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System Requirements

Before installing NVDA, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

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Minimum System Requirements

Operating System

64-bit editions of Windows 10 (22H2 or later) and Windows 11, or Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025

Storage Space

At least 500 MB of storage space
Both AMD64 and ARM64 variants of Windows 11 are supported, including Copilot+ PCs. However, ARM64 Windows 10 is not supported.
Windows 10 versions older than 22H2 and Windows Server versions older than 2022 are no longer under active support by NV Access.
  • Operating Systems: Windows 11 or Windows 10 (Version 22H2), and Windows Server 2025 or 2022
  • Storage: At least 500 MB of storage space
  • RAM: At least 4 GB of RAM

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Downloading NVDA

NVDA is completely free for anyone to use. There is no license key to worry about or expensive subscription to pay.
1

Open Your Web Browser

Press the Windows key, type “internet” without quotes, and press Enter
2

Navigate to Download Page

Press Alt+D to focus the address bar, type the following address, and press Enter:
https://www.nvaccess.org/download
3

Download NVDA

Activate the “download” button. Your browser may prompt for an action after downloading.
4

Run the Installer

Depending on your browser, the file may run automatically. If not:
  • Press Alt+N to move to the notification area
  • Then press Alt+R to run the file
NVDA is updated on average four times per year. The latest version is always available from the NV Access website.

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Running the Launcher

The setup file is named “nvda_2022.1.exe” or similar (the year and version changes between updates to reflect the current release).
1

Wait for Temporary Copy to Load

After running the downloaded file, wait a few seconds while a temporary copy of NVDA loads. Once loaded, NVDA will speak throughout the rest of the process.
2

Review License Agreement

The NVDA Launcher window appears with a button to open the license agreement. Press the Down Arrow to read the license agreement.
3

Accept the License

Press Tab to move to the “I agree” checkbox, then press Spacebar to check it.
4

Choose Installation Option

Press Tab to move through the options, then press Enter on your desired option.

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Installation Options

You have four options when running the NVDA launcher:

Install NVDA

Recommended for most users - Installs NVDA permanently on your computer for easy access. Allows automatic starting after sign-in and access to secure screens.

Create Portable Copy

Sets up NVDA in any folder without installing. Useful on computers without admin rights or on a USB stick to carry with you.

Continue Running

Keeps the temporary copy running. Useful for testing features in a new version before installing. Settings changes are not saved.

Cancel

Closes NVDA without performing any action.
NVDA does not need access to the Internet to run or install once the launcher is downloaded. If available, an internet connection enables NVDA to check for updates periodically.

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Installing NVDA

These steps walk through the most common setup options for a full installation.
1

Confirm License Agreement

From the launcher, ensure the checkbox to agree to the license is checked.
2

Select Install Option

Press Tab to the “Install NVDA on this computer” button and activate it.
3

Configure Installation Options

You’ll see options to:
  • Use NVDA during Windows sign-in (checked by default)
  • Create a desktop shortcut with Ctrl+Alt+N hotkey (checked by default)
Press Tab and Spacebar to change any options if desired.
4

Accept User Account Control

A Windows UAC dialog appears asking “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your PC?”Press Alt+Y to accept the UAC prompt.
5

Wait for Installation

A progress bar fills up as NVDA installs. NVDA sounds an increasingly higher pitched beep during this process. This is often fast and may not be noticed.
6

Complete Installation

A dialog box confirms the install was successful with the message “Press OK to start the installed copy.”Press Enter to start the installed copy.

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Additional Installation Options

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Use NVDA During Sign-in

This option allows NVDA to automatically start while at the Windows sign-in screen, before you have entered a password. This also includes User Account Control and other secure screens.
This option is enabled by default for fresh installations.

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Create Desktop Shortcut

This option creates a shortcut on the desktop to start NVDA. If created, the shortcut is assigned the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+N, allowing you to start NVDA at any time.

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Copy Portable Configuration

When installing from a portable copy, you can choose whether NVDA should copy the user configuration from the currently running NVDA into the configuration for the installed copy.
This option is only available when installing from a portable copy, not when installing directly from the downloaded Launcher package.

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Creating a Portable Copy

A portable copy allows you to run NVDA from a USB flash drive or other portable media.
1

Choose Create Portable Copy

From the launcher, press the “Create Portable Copy” button. Alternatively, from an installed copy, choose “Create Portable copy” from the Tools menu in the NVDA menu.
2

Select Destination

Choose where the portable copy should be created. This can be:
  • A directory on your hard drive
  • A location on a USB thumb drive
  • Other portable media
By default, a new directory is created for the portable copy.
3

Copy Configuration (Optional)

Choose whether NVDA should copy your current NVDA configuration for use with the portable copy. This also includes add-ons.
This option is only available when creating from an installed copy.
4

Complete Creation

Press “Continue” to create the portable copy. Once complete, a message confirms it was successful.

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Portable Copy Limitations

Portable and temporary copies of NVDA have the following restrictions:
  • Cannot automatically start during and/or after log-on
  • Cannot interact with applications running with administrative privileges (unless NVDA also runs with these privileges - not recommended)
  • Cannot read User Account Control (UAC) screens when starting an application with admin privileges
  • Cannot support input from a touchscreen
  • Cannot provide features such as browse mode and speaking of typed characters in Windows Store apps
  • Audio ducking is not supported

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First Launch

When NVDA starts for the first time, you’ll be greeted by a Welcome Dialog:
1

Select Keyboard Layout

Choose between Desktop and Laptop keyboard layout:
  • Desktop: Uses the number pad for some functions
  • Laptop: Reassigns number pad functions to other keys
2

Configure NVDA Modifier Key

By default, Insert is set as the NVDA modifier key. You can also select Caps Lock as an alternate modifier key.
The keyboard layout is set separately from the NVDA modifier key. Both can be changed later in Keyboard Settings.
3

Set Automatic Startup (Optional)

Choose whether NVDA should start automatically when you log into Windows.
4

Close Welcome Dialog

Press Enter to close the dialog box with NVDA now running.

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Usage Statistics Dialog

When starting NVDA for the first time, a dialog will ask if you want to allow sending usage data to NV Access to help improve NVDA.
Pressing “yes” or “no” saves this setting permanently. You can change it later in the Privacy and Security category of NVDA Settings.

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Launching NVDA

After installation, you can start NVDA in several ways:

Keyboard Shortcut

Press Ctrl+Alt+N

Start Menu

Choose NVDA from the NVDA menu under Programs

Run Dialog

Type “NVDA” into the Run dialog and press Enter
As NVDA starts, you will hear an ascending set of tones. Depending on your computer speed, it may take a few seconds to fully load.

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Troubleshooting

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NVDA Won’t Start

If you don’t hear the ascending tones, or you hear the Windows error sound or a descending set of tones, this means NVDA has encountered an error.
You may need to report a bug to the developers. Check the NVDA website for instructions on how to report issues.

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Incompatible Add-ons Warning

If you have add-ons already installed, you may see a warning that incompatible add-ons will be disabled. You must use the checkbox to confirm you understand before continuing.
After installation, you can re-enable incompatible add-ons at your own risk from within the Add-on Store.

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Next Steps

Quick Start Guide

Learn the basic commands and features to start using NVDA effectively

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