> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/nvaccess/nvda/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# NVDA Settings

> Complete guide to NVDA's general configuration and settings dialog

## 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.

<Note>
  Most NVDA configuration can be performed using dialog boxes accessed through the Preferences sub-menu of the NVDA menu.
</Note>

## 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

## Settings Dialog Structure

The NVDA Settings dialog is organized into multiple categories:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="General Settings" icon="gear">
    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`
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Speech Settings" icon="microphone">
    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`
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Braille Settings" icon="braille">
    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`
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Vision Settings" icon="eye">
    Configure visual enhancements:

    * Focus highlighting
    * Screen curtain
    * Magnifier settings
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Keyboard Settings" icon="keyboard">
    Customize keyboard behavior:

    * Keyboard layout (desktop or laptop)
    * NVDA modifier keys
    * Character and word echo
    * Command key announcement

    **Keyboard shortcut:** `NVDA+control+k`
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Mouse Settings" icon="mouse">
    Configure mouse tracking and reporting
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Review Cursor" icon="cursor">
    Settings for text review functionality
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Document Formatting" icon="document">
    Control what formatting information NVDA reports:

    * Font attributes
    * Tables and lists
    * Links and headings
    * Comments and revisions

    **Keyboard shortcut:** `NVDA+control+d`
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Audio Settings" icon="volume">
    Configure audio output:

    * Output device selection
    * Audio ducking
    * Sound volume
    * Sound splitting
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Navigating the Settings Dialog

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

<Tip>
  Press `F1` when focused on any setting to open context-sensitive help for that option.
</Tip>

## General Settings

The General category sets NVDA's overall behavior:

<ParamField path="Language" type="dropdown">
  Select NVDA's interface language. The default is "User Default, Windows" which uses your Windows language.

  <Note>NVDA must be restarted when changing the language.</Note>
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Save configuration on exit" type="boolean" default="true">
  When enabled, NVDA automatically saves your configuration when you exit.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Show exit options when exiting NVDA" type="boolean" default="true">
  When enabled, shows a dialog with exit options (exit, restart, restart with add-ons disabled, etc.)
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Play sounds when starting or exiting NVDA" type="boolean" default="true">
  Plays startup and shutdown sounds.
</ParamField>

### Startup Options

<ParamField path="Start NVDA after I sign in" type="boolean" default="false">
  Automatically starts NVDA after you sign in to Windows.

  <Note>Only available for installed copies of NVDA.</Note>
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Use NVDA during sign-in" type="boolean" default="false">
  Starts NVDA at the Windows sign-in screen.

  <Warning>Requires administrator privileges. Only available for installed copies.</Warning>
</ParamField>

### Update Settings

<ParamField path="Automatically check for updates" type="boolean" default="true">
  NVDA will automatically check for new versions and notify you when updates are available.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Notify for pending update on startup" type="boolean" default="true">
  Displays notifications about pending updates when NVDA starts.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Update mirror" type="url">
  Optionally configure an alternative update server. By default, NVDA uses the official NV Access server.

  Click **Change...** to set a custom mirror URL.
</ParamField>

## Configuration Profiles

NVDA supports configuration profiles that allow different settings for different situations. See the [Configuration Profiles](/configuration/profiles) page for detailed information.

## Privacy and Security

<ParamField path="Usage statistics" type="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.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Prevent display from turning off" type="boolean" default="true">
  Keeps your display active during say all or when reading with braille, which is useful for presentations.
</ParamField>

## System Configuration

### 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

<Warning>
  This operation requires administrator privileges. Make sure to save your configuration first with `control+NVDA+c`.
</Warning>

## Shortcut Keys for Settings Categories

| Category            | Keyboard Shortcut |
| ------------------- | ----------------- |
| General             | `NVDA+control+g`  |
| Speech              | `NVDA+control+s`  |
| Braille             | `NVDA+control+a`  |
| Keyboard            | `NVDA+control+k`  |
| Document Formatting | `NVDA+control+d`  |
| Voice               | `NVDA+control+v`  |

<Note>
  You can add custom gestures for categories without dedicated shortcuts using the [Input Gestures dialog](/configuration/keyboard-settings#input-gestures).
</Note>

## Saving and Resetting Configuration

### Saving Configuration

To manually save your configuration:

* Press `control+NVDA+c`
* Or select **Save configuration** from the NVDA menu

### 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

<Warning>
  This operation cannot be undone. All custom settings, including profiles and add-on configurations, will be lost.
</Warning>

## Related Topics

* [Configuration Profiles](/configuration/profiles) - Create and manage configuration profiles
* [Speech Settings](/configuration/speech-settings) - Detailed speech configuration
* [Braille Settings](/configuration/braille-settings) - Braille display configuration
* [Keyboard Settings](/configuration/keyboard-settings) - Keyboard customization