Use this tip to get XP to read file menus and more to you.

If you're blind or have impaired vision, or if you just like being read to, then the Microsoft Narrator is for you. Narrator reads the contents of the Start menu, all program file menus, and Web links. It also repeats aloud every keystroke you make. Let Chris walk you through using the Narrator on today's "Call for Help."

All you need to do is turn it on and you'll be ready to sit back and relax while Microsoft SAM (text-to-speech engine) reads to you. Narrator may seem a little annoying for those who can read perfectly fine, but give it a try anyway.

Turn on Narrator

Before you can adjust the features of Microsoft Narrator, you must turn it on. To turn on Microsoft Narrator, follow these steps:

  1. Single-click the Start menu, mouse over All Programs, Accessories, and Accessibility, and choose Utility Manager. Or you can press your Windows key + U to launch the Utility Manager.
  2. On the Utility Manager, single-click the text labeled "Narrator is not running" to highlight it and then press the Start button.


Configure Narrator

You should now see a dialog box appear. This box will list directions on how to use Microsoft Narrator. The actual Narrator should be minimized in your toolbar. Maximize it to see the list of available check boxes you can turn on and off.

After you've finished customizing Narrator to your liking, keep it minimized. To turn Narrator off, just close the Narrator dialog box.