Freedom251 › Accessibility Testing Software
Axe.Windows
What Axe.Windows is
Axe.Windows is a free, MIT-licensed NuGet package for automated accessibility testing of Windows applications. It reads Windows UI Automation information and checks it against accessibility rules related to assistive-technology use. Applications can create scanners, run scans synchronously or asynchronously, and target a process or a window subtree. Results can be returned for each top-level window in multiple formats, with error counts, rule descriptions, repair guidance, and details about affected interface elements. The AxeWindowsCLI command-line tool scans applications from an existing scripting system and is intended for automated testing in build pipelines. Scans may save A11yTest files that open in Accessibility Insights for Windows. The project says Accessibility Insights for Windows uses Axe.Windows extensively, while applications can also run the tests directly. It does not collect telemetry itself; calling applications can handle telemetry through an interface they implement. Projects must support .NET Standard 2.0 libraries, and undocumented public interfaces may change.
Who it suits
It suits Windows developers and build teams needing automated accessibility checks in applications or pipelines. It is also relevant to projects that can use .NET Standard 2.0 libraries.
What it does well
- Free, MIT-licensed NuGet package
- Synchronous and asynchronous scan APIs
- Command-line support for build pipelines
- Results include repair guidance
- Targets processes or window subtrees
What to know first
- Windows platform only
- No manual review tools
- No mobile testing
- Undocumented interfaces may change
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Axe.Windows | MIT-licensed software · NuGet package for Windows accessibility testing | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Axe.Windows provides programmatic and command-line accessibility scanning for Windows software, with detailed findings and remediation guidance. Teams should account for its Windows focus, .NET Standard 2.0 prerequisite, and changing undocumented interfaces.
Facts from Axe.Windows's own pages
- Automated scans
- Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Browser extension
- No · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Build pipelines
- The repository describes the command-line interface as a way to simplify automated testing in build pipelines. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- CI/CD integration
- Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- CLI
- A command-line interface can scan applications from an existing scripting system and is intended to support automated testing in build pipelines. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Command line
- The AxeWindowsCLI command-line tool lets users scan applications from an existing scripting system. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- How it works
- It reads Windows UI Automation information and checks it against rules for accessibility issues affecting users of assistive technologies. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project says Axe.Windows is used extensively by Accessibility Insights for Windows and can also run automated tests programmatically on its own. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- License
- The GitHub repository identifies the project as MIT licensed. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Manual review tools
- No · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Mobile testing
- No · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Prerequisite
- The automation reference says projects using the package must be able to use .NET Standard 2.0 libraries. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Programmatic scans
- Applications can create a scanner and run scans synchronously or asynchronously, receiving results for each top-level window. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Axe.Windows is a NuGet package for running automated accessibility tests on Windows applications. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Related product
- The FAQ says Axe.Windows is used extensively by Accessibility Insights for Windows and can also run automated accessibility tests programmatically by itself. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Remediation guidance
- Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Results
- Scan results include error counts and rule details, and can be returned to the caller in multiple formats. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Security reporting
- The project asks users to report security vulnerabilities to the Microsoft Security Response Center rather than through public GitHub issues. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported API
- The automation reference warns that public interfaces and classes not documented there are unsupported and may change at any time. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Telemetry
- Axe.Windows does not collect telemetry on its own, but provides telemetry data for calling applications to handle through an interface they implement. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Test execution
- The API supports synchronous and asynchronous scans and can target a process or a window subtree. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Test output
- Scans can optionally save A11yTest files that can be opened with Accessibility Insights for Windows. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Test results
- Scan results include error counts, rule descriptions, guidance on fixing violations, and information about the tested UI elements. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Axe.Windows stands on Freedom251
- Accessibility Testing Software#93 of 169