This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable "Get image descriptions for screen readers" in Microsoft Edge for your account or all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Microsoft Edge is the AI-powered browser. A smarter way to browse. As the only browser built and optimized for Windows, it’s AI-powered tools are designed to help you make the most of your time online. Whether you’re searching, shopping or gaming, AI-powered tools and a security-first approach help you stay productive, save money, and get things done your way.
If you turn on Get image descriptions for screen readers in Edge, Microsoft Edge can detect images that lack useful descriptions and automatically generate them across multiple languages, including Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese, and simplified Chinese. This service provides automatic descriptions for unlabeled images you encounter on the web when using a screen reader. The content of images that need a generated description is sent to Microsoft servers to generate a description. No cookies or other user data is sent to Microsoft, and Microsoft doesn't save or log any image content.
References:
Accessibility features in Microsoft Edge | Microsoft Support
Microsoft Edge comes with built-in accessibility options such as making text larger, having the web read aloud to you, keyboard shortcuts, and more.
support.microsoft.com
Easier Browsing with Accessibility Settings | Microsoft Edge
Navigate the web with greater ease using Microsoft Edge accessibility settings. Experience a smoother and more inclusive internet browsing journey tailored to your needs.
How to Turn on Automatic Image Descriptions | Microsoft Edge
AI can help generate alternative text for image descriptions in Microsoft Edge. Turn on automatic image descriptions to improve accessibility while navigating the internet.
Appears to say: Microsoft Edge now provides auto-generated image labels
Many people who are blind or low vision experience the web primarily through a screen reader: an assistive technology that reads the content of each page aloud. Screen readers depend on having image labels (
blogs.windows.com
Contents
- Option One: Turn On or Off "Get image descriptions for screen readers" in Microsoft Edge for Current User
- Option Two: Enable or Disable "Get image descriptions for screen readers" in Microsoft Edge for All Users
EXAMPLE: Automatic image descriptions in Microsoft Edge
Turn On or Off "Get image descriptions for screen readers" in Microsoft Edge for Current User
1 Open Microsoft Edge.
2 Click/tap on the Settings and more (Alt+F) 3 dots menu icon, and click/tap on Settings. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on Accessibility in the left pane. (see screenshot below step 4)
If you do not see a left pane, then either click/tap on the 3 bars menu button towards the top left OR widen the horizontal borders of the Microsoft Edge window until you do.
4 Under Usability, turn On or Off (default) Get image descriptions for screen readers for what you want. (see screenshot below)
5 If you turned on Get image descriptions for screen readers, click/tap on Yes, I'm in to confirm. (see screenshot below)
6 You can now close the Settings tab in Microsoft Edge if you like.
Enable or Disable "Get image descriptions for screen readers" in Microsoft Edge for All Users
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
This option uses the AccessibilityImageLabelsEnabled policy for Microsoft Edge.
1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you want.
2 Default User-Choice "Get image descriptions for screen readers" in Microsoft Edge
This is the default setting to allow using Option One.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 4 below.
Default_user-choice_Get_image_description_for_screen_readers_in_Edge.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"AccessibilityImageLabelsEnabled"=-3 Disable "Get image descriptions for screen readers" in Microsoft Edge for All Users
This will override and prevent using Option One.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 4 below.
Disable_Get_image_description_for_screen_readers_in_Edge_for_all_users.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"AccessibilityImageLabelsEnabled"=dword:000000004 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 If you have Smart App Control turned on, you will need to unblock the downloaded REG file.
6 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
8 If Microsoft Edge is currently open, then close and reopen Microsoft Edge to apply.
9 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
