Windows 10 accessibility?

Category: Geeks r Us

Post 1 by odicy (Zone BBS Addict) on Thursday, 09-Jul-2015 20:26:17

Hey guys, just wondering if anyone knows anything about windows 10 and jaws yet? How good will they work together; if it'll be possible at all to install the upgrade without assistance; is it even worth it to upgrade from 7?
Just like to hear yalls thoughts!
Thanks,
Dan!

Post 2 by Remy (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 09-Jul-2015 20:37:51

I too would like to know. I got the free upgrade announcement but was leary about doing it. I was not a big fan of the pc tablet hybrid of 8.

Post 3 by rat (star trek rules!) on Friday, 10-Jul-2015 11:22:59

I've been using the Preview image of 10 for a little over a month now, and it really is the best version Microsoft has made in a long time. It melds 7 and 8 together, but it closer to 7 in layout. The upgrade is very easy to do, and Jaws will have support, although it isn't the best as of yet. NVDA has the best support, works almost perfectly in most situations. I would reserve your copy of 10 now, otherwise it could take some time for you to get your turn to download depending on the adoption rate. The enhancements in speed alone make it a worthwhile upgrade. Feel free to contact me via QN or PM if you have other questions, I'll do my best to answer.

Post 4 by forereel (Just posting.) on Friday, 10-Jul-2015 14:15:32

I'll second the post above.
Jaws was just updated on July 1ST, so should be better.
As the system is released, you can expect better Jaws ability.
It is going to take a while for everyone to get the final copy.
Microsoft as done the smart thing, and will roll it out in segments.
If you have Jaws, or NVDA current, upgrading should be easy for you.
As to any major software install, sighted stand by help is always advised.

Post 5 by Ed_G (Zone BBS is my Life) on Friday, 10-Jul-2015 14:32:46

The penultimate FSCast may be worth a listen as Glenn Gordon outlines what
you can expect. As others have said, you'll want to make sure you've installed
the latest update to JAWS 16 prior to updating. You may also need to remove
earlier versions of JAWS in order for the final release to install. Be aware that
the new shiny default browser in Windows 10, Microsoft Edge, is not accessible,
but you'll still have access to IE.

Post 6 by hardyboy09 (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Friday, 10-Jul-2015 19:31:43

Hi, so I was trying to reserve a copy of Win 10 on my Lenovo computer. For some reason, it didn't show up under the system tray. So, I downloaded this batch file, which made the icon show up. But then, when I went to reserve now, nothing happened. When I clicked on upgrade status, it said "Congratulations, you have reserved your copy." I'm wondering if I really did?

Post 7 by forereel (Just posting.) on Friday, 10-Jul-2015 21:14:55

Yes. You did.

Post 8 by odicy (Zone BBS Addict) on Tuesday, 14-Jul-2015 6:16:58

Soooo...Sorry, tbh, I had forgotten I asked about this.
It sounds cool, and it'd be super nice if Microsoft actually didn't mess up too much (windows 8 anyone?). But now my question is: Would anyone recommend me trying to upgrade with jaws 15, I mean, yall have kinda stressed the idea of having 16 but I just don't forsee myself upgrading for at least another month or 2, and maybe not even then because 15 is working well enough.

Post 9 by The Roman Battle Mask (Making great use of my Employer's time.) on Tuesday, 14-Jul-2015 16:18:56

I'm not going to upgrade until Jaws 17 comes out. I don't see a reason to rush since you can upgrade for free until July of 2016.

Post 10 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 14-Jul-2015 16:32:31

No. Jaws 15 is on the list of probrams not compatible with Windows 10.
This comes directly from Microsoft when you run the test to see what will and what won't work.
If you upgrade with Jaws 15, it will be removed as part of the clean up process.
You'll need the latest version of 16.
If you are going to keep Jaws 15, stay with what you have now.

Post 11 by rat (star trek rules!) on Wednesday, 15-Jul-2015 16:01:35

Edge does work with NVDA. Jaws doesn't have support because FS hasn't focused on it. The latest versions of the NVDA next snapshots support edge very nicely, and I rather like how it looks.

Post 12 by maddog (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Thursday, 16-Jul-2015 21:11:04

Yeah, definitely don't upgrade if you have a version of JAWS lower than 16, with at the very least, the July 1 update. I would advise doing what the battle mask is doing, and don't upgrade until JAWS 17. That is what I will be doing as well.

Post 13 by zackmack2000 ( extreme killer of the keys) on Friday, 17-Jul-2015 11:02:17

I do plan on testing out windows10 when it becomes available at the end of the
month. i'm still going to keep my vm of 7 that I have around because I already
have most of my stuff installed on it, but I will try this out for sure

Post 14 by Senior (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Friday, 17-Jul-2015 15:01:56

The only question to which I would like to know the answer to is, if you download Windows 10 and install it that way, will the instalation process be accessible? Will it be like installing Windows updates?

Post 15 by maddog (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Friday, 17-Jul-2015 16:49:51

I believe that freedom scientific said that the installation will require very minimal input from the user. Especially after the installation process has begun. The only thing that you will have to do using narrator is the stuff at the reboot screen when your computer restarts after the installation of windows 10. After that though, JAWS should work as normally, and I guess, NVDA as well.

Post 16 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Friday, 17-Jul-2015 16:53:09

My Windows 10 accepts my JAWS but complains that NVDA isn't compatible and neither does NVDA work with Edge at all. I think it's not yet ready to say, but yes one can install Windows 10 without sighted help. Just use windows+Enter when the hard drive stops turning and that will start Narrator. You need Narrator to get you through a couple screen, review using Capslock and the left and right arrow keys, capslock and space to activate the control the Narrator cursor is on. Helps to do that instead of just tab so you can tell what is being said.

Post 17 by KC8PNL (The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.) on Sunday, 19-Jul-2015 15:08:53

Thank you for that tip, Leo. I'll have to sit out of this upgrade, I didn't get to go to the NFB convention, and cannot afford an upgrade to 16. The last SMA I had expired with JAWS 7.1. LOL

Post 18 by hardyboy09 (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Wednesday, 22-Jul-2015 19:14:22

This is just my recommendation:

Windows 10, when it is released, will have bugs and Jaws will have minimal support, even if it is 16. That being said, if you have more than one machine that can handle Windows 10, use a desktop (maybe one you don't use everyday) to play around with it. I'm excited about the voice assistant, sort of.

Post 19 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 22-Jul-2015 22:34:41

Jaws has full support they say my friend.
As usual, they update it as well.
One user here is using the beta with success.
I intend to update one computer, and see what is different.

Post 20 by Senior (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Thursday, 23-Jul-2015 13:53:27

It is possible for people to wait a year before installing Windows 10. I don't think I'll wait that long. I think a sensible thing to do is wait until the Jaws update that will probably follow soon after, then install it.

I have the luxury of having two computers, and my workload is lighter during the summer holidays.

Post 21 by Senior (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Thursday, 23-Jul-2015 13:55:00

As the Windows update seems accessible enough (I can and do use Narrator), I will have a go at installing Windows 10 myself. I have a local computer shop which I'm sure will be kind enough to help me if it all goes wrong.

Post 22 by rat (star trek rules!) on Thursday, 23-Jul-2015 14:00:53

Those of you who are afraid of bugs with Windows 10 are scaring yourselves a bit too much there. It works very nicely, otherwise I wouldn't have stayed with the preview images like I have. Much faster through the OS, not to mention it can stand up to programs acting strange a lot better than the older versions could as well. Learning the way it works is pretty simple too, it acts very similar to 7 in most respects. Jaws works, to a point, but it will do what most people need. NVDA on the other hand works the best, very few, if any, flaws I've seen so far.

Post 23 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 27-Jul-2015 10:49:30

This article might help some of you avoid problems.
http://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-prepare-your-pc-for-windows-10/

Post 24 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 28-Jul-2015 12:12:28

Freedom Scientific has this page to help with upgrading.
http://www.freedomscientific.com/Support/TechnicalSupport/Windows10Upgrade

Post 25 by Senior (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Wednesday, 29-Jul-2015 8:22:11

It looks like Jaws will just keep working as normal. The page doesn't indicate there will be any temporary loss of Jaws.

My Windows 10 doesn't appear to have started downloading yet, but it seems it is being rolled out gradually, so it may not even happen today.

Post 26 by hardyboy09 (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Wednesday, 29-Jul-2015 14:18:45

Yes, Senior, mine hasn't either. That being said, as you stated in your post, the update is being rolled out gradually, so it may take a while for all users to get the upgrade. I'd be curious if any has gotten it yet? As for the install process, will you lose Jaws speech, and will Jaws be erased?

Post 27 by Senior (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Wednesday, 29-Jul-2015 18:36:45

Two things.

if you haven't received our update, maybe you have and it failed. Look at the Windows Update history. If it failed, the failed update will be in there. Mine failed several times.

Eventually I was able to update my computer. The update downloaded then I was asked if I wanted to upgrade now. I said I had waited long enough and chose upgrade now. Then Jaws stopped speaking. I waited for a long time. I think I waited too long. My computer goes to sleep after a certain time. After a very long time, the installation process was complete but I didn't know it until my computer went to sleep. I awakened it, put Narrator on, completed the wizard, then Jaws came on. Narrator was still on, and said that my computer was being configured and told me to wait.
Me being a most obedient and patient person, I waited, and I waited, until eventually, it was ready.

Internet Explorer has moved to Windows Accessories. The start menu is different, and still a bit too time consuming. Jaws works as does NVDA, even though it says NVDA is compatible. Kurzweil 1000 works as well.

This is the first time I have upgraded a computer completely independently. I am upgrading my other computer now.

Post 28 by Ed_G (Zone BBS is my Life) on Thursday, 30-Jul-2015 15:35:05

Hi. Apologies posting this late as I imagine everyone who wants it may have
Windows 10 by now, but it is/was possible to go and get the download if you
didn't want to wait for it to be pushed to your machine. For anyone who wants
it, you can go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-
download/windows10

This is the version you would download to create a DVD, but you can also
choose Upgrade this PC.

Post 29 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 30-Jul-2015 21:30:35

Yes, I saw that early this morning.
I am going to wait, because I want to see how the roll out works.
I've got two I'll do, but only one first.

Post 30 by hardyboy09 (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Friday, 31-Jul-2015 16:44:09

Hm, Interesting... Thanks for this.

Post 31 by hardyboy09 (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Friday, 31-Jul-2015 16:56:36

Don't see anything titled upgrade this pc.

Post 32 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Friday, 31-Jul-2015 18:58:03

You wont see an upgrade this PC option from what I've seen, but rather a media creation tool which will let you create a DVD or ISO file.
It appears to let you u upgrade from the creation tool (though I haven't tried I it yet.)

Post 33 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Friday, 31-Jul-2015 19:48:50

Yep. the creation tool will let you upgrade the current PC also.

Post 34 by forereel (Just posting.) on Friday, 31-Jul-2015 20:56:09

Tech Savvy. Smile.

Post 35 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Friday, 31-Jul-2015 21:52:26

* Smiles back*

Post 36 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 01-Aug-2015 11:29:18

He! Got it done though. Smile.

Post 37 by zackmack2000 ( extreme killer of the keys) on Sunday, 02-Aug-2015 15:20:28

I plan on going and getting the flash drive version of it though sometime next month, due to my connection not being the fastest out here in the woods.

Post 38 by hardyboy09 (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Tuesday, 04-Aug-2015 9:15:09

Hello, all. Yes, I did try out Windows 10, but because Jaws support is lacking, I have since reverted back to Windows 8.1. This being said, I can always upgrade at a later time when the screen reader works better.

Post 39 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 04-Aug-2015 11:50:07

I'm waiting to get the reserve for my parents computer and play with jaws as a 40 minute demo on there's before I put mine in the upgrade queue.
If you use the Media Creation tool it'll ask for a product key (at least with windows 8.1 on an original Microsoft Surface Pro.
If you are upgrading from Windows 8.1 Jaws must be uninstalled. However this is not the case with windows 7-bassed systems. Not sure why this is?
I've put NVDA on the windows 8.1 system and once the upgrade completes, I'll reput jaws on there.
NVDA on Windows 8.1 doesn't require uninstallation before upgrading to windows 10.

Post 40 by Ed_G (Zone BBS is my Life) on Tuesday, 04-Aug-2015 16:27:41

Hi Jonboy. Interesting, I didn't have to uninstall JAWS 16 when upgrading from
8.1. I just updated to the latest version of JAWS prior to upgrading. I did have
to do a repair when upgrading from Windows 7 though because of the mirror
driver issue. I also didn't have to enter a product key when upgrading to
Windows 10, but this was on a laptop rather than on a Surface.

Post 41 by Hongsen (Zone BBS Addict) on Wednesday, 05-Aug-2015 8:56:51

@Post 39, if I remember correctly, you need to uninstall Jaws before uprading to Windows 10 from Windows 7 but you do not need to do so when upgrading from Windows 8.1. I upgraded from Windows 8.1 and I didn't uninstall my Jaws before doing so and it works fine.

Post 42 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 05-Aug-2015 14:29:13

If you have previous versions of Jaws before the latest upgrade, you will have this issue.
I posted the cleanup tool Freedom suggest you run before upgrading.

Post 43 by wrm2012 (Zone BBS Addict) on Wednesday, 05-Aug-2015 15:58:04

I also upgraded from 8.1 to 10 with JAWS 16 on a laptop and had no issues. Pretty smooth upgrade in my opinion.

Post 44 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 05-Aug-2015 19:41:03

well I had the jaws 16 beta on that surface, (cant you tell I don't use that computer much?) *smiles* so just downloaded and ran the latest build which repaired jaws. I also talked to the tech people at MS, and they said I needed to uninstall the latest version before doing the upgrade and reinstalling it.
I couldn't even read the screen that was asking for the product key with regards to the Media Creation tool, they had to do a screen share and read it for me.

Post 45 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 05-Aug-2015 20:57:52

And for this reason I'm waiting on Microsoft to send it to me.
Again, the tech savvy should use the media creation tool.
I can, and might do it, but due to different systems having different issues, maybe in a few weeks these will be generally covered.
FS told you the fix, but everyone might not experience, and as you can see, has not experienced this.
I remember when Windows 7 came available. I was an early adapter, and I had glitches for about 6 months it seemed.
8.1 for whatever reason was my smoothest upgrade.
Even Vista way back caused issues.

Post 46 by Twinklestar09 (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Wednesday, 05-Aug-2015 22:34:56

I just upgraded to Windows 10, and it's taking some getting used to for me. I like how uncluttered the Start Menu seems to be, but I didn't have much luck with the Microsoft Edge web browser. I have NVDA, System Access, and JAWS (wich I upgraded to 16 before upgrading my PC), and while I was able to tab through the links and navigate to different pages using the address bar, I could not use the arrows or shortcut keys to read anything else with any of my screenreaders. So, since I am still able to use IE, I will stick with browsing with that until accessibility improves for Edge.

Post 47 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 06-Aug-2015 0:33:53

Microsoft suggest that people using screen readers use IE for now.
Seems they did lots of testing for accessibility on this one.
I'd say things will get better with the next updates on screen readers.

Post 48 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 06-Aug-2015 0:34:58

I forgot, other things are working, like Firefox and Chrome, but Microsoft isn't saying this. Smile.