These days, most computer users usually have more than one program running at a time. For example, we might be writing something in a word processor while our email program is open in another tab. But for users of JAWS, Fusion and other screen reader and magnification programs, switching between programs can be cumbersome. Fortunately, there are a few easy keystrokes people using the Microsoft Windows operating system can apply to quickly change from one tab to another.
The most common method of switching tabs is to hold down the Alt key and press Tab. Each press of the Tab key will cycle through your open applications. When you reach the application you want, just release the Alt key to bring up that window. This is one of the quickest ways to switch between program windows.
Another way to switch programs in Windows is to press the Windows and Tab keys, which will display a list of all running programs. Use the left and right arrow keys to navigate through the list and press enter to bring up the window you want to use.
Those two options work when using a screen reader, but those using Fusion or Jaws also have another option for switching windows. Pressing the JAWS key, usually set to either the Insert or Caps Lock key, along with the F10 key will bring up a list of currently running programs. In addition to using the arrow keys to move through the list, this method also allows you to use first-letter navigation to quickly locate your desired program. For example, to switch to your inbox, press Insert+F10, then I, and then Enter. This feature is particularly helpful when you have many applications open at once.
If you would like to learn more about moving quickly between programs in Windows, or if you would like to schedule an access technology training session, contact the Council at Info@WCBlind.org or by calling 608-255-1166.
