Accessibility Change Narrator Math Reading Navigation Mode in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to change the navigation mode used by Narrator math reading for your account in Windows 11.

Narrator is a screen reader included with Windows 11 that describes what's on your screen. Narrator lets you use your PC without a mouse to complete common tasks if you’re blind or have low vision. It reads and interacts with things on the screen, like text and buttons. Use Narrator to read and write email, browse the internet, and work with documents.

Starting with Windows 11 build 26340.9354 (Experimental 26H2) for Insiders, Microsoft is adding math reading and navigation support in Narrator, bringing clearer and more natural math experiences to users who are blind or have low vision. Math is at the heart of STEM education and learning, and this update helps students and professionals independently read, understand, and explore equations, formulas, and scientific notation with confidence.

With this update, Narrator can read math equations aloud in supported Microsoft 365 apps, including Word and PowerPoint. Instead of announcing every symbol individually, Narrator reads equations in a structured, natural way that reflects how they're meant to be understood. For example, when Narrator reaches a fraction, it reads the numerator and denominator together so you can understand the relationship between them.

You can also explore equations in more detail with a dedicated math navigation mode. Press Narrator key + Alt + N to turn on math navigation, then use the arrow keys to move through different parts of the equation, such as fractions, exponents, and roots. This mode lets you move through an equation one part at a time instead of hearing the full expression all at once. Press Esc to exit math navigation mode.

Starting with Windows 11 build 26340.9577 (Experimental 26H2) for Insiders, building on the math reading and navigation support introduced for Narrator in build 26340.9354, Microsoft is expanding the experience with additional language and browser support. Narrator math reading now supports a total of six languages: English (United States), English (United Kingdom), Traditional Chinese, Finnish, German, and Spanish. You can choose your preferred language under Math reading settings in Narrator settings. Math reading is also now available for supported web content in Microsoft Edge Stable version 153.0.4234.32 and later and Chrome Stable version 153.0.8010.18 and later, making it easier to read and explore equations across more of the places where students and professionals work.

Narrator math reading navigation mode controls how much of an expression you navigate through at a time.

You can change navigation mode to either enhanced mode, simple mode, or character mode.

• Enhanced mode = structured, context‑aware reading with optional math navigation.
• Simple mode = basic, sequential reading without extra grouping.
• Character mode = reading each element/character individually for maximum precision.

1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on Accessibility on the left side, and click/tap on Narrator on the right side. (see screenshot below)



3 Under the Math section, click/tap on Math reading. (see screenshot below)



4 Under Math navigation, select Enhanced mode (default), Simple mode, or Character mode in the Navigation mode drop menu for which one you want to use. (see screenshot below)


5 You can now close Settings if you like.





1 Do step 2 (enhanced), step 3 (simple), or step 4 (character) below for which navigation mode you want to use.

This is the default setting.

(Contents of REG file for reference)





(Contents of REG file for reference)





(Contents of REG file for reference)

5 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

6 If you have Smart App Control turned on, you will need to unblock the downloaded REG file.

7 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

8 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

9 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink