NVDA on Windows

Use this page as the Windows-specific reference for NVDA when validating web accessibility after DevTools scans, automation, or scheduling.

When to use this

Use NVDA on Windows when you want to understand how screen-reader users experience page structure, labels, navigation, and interactive controls in desktop web workflows.

Onboarding: install and basic usage

Download NVDA from https://www.nvaccess.org/ and install on Windows 10/11.
Start NVDA with Ctrl + Alt + N (default) or from the Start menu.
Learn single-key navigation: H headings, F form fields, B buttons, K links (NVDA browse mode).
Open your target URL in Chrome or Edge (match what you scan in Accessibility Automation).
Use Tab / Shift+Tab to follow focus order; listen for name, role, and state announcements.
Toggle speech viewer (NVDA menu → Tools) if you need to capture text for bug tickets.

What to validate

page titles and headings
link and button names
form labels and instructions
focus order and keyboard navigation
state announcements for dynamic UI

Suggested first session (30 minutes)

Step	Action
1	Open homepage; confirm title and landmark announcements.
2	Tab through primary nav; every focusable control should speak a sensible name.
3	Open a form; each control should expose label + instructions + errors.
4	Trigger a live region or toast; confirm polite/assertive behavior matches design.