or those wanting clearer audio cues by adjusting sound levels. This adjustment makes important information stand out more in the audio output, improving usability for approximately 1 in 4 adults in the US who have a disability.
Follow the steps above anytime you want to change this setting.
The complete Narrator guide offers more information about using Narrator, a screen reader built into Windows 11 that helps visually impaired users by reading aloud text on the screen.
How do I reset Narrator settings?
To restore all commands to their default settings, select ‘Restore all defaults’. To find this setting, press Alt+Tab after Narrator launches, select the Narrator Settings window, and choose Commands.
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Richard
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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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