New Natural Voices For Narrator - Microsoft Windows Screen Reader

[@melissaslegallyblindworld]

Those natural sounding voices are pretty cool Sam, that's nice that they implemented that.

[@knifeyonline]

edge browser also has a separate built in speak allowed feature that's really good. It will talk from where you click.

[@timmthelion]

how to do this?

[@BillTxn]

I'm just now learning and Narrator (April 2024), as the old "read-aloud" command (ctrl+shift+u) stopped working. It has been a learning curve to comprehend Narrator and this tutorial was a great help. I'll be looking at more of your content for further assistance. Thanks for explaining it in a way MS does not seem able to do.

[@morseshannon]

I have tried to fix this issue for two days - all of the sudden my voice went all computer like and I was pulling my hair out. This video helped me figure it out again. Although I had to pause it a few times because I had no idea where accessibility was or how to get it - but once I did I was set.

[@Breezy81]

Mine did me the same way

[@mattphilipenko88]

So good! I’ll touch base with the team about adding natural voices to Magnifier. I am sure they’ve already received that feedback! But great video bro! Love to see that Dark Mode in Windows 11!

[@theblindlife]

Yes, please do! You’re the best man!

[@mattphilipenko88]

@@theblindlife they have it on the back log but there is no ETA. So good news!

[@winelectronic101]

I think it would've been even better if they could be ported to OneCore and/or SAPI 5, which would resolve a lot of the compatibility issues. Many 3rd party apps still rely on SAPI 5.

[@urbantwilight]

Not seeing them on Windows 10. Hope that's not a W11 only feature.

[@mckensieparker6414]

Unfortunately it is.

[@ramblingmillennial1560]

@@mckensieparker6414 welp that sucks

[@mckensieparker6414]

@@ramblingmillennial1560 I know! But, I heard there will be an Amazon TTS addon for NVDA. So if you want something better, well there you go. Actually I think that's a thing now. The Matthew voice from Amazon is probably gonna be the default voice for that synthesizer. You'll recognise this voice as the male voice on the echo devices. Let me check.

[@DihelsonMendonca]

Windows 11 only ? It's a tragedy. Windows 11 never !

[@darquequeen]

About time! While screen readers are great and all, the robotic tone really made me not like using them. Those voices sound much better!

[@beefandpork]

I just bought a laptop with Windows 11. I can not find settings for these voices anywhere. The settings and menus I have are different from every guide on adding these voices that I find online. I’m able to add language packs for other coibteies, but none have anything to do with additional voices for US English.

[@electronicinfection]

Great addition!

[@DreamingHearts]

Are these voices only available to add in Windows 11? I can't seem to figure it out with Windows 10.

[@theblindlife]

Yes, unfortunately only available for Windows 11. Microsoft is no longer supporting Windows 10 they're not putting out anything new for it.

[@peterredecop9504]

I was wondering could you give any advice on what to do when narrator isn't working properly when trying to read a document in wordpad? My windows 11 narrator has been doing this since the latest update and will not read documents to me anymore and also navigation in the file explorer isn't working like before so I was wondering if you could give me any advice on what to do? Any help would be greatly appreciated thank you.

[@blindtechh]

Hey! I'm also visually impaired but still be able to read when I scale my electronic device UI a bit bigger but I don't set it as big as I see in the video. I heard about you from one of my teachers in Florida School for the deaf and blind. Oh.. almost forgot to mention, I'm also hard of hearing so I have hearing aids on me other than the time I use my earbuds / headphones. You made some awesome videos and keep up the great work!

[@theblindlife]

Thanks!

[@Mr.Howdy0]

is it possible to use those voices in python tts?

[@rml695]

I would like to see focus tracking in windows magnifier such as it is in zoomtext, my hope is one day magnifier (along with Edge’s immersive reader) could replace zoom text entirely. I know that’s probably pie in the sky though, huh?

[@theblindlife]

Do you mean where the Magnifier will jump to the important information on a page? Like the cursor or text information? If so, it does have that. I switched from Zoom text to Magnifier back in Windows 7 and have not looked back since. It has everything that I need and they keep adding new features. Honestly, there isn’t much in zoom text that magnifier and or narrator can’t reproduce.

[@rml695]

@@theblindlife I’ve been using magnifier and NVDA together, along with immersive reader, though the last update broke all my add ons on my SQ3 Surface… which was quite annoying.

[@abishagayathri4883]

Can u please suggesr good smart glass which could zoom the things and text

[@EASYLAWHIGHESTLAW-me7gl]

it is better if you do not skip steps. we like seeing each step. Thanks

[@datguitar361]

I'm still using windows' 10, can I get those natural voices? especially on NVDA screen reader? Thanks.

[@mattphilipenko88]

No they’re only available in Windows 11. If you send me an email and we can get you upgraded to Windows 11🎉

[@PhiVaGoo]

I don't have the 'add natural voices' menu. I'm on Windows 11.

[@sage5937]

Do you know if these can be used with NVDA? I use Microsoft David on mine instead of the one that comes with it

[@YikesThump]

That's a big fat no. I tried. Boo.

[@theblindlife]

I’m not sure but according to the other commentor, it looks like you can’t. I thought NVDA had a bunch of custom voices you could use though. I seem to remember a friend of mine having Darth Vader as a voice at one point!

[@vernepavreal7296]

I never gained any competence moving from XP to Windows 10 and an Economics driven move from jaws to NVDA Is Windows narrator a full screen reader? If so would it have been easier in the transition to use Windows narrator? Cheers

[@mattphilipenko88]

It’s a preference in my opinion. But a lot of people Love Jaws. But when $$& is the question Narrator is Free with Windows.

[@Scruffybeer22]

One issue I have on my pc, when I turn on narrator using natural voces, enabled via (cntl-win-enter), is that it takes at least 5m for narrator to begin to talk. With the old voice selected, it kicks in right away, so I just keep using Zira. :)

[@theblindlife]

That’s strange, I am not experiencing that on my system.

[@beanfeast57]

Can Narrator be used to replace nvda, or is it just a very basic emergency reader? I'm still on windows 7, but if I could use Narrator with that voice it might just push me to upgrade. Thanks for all the fab and informative videos. Shell.

[@mattphilipenko88]

It depends. I’d recommend using Narrator and testing it out. Either way Windows 7 will go end of support soon and your best bet is to move to Windows 11!

[@beanfeast57]

Thanks Matt, I just find getting a new computer traumatic and tend to put it off until the one I have packs in all together. I may take the plunge soon. Shell.

[@theblindlife]

Yeah, I agree with Matt. Narrator running on Windows. 11 is actually pretty good. It may not completely replace NVDA, but it’s free, so there’s no real downside to testing it out. getting a new computer can be a bit traumatic! However, once it’s all set up, I bet you will be amazed at the improvements over windows seven.

[@codymerryman5605]

Yes. Narrater can replace any screen reader you use. I use to use NVDA for 4 years until Windows 11 came along, and now Narrater can replace any third party screen reader. I have been using Narrater for a year now and I never use a third party Screen Reader again.

[@adamadams3067]

Hey love your videos. As someone who is visually impaired but also wants to do some PC gaming I was wondering do you know if you can use the magnifier feature on Windows with a PS5 controller? Thanks.

[@theblindlife]

I've never tried this but I'm thinking it probably doesn't work by default by default. you may have to use a program to map the magnifier controls to the controller.

[@adamadams3067]

@@theblindlife ok thanks I'll see if I can find a program that works.

[@mckensieparker6414]

Quick question, Sam, but have you ever played audio games? There are really good ones out there!

[@theblindlife]

Yes, many times. In fact I'm about to test a new one called Evidence 11

[@mckensieparker6414]

@@theblindlife Wow! I've heard people play that! In fact, you should try PC audio games! There are a few you might like. There's one called endless runner. There's also one called crazy party. It's kind of like Mario party. Speaking of Mario, there's an accessible version of it that someone did. You might also like blinded guide. That's from Liam Erven. You probably recognise that name! He did super Liam, the great toy robbery. Didn't you play that game on your channel? I thought you did! Not to sure.

[@Breezy81]

Mines is not showing up on my word

[@wonipowa7542]

Wish I could change this on Mac - downloading a new voice

[@LuiDipop]

How do I get this on windows 10?

[@theblindlife]

You can’t. Windows 10 is not supported. In fact, Microsoft will not be supporting windows 10 for very much longer. It’s time to upgrade!

[@thejword]

I wonder if nvda will get these voices

[@wheelieblind]

For those of us using Windows 10 he is using 11.

[@motobojo2]

I wondered about that since the instructions he gave didn't work for me on Windows 10? No option to load natural voices on Windows 10. That I could find.

[@ShareNow2023]

I am also a blind. I would like to become a KZbinr. Can I contact with you?

[@danabelden4492]

I like that

[@marie.s9995]

They took my Jenny and Liam away..

[@UnionOfEuropeanFootball]

it is just michael mjd

[@ramblingmillennial1560]

Microsoft David is literally the WORST lmao!! I'm so happy they've finally improved the voices they've always been super bad lol. But especially David. Hopefully we can use it for the reader in magnifier very soon cuz I don't use narrator.