Hi,
Now that Microsoft lifted the veil on Windows 10 (formerly
codenamed Threshold), it’s time to examine its features and compatibility with
screen readers, specifically with NVDA. In this article, I’ll introduce you to
some of the new features in Windows 10 as of October Tech Preview build when
used with NVDA.
Introduction
When we think of GUI’s (graphical user interface), we often
think of icons, pictures and sliders to tell computers what to do. Along with
graphics, we also think about interaction with GUI elements, such as with mouse
clicks, touchscreen taps and keyboard commands. With the advances in screen
reading technology for GUI, blind computer users can utilize sophisticated
features of GUI’s to perform tasks, such as dragging, mouse clicks and so on.
One of the aspects of GUI environments is the overall user
interface and the introductory screen to launch various programs, open files
and search for information. For many, it would be a desktop where a grid of
icons representing folders and programs are displayed. For others, it might be
a home screen or apps launcher screen to search for apps and open apps by
tapping on the app icon.
Windows 8.x: is desktop an “app?”
In 2012, Microsoft introduced Windows 8, featuring a major
update to Windows GUI in years. This included a new style of apps, new ways of
starting programs and relegation of desktop into an “app”. While the
touch-centric interface of Windows 8 and its successor, Windows 8.1 was praised
for usability and interactivity, others criticized the decreased prominence of
desktop interface and asked Microsoft to undo some of the changes. Responding
to criticism, Microsoft reintroduced Start button and ability to go to desktop
upon login in Windows 8.1.
Windows 10: attempt at marriage of touch and desktop
Windows 10 can be best summarized as a hybrid between modern
UI and traditional desktop interface. For starters, we have the traditional
structure of the Start Menu combined with live tiles. Desktop became more
prominent with virtual desktops to run programs in virtual workspaces. Of
course Windows 8.1 is not forgotten; for instance, toggling a setting in
Taskbar and Navigation control panel lets you work with tiles alone.
Windows 10 and screen reader users: current status
As of October 2014 Tech Preview of Windows 10, NVDA works
well with Windows 10. It is expected that latest versions of JAWS for Windows,
Window-Eyes and other screen readers supporting Windows 8.1 will work with
Windows 10 to some extent. If you are used to Windows 8.1 with screen readers,
you can pick up Windows 10 quickly, though with some adjustments required such
as navigating the hybrid Start menu/screen interface. Let’s examine Windows
10’s features from viewpoint of screen reader users.
Start menu/screen: hybrid of Windows 7 and 8.1
When you press Windows key to bring Start UI, the notable
difference from Windows 7 and 8.1 would be addition of live tiles and return of
apps tree view, respectively. The screen is divided into two areas: on the left
is a familiar structure of Start Menu from Windows 7 days with search box at
the bottom. When you open Start UI, you’ll land on the search box, just like it
was with Windows 7. Pressing right arrow will you let explore the tiles, which
are on the right side of the screen. On the top of the screen are user accounts
and power options buttons, just like Windows 8.1 – you can press TAB to move to
these buttons.
Task view: viewing running apps at a glance
If you press Windows+TAB in Windows 10, you’ll land at what
is termed “Task View”. This window lets you glance running programs for the
“current virtual desktop” (more on that in a second). Here you can press left
and right arrow keys to move between apps you are running.
Related to Task View is virtual desktops, a virtual
workspace that allows you to run programs in separate desktops. For example,
you might be running Skype and various instant messaging applications in one
desktop while running web browsers on the other. This is similar to features
found in some of the Linux distributions. To switch between desktops, press TAB
from Task View to go to desktops list, use the left and right arrows to select
the desired desktop and press ENTER.
Modern apps: title bars, toolbars and other additions
One of the highlights in Windows 10 is change of appearance
of Modern apps. If you use smartphones such as Android and iPhone, you might be
familiar with app interfaces where the app takes the whole screen, and in
Windows world, it was termed “immersive app”. This isn’t the case with modern
apps in Windows 10: just like traditional programs, Windows Store apps have
title bars and toolbars. This may pose a problem for screen reader users who
uses announce title command to find out which app they are in (for example, in
NVDA, the word “itle bar for” is announced instead of the name of the app).
So who should and should not use Windows 10 Technical
Preview?
With just the features listed above, some may wish to
migrate to Windows 10. If I’m to give an answer to this question, I’d say,
“definitely, possibly and no” depending on the audience.
I highly recommend that you try Windows 10 Technical Preview
(at least as a virtual machine; more on that in a second) if you are:
·
A screen reader developer who wishes to optimize
his or her screen reader for Windows 10.
·
A power user of Windows who can’t wait till next
year to try some of the features in Windows 10.
·
A computer user who knows how to format and
install new operating systems and knows way of restoring old versions.
It might be possible that you may wish to try Windows 10 but
may not commit to it right away. This would be a good option for trainers who
wish to get ahead with Windows 10 features and to develop training materials
for blind computer users.
You should not use Windows 10 if you are:
·
Content with Windows 7 or 8.x.
·
Unsure about how to format and install operating
systems.
The reason is that, as of now, Windows 10 Technical Preview
is a late alpha and early beta code, so features may change rapidly. Given some
of the feedback comments, it wouldn’t be a surprise if even some of the
features described above are changed significantly.
As for using Windows 10 Technical Preview physically or
virtually, I highly recommend installing it as a virtual machine to minimize
disruption to your existing Windows installation.
I hope this gave you an accessible picture of what Windows
10 Tech Preview is like. I hope to update this series with more news on WinTen
with screen readers and to highlight major changes to UI as the Tech Preview
(Windows Insider program) progresses.
Joseph S Lee
UC Riverside (formerly), translator and code contributor to
NVDA project and author of NVDA add-ons
October 2014
