Microsoft has recently unveiled exciting new features for Windows that will soon be available in the Beta Channel. Among these enhancements are significant improvements to the Narrator tool and the introduction of a Quick machine recovery option, aimed at alleviating common issues related to boot failures.
The Narrator tool is designed to read text on your screen aloud. One of the most notable new features is “speech recap,” which allows users to keep track of what the Narrator has spoken.
This feature will enable users to quickly reference and copy the last spoken text using simple keyboard shortcuts. To access the speech recap, users can press the Narrator key + Alt + X, revealing up to the last 500 spoken strings.
Standard reading commands and arrow keys can be utilized to navigate this recap window. For those wanting to copy the most recent utterance, pressing the Narrator key + Control + X will do just that, which can be particularly handy for noting error codes.
Additionally, the Narrator will now include live transcription of its speech, benefiting Assistive Technology trainers and educators working with visually impaired students. Some useful keyboard shortcuts include Control + Windows key + Enter to toggle Narrator on or off, Narrator key + X to repeat the last spoken line, and Narrator key + Alt + X to access the speech recap.
In a significant shift, Microsoft has also introduced the Quick machine recovery feature, available in the latest Windows Insider Preview build. When enabled, this feature will automatically detect boot issues and apply necessary fixes with minimal user input.
Should a boot failure occur, the device can connect to the internet to send diagnostic information to Microsoft, which will then issue a targeted fix via Windows Update. This feature is enabled by default for home users and can be tested by Windows Insiders immediately.
Microsoft plans to release a test remediation package shortly, allowing users to experience the benefits of quick machine recovery firsthand.