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Overview

NVDA provides comprehensive configuration options through the NVDA Settings dialog. This multi-category dialog allows you to customize nearly every aspect of NVDA’s behavior to suit your needs.
Most NVDA configuration can be performed using dialog boxes accessed through the Preferences sub-menu of the NVDA menu.

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Accessing NVDA Settings

You can open the NVDA Settings dialog in several ways:
  • Press NVDA+n to open the NVDA menu, then navigate to Preferences > Settings
  • Use the direct keyboard shortcut for specific categories (see below)
  • Some categories have dedicated shortcut keys that open directly to that section

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Settings Dialog Structure

The NVDA Settings dialog is organized into multiple categories:
Configure NVDA’s overall behavior including:
  • Interface language
  • Save configuration on exit
  • Startup and exit sounds
  • Automatic updates
  • Start after sign-in
Keyboard shortcut: NVDA+control+g
Control speech output including:
  • Synthesizer selection
  • Voice parameters (rate, pitch, volume)
  • Symbol pronunciation level
  • Automatic language switching
  • Capital letter announcements
Keyboard shortcut: NVDA+control+s
Configure braille display options:
  • Display selection
  • Translation and input tables
  • Cursor settings and blink rate
  • Message display behavior
  • Tethering options
Keyboard shortcut: NVDA+control+a
Configure visual enhancements:
  • Focus highlighting
  • Screen curtain
  • Magnifier settings
Customize keyboard behavior:
  • Keyboard layout (desktop or laptop)
  • NVDA modifier keys
  • Character and word echo
  • Command key announcement
Keyboard shortcut: NVDA+control+k
Configure mouse tracking and reporting
Settings for text review functionality
Control what formatting information NVDA reports:
  • Font attributes
  • Tables and lists
  • Links and headings
  • Comments and revisions
Keyboard shortcut: NVDA+control+d
Configure audio output:
  • Output device selection
  • Audio ducking
  • Sound volume
  • Sound splitting
Once the dialog is open:
  1. Switch between categories: Use tab or shift+tab to reach the category list, then use arrow keys
  2. Quick category switching: Press ctrl+tab to move forward or shift+ctrl+tab to move backward
  3. Apply changes: Press the Apply button to save settings without closing the dialog
  4. Save and close: Press OK to save settings and close the dialog
  5. Cancel changes: Press Cancel or escape to discard changes
Press F1 when focused on any setting to open context-sensitive help for that option.

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General Settings

The General category sets NVDA’s overall behavior:
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Language
dropdown
Select NVDA’s interface language. The default is “User Default, Windows” which uses your Windows language.
NVDA must be restarted when changing the language.
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Save configuration on exit
boolean
default:"true"
When enabled, NVDA automatically saves your configuration when you exit.
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Show exit options when exiting NVDA
boolean
default:"true"
When enabled, shows a dialog with exit options (exit, restart, restart with add-ons disabled, etc.)
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Play sounds when starting or exiting NVDA
boolean
default:"true"
Plays startup and shutdown sounds.

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Startup Options

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Start NVDA after I sign in
boolean
default:"false"
Automatically starts NVDA after you sign in to Windows.
Only available for installed copies of NVDA.
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Use NVDA during sign-in
boolean
default:"false"
Starts NVDA at the Windows sign-in screen.
Requires administrator privileges. Only available for installed copies.

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Update Settings

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Automatically check for updates
boolean
default:"true"
NVDA will automatically check for new versions and notify you when updates are available.
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Notify for pending update on startup
boolean
default:"true"
Displays notifications about pending updates when NVDA starts.
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Update mirror
url
Optionally configure an alternative update server. By default, NVDA uses the official NV Access server.Click Change… to set a custom mirror URL.

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Configuration Profiles

NVDA supports configuration profiles that allow different settings for different situations. See the Configuration Profiles page for detailed information.

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Privacy and Security

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Usage statistics
boolean
default:"false"
When enabled, NVDA sends anonymous usage statistics to NV Access to help improve NVDA.This setting is configured during first-time setup.
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Prevent display from turning off
boolean
default:"true"
Keeps your display active during say all or when reading with braille, which is useful for presentations.

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System Configuration

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Copying Settings to System Profile

You can copy your current NVDA configuration to the system configuration, allowing your settings to be used:
  • During Windows sign-in
  • On User Account Control (UAC) screens
  • On other secure screens
To copy settings:
  1. Open General Settings (NVDA+control+g)
  2. Click Use currently saved settings during sign-in and on secure screens
  3. Select which add-ons to copy (only enabled add-ons recommended)
  4. Confirm the operation
This operation requires administrator privileges. Make sure to save your configuration first with control+NVDA+c.

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Shortcut Keys for Settings Categories

CategoryKeyboard Shortcut
GeneralNVDA+control+g
SpeechNVDA+control+s
BrailleNVDA+control+a
KeyboardNVDA+control+k
Document FormattingNVDA+control+d
VoiceNVDA+control+v
You can add custom gestures for categories without dedicated shortcuts using the Input Gestures dialog.

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Saving and Resetting Configuration

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Saving Configuration

To manually save your configuration:
  • Press control+NVDA+c
  • Or select Save configuration from the NVDA menu

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Resetting to Factory Defaults

To reset NVDA to factory defaults:
  1. Open the NVDA menu (NVDA+n)
  2. Navigate to Preferences
  3. Select Reset configuration to factory defaults
  4. Confirm the reset
  5. NVDA will restart with default settings
This operation cannot be undone. All custom settings, including profiles and add-on configurations, will be lost.