Accessibility in Windows Small Business Server 2008
Applies To: Windows SBS 2008
In Windows SBS 2008, you can use the Ease of Access Center to configure settings for accessibility. You can also use a variety of keyboard shortcuts. The following topics provide details:
What's New in Ease of Access (Accessibility)?
What Accessibility Features Does Windows Offer?
Keyboard Shortcuts
Note
The information throughout this topic applies to Windows Small Business Server 2008 as well as to Windows Server 2008.
Using Narrator in Windows Server 2008
In Windows SBS 2008, to use Narrator (one of the accessibility features), you might need to start the Windows Audio service. You can also set the startup type of the service to Automatic so that it always starts when the server is started.
To start the Windows Audio service and change the startup type to Automatic
Click Start, click Administrative Tools, and then click Services.
In the list of services, double-click Windows Audio.
For Startup type, make sure Automatic is selected.
View the service status. If it is not already started, click Start and then click OK.
Note that when you start the Windows Audio service, the operating system automatically starts the Windows Audio Endpoint Builder service. These two services work together to manage audio and audio devices.
Additional references
For information about using Remote Desktop Connection with a large monitor, see https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=94254.
What’s New in Ease of Access (Accessibility)?
This version of Windows introduces the Ease of Access Center, a centralized location for accessibility settings and programs that used to be found in Accessibility Options. The Ease of Access Center also features a new questionnaire that you can use to get suggestions for accessibility features that you might find useful.
Where can I find the Ease of Access Center?
The Ease of Access Center is located in Control Panel. Open Ease of Access Center by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Ease of Access, and then clicking Ease of Access Center.
What happened to Utility Manager?
The Ease of Access Center replaces it. If you're accustomed to opening Utility Manager by pressing the Windows key .gif)
+ U, you can still get to the same settings with that keyboard shortcut. Now, that keyboard shortcut opens the Ease of Access Center, where more settings are available in one place.
What happened to the accessibility wizard?
It has been replaced by an optional questionnaire in the Ease of Access Center. Based on the answers you provide to the questions, the questionnaire recommends accessibility settings and assistive technologies and settings that can make the computer easier to use.
What Accessibility Features Does Windows Offer?
Windows offers several programs and settings that can make the computer easier and more comfortable to use. Additional assistive technology products can be added to your computer if you need other accessibility features. More information about accessibility and assistive technology products is available on the Microsoft Accessibility website.
The Ease of Access Center is a central location that you can use to set up the accessibility settings and programs available in Windows. In the Ease of Access Center, you'll find quick access for setting up the accessibility settings and programs included in Windows. You'll also find a link to a questionnaire that Windows can use to help suggest settings that you might find useful.
- Open Ease of Access Center by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Ease of Access, and then clicking Ease of Access Center.
Use the computer without a display
Windows comes with a basic screen reader called Narrator that will read aloud text that appears on the screen. Windows also has settings for providing audio descriptions for videos and controlling how dialog boxes appear.
Additionally, many other programs and hardware are compatible with Windows and available to help individuals who are blind, including screen readers, Braille output devices, and many other useful products. For more information, review the Microsoft Accessibility website.
Make the computer easier to see
Several settings are available to help make the information on the screen easier to understand. For example, the screen can be magnified, screen colors can be adjusted to make the screen easier to see and read, and unnecessary animations and background images can be removed.
Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard
Windows includes an on-screen keyboard that you can use to type. You can also use Speech Recognition to control your computer with voice commands as well as dictate text into programs.
Make the mouse easier to use
You can change the size and color of the mouse pointer, as well as use the keyboard to control the mouse.
Make the keyboard easier to use
You can adjust the way Windows responds to mouse or keyboard input so that key combinations are easier to press, typing is easier, or inadvertent key presses are ignored.
Use text and visual alternatives for sounds
Windows can replace two types of audio information with visual equivalents. You can replace system sounds with visual alerts and you can display text captions for spoken dialog in multimedia programs.
Make it easier to focus on reading and typing tasks
There are a number of settings that can help make it easier to focus on reading and typing. You can have Narrator read information on the screen, adjust how the keyboard responds to certain keystrokes, and control whether certain visual elements are displayed.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts can make it easier to interact with your computer because you don't need to use the mouse as often.
Ease of Access keyboard shortcuts
| Press this key | To do this |
|---|---|
Right SHIFT for eight seconds |
Turn Filter Keys on and off |
Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN (or PRTSCRN) |
Turn High Contrast on or off |
Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK |
Turn Mouse Keys on or off |
SHIFT five times |
Turn Sticky Keys on or off |
NUM LOCK for five seconds |
Turn Toggle Keys on or off |
Windows logo key |
Open the Ease of Access Center |
General keyboard shortcuts
| Press this key | To do this |
|---|---|
F1 |
Display Help |
CTRL+C |
Copy the selected item |
CTRL+X |
Cut the selected item |
CTRL+V |
Paste the selected item |
CTRL+Z |
Undo an action |
CTRL+Y |
Redo an action |
DELETE |
Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin |
SHIFT+DELETE |
Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first |
F2 |
Rename the selected item |
CTRL+RIGHT ARROW |
Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word |
CTRL+LEFT ARROW |
Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word |
CTRL+DOWN ARROW |
Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph |
CTRL+UP ARROW |
Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph |
CTRL+SHIFT with an arrow key |
Select a block of text |
SHIFT with any arrow key |
Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document |
CTRL with any arrow key+SPACEBAR |
Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop |
CTRL+A |
Select all items in a document or window |
F3 |
Search for a file or folder |
ALT+ENTER |
Display properties for the selected item |
ALT+F4 |
Close the active item, or exit the active program |
ALT+SPACEBAR |
Open the shortcut menu for the active window |
CTRL+F4 |
Close the active document (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously) |
ALT+TAB |
Switch between open items |
CTRL+ALT+TAB |
Use the arrow keys to switch between open items |
CTRL+Mouse scroll wheel |
Change the size of icons on the desktop |
Windows logo key |
Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D |
CTRL+Windows logo key |
Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D |
ALT+ESC |
Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened |
F6 |
Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop |
F4 |
Display the Address bar list in Windows Explorer |
SHIFT+F10 |
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item |
CTRL+ESC |
Open the Start menu |
ALT+underlined letter |
Display the corresponding menu |
ALT+underlined letter |
Perform the menu command (or other underlined command) |
F10 |
Activate the menu bar in the active program |
RIGHT ARROW |
Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu |
LEFT ARROW |
Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu |
F5 |
Refresh the active window |
ALT+UP ARROW |
View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer |
ESC |
Cancel the current task |
CTRL+SHIFT+ESC |
Open Task Manager |
SHIFT when you insert a CD |
Prevent the CD from automatically playing |
Dialog box keyboard shortcuts
| Press this key | To do this |
|---|---|
CTRL+TAB |
Move forward through tabs |
CTRL+SHIFT+TAB |
Move back through tabs |
TAB |
Move forward through options |
SHIFT+TAB |
Move back through options |
ALT+underlined letter |
Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter |
ENTER |
Replaces clicking the mouse for many selected commands |
SPACEBAR |
Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box |
Arrow keys |
Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons |
F1 |
Display Help |
F4 |
Display the items in the active list |
BACKSPACE |
Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box |
Microsoft keyboard shortcuts
| Press this key | To do this |
|---|---|
Windows logo key |
Open or close the Start menu |
Windows logo key |
Display the System Properties dialog box |
Windows logo key |
Display the desktop |
Windows logo key |
Minimize all windows |
Windows logo key |
Restore minimized windows to the desktop |
Windows logo key |
Open Computer |
Windows logo key |
Search for a file or folder |
CTRL+Windows logo key |
Search for computers (if you are on a network) |
Windows logo key |
Lock your computer or switch users |
Windows logo key |
Open the Run dialog box |
Windows logo key |
Cycle through programs on the taskbar |
Windows logo key |
Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D |
CTRL+Windows logo key |
Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D |
Windows logo key |
Bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows Sidebar |
Windows logo key |
Cycle through Sidebar gadgets |
Windows logo key |
Open Ease of Access Center |
Windows logo key |
Open Windows Mobility Center |
Windows logo key |
Open the Quick Launch shortcut that is in the position that corresponds to the number. For example, Windows logo key |
Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts
| Press this key | To do this |
|---|---|
CTRL+N |
Open a new window |
END |
Display the bottom of the active window |
HOME |
Display the top of the active window |
F11 |
Maximize or minimize the active window |
NUM LOCK+ASTERISK (*) on numeric keypad |
Display all subfolders under the selected folder |
NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN (+) on numeric keypad |
Display the contents of the selected folder |
NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN (-) on numeric keypad |
Collapse the selected folder |
LEFT ARROW |
Collapse the current selection (if it is expanded), or select the parent folder |
ALT+LEFT ARROW |
View the previous folder |
RIGHT ARROW |
Display the current selection (if it is collapsed), or select the first subfolder |
ALT+RIGHT ARROW |
View the next folder |
CTRL+Mouse scroll wheel |
Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons |
ALT+D |
Select the Address bar |
Windows Sidebar keyboard shortcuts
| Press this key | To do this |
|---|---|
Windows logo key |
Bring all gadgets to the front and select Sidebar |
Windows logo key |
Cycle through Sidebar gadgets |
TAB |
Cycle through Sidebar controls |
Windows Photo Gallery keyboard shortcuts
| Press this key | To do this |
|---|---|
CTRL+F |
Open the Fix pane |
CTRL+P |
Print the selected picture |
ENTER |
View the selected picture at a larger size |
CTRL+I |
Open or close the Details pane |
CTRL+PERIOD (.) |
Rotate the picture clockwise |
CTRL+COMMA (,) |
Rotate the picture counter-clockwise |
F2 |
Rename the selected item |
CTRL+E |
Search for an item |
ALT+LEFT ARROW |
Go back |
ALT+RIGHT ARROW |
Go forward |
PLUS SIGN (+) |
Zoom in or resize the picture thumbnail |
MINUS SIGN (-) |
Zoom out or resize the picture thumbnail |
CTRL+Mouse scroll wheel |
Change the size of the picture thumbnail |
CTRL+B |
Best fit |
LEFT ARROW |
Select the previous item |
DOWN ARROW |
Select the next item or row |
UP ARROW |
Previous item (Easel) or previous row (Thumbnail) |
PAGE UP |
Previous screen |
PAGE DOWN |
Next screen |
HOME |
Select the first item |
END |
Select the last item |
DELETE |
Move the selected item to the Recycle Bin |
SHIFT+DELETE |
Permanently delete the selected item |
LEFT ARROW |
Collapse node |
RIGHT ARROW |
Expand node |
Keyboard shortcuts for working with videos |
|
J |
Move back one frame |
K |
Pause the playback |
L |
Move forward one frame |
I |
Set the start trim point |
O |
Set the end trim point |
M |
Split a clip |
HOME |
Stop and rewind all the way back to the start trim point |
ALT+RIGHT ARROW |
Advance to the next frame |
ALT+LEFT ARROW |
Go back to the previous frame |
CTRL+K |
Stop and rewind playback |
CTRL+P |
Play from the current location |
HOME |
Move the start trim point |
END |
Move to the end trim point |
PAGE UP |
Seek to nearest split point before the current location |
PAGE DOWN |
Seek to nearest split point after the current location |
Windows Help viewer keyboard shortcuts
| Press this key | To do this |
|---|---|
ALT+C |
Display the Table of Contents |
ALT+N |
Display the Connection Settings menu |
F10 |
Display the Options menu |
ALT+LEFT ARROW |
Move back to the previously viewed topic |
ALT+RIGHT ARROW |
Move forward to the next (previously viewed) topic |
ALT+A |
Display the customer support page |
ALT+HOME |
Display the Help and Support home page |
HOME |
Move the to beginning of a topic |
END |
Move to the end of a topic |
CTRL+F |
Search the current topic |
CTRL+P |
Print a topic |
F3 |
Move to the Search box |