With Windows speech output, you can have texts read aloud on your PC. Unlike in the past, you don’t need any additional software to do this
Have texts read aloud by speech output on the PC
Have long texts read aloud and use the computer without barriers: All this is possible with speech output, which is available as standard in Windows. You can use the function with just a few entries and clicks. It is not necessary to download additional software for audio output.
- First press the Windows key and then enter “Speech output”. When you open the suggested application, the computer will already start reading out the contents of the screen.
- You can install additional functions. But for the basic function, such as reading aloud, the version available in the Windows operating system is sufficient. By clicking on “Skip for now”, the application will already start.
- The content in the active window, for example in an Internet browser, will now be read out to you. The voice output follows the mouse. Each element that you move the mouse over is read aloud.
- This can cause a lot of confusion and is not very suitable for browsers. However, you can use it to proofread a text in Word or OpenOffice, for example.
Have texts read aloud by the browser
If you consume news texts on your PC, many websites now offer the option of having the article read aloud to you. If this option is not available, you can set it yourself in your browser. If you use the Firefox browser, for example, you only need to open the reading mode by pressing the “F9” key. The article is then displayed in a slimmed-down version, which makes it easier for the read-aloud AI to recognize the actual content. After pressing the “N” key, the browser begins to play the audio output of the text.
- Activate the function in Edge in the same way. This is the browser from Microsoft. First press “F9”. You will then see the “Read aloud” button
- Reading aloud is not quite as convenient with the Google Chrome browser. With Chrome, you either have to sign in with your Google account or download an external extension.
