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In Windows 11, open Narrator settings and choose a verbosity level from 1 (Text only) to 5 (All text details). You can also change levels while Narrator is running: press Narrator+V to increase verbosity or Narrator+Shift+V to decrease it. If your goal is to hear mathematical symbols, change the separate punctuation mode to Math; verbosity and math-symbol reading are different controls.
Change Narrator’s verbosity level
- Open Narrator settings. The verbosity control is in Narrator’s customization settings; see Microsoft’s Chapter 7: Customizing Narrator.
- Choose the level that fits what you are doing. Level 3 is the documented default.
With Narrator active, you can instead press Narrator+V to move up a level or Narrator+Shift+V to move down. These shortcuts cycle through the levels; listen to Narrator’s announcement to confirm the active setting. The Narrator key is Caps Lock or Insert by default, though you can change it in Narrator settings. Microsoft lists these shortcuts in its keyboard commands and touch gestures appendix.
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What the five verbosity levels say
| Level | Name | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Text only | Minimizes extra detail about text and controls. |
| 2 | Some control details | Adds some guidance about controls. |
| 3 | All control details | Provides control details; this is the documented default. |
| 4 | Some text details | Includes text attributes that can help when writing. |
| 5 | All text details | Provides extensive text attributes useful for proofreading and editing. |
Levels 1 and 2 can mean fewer interruptions when reading familiar material. Level 3 provides more information about controls while navigating. Levels 4 and 5 add detail about text, which can be useful when composing or reviewing it. Microsoft explains the settings in Chapter 4: Reading text.
Make Narrator read mathematical symbols
Math symbols are controlled separately from verbosity. Use Narrator’s punctuation reading modes and select Math, which Microsoft describes as reading most mathematical symbols. With Narrator active, press Narrator+Alt+Right Bracket to cycle forward through punctuation modes or Narrator+Alt+Left Bracket to cycle backward. Listen for Narrator to announce Math. The shortcut notation uses your Narrator key—Caps Lock or Insert by default—and the commands are listed in Microsoft’s keyboard commands appendix.
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Math mode is not a sixth verbosity level. Raising verbosity changes how much detail Narrator announces about text and controls; selecting Math changes how punctuation and symbols are spoken. Microsoft’s documentation does not guarantee that every app or equation format will produce fully intelligible speech.
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Before you start
- Narrator is included with Windows 11; Microsoft says it does not need to be downloaded or installed. See the Complete guide to Narrator.
- If a shortcut does not work, check which key is configured as the Narrator key in Narrator settings. Caps Lock and Insert are the defaults, but the modifier can be changed; see Chapter 2: Narrator basics.
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