> ## 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.

# Welcome to NVDA

> Free and open source screen reader for Microsoft Windows enabling blind and vision impaired users to independently access their computer

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    style={{
fontFamily: 'Oswald',
fontWeight: 700,
fontSize: '48px',
color: '#3B2B57',
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  >
    NVDA - Screen Reader for Windows
  </h1>

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    style={{
fontFamily: 'Open Sans',
fontSize: '18px',
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  >
    Empowering blind and vision impaired people to independently interact with the Windows Operating System and popular third-party applications through synthetic speech and refreshable braille displays.
  </p>

  <div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: '1rem', justifyContent: 'center', flexWrap: 'wrap' }}>
    <a
      href="/installation"
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    >
      Get Started
    </a>

    <a
      href="https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda"
      style={{
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  color: '#4b3661',
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    >
      View on GitHub
    </a>
  </div>
</div>

## Why NVDA?

NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is developed by NV Access in partnership with a dedicated open source community. It enables blind and vision impaired people to increase their chances at education and employment, and to participate in and contribute to society.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Free & Open Source" icon="heart">
    Completely free to download, use, and share. No licensing fees ever.
  </Card>

  <Card title="50+ Languages" icon="globe">
    Translated into over 50 languages with an active translation community.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Extensible" icon="puzzle-piece">
    Powerful add-on system to extend functionality and support more applications.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Key Features

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Speech Synthesis" icon="volume-high" href="/features/speech-synthesis">
    Multiple voice engines including eSpeak, SAPI5, and OneCore for natural-sounding speech output
  </Card>

  <Card title="Braille Displays" icon="braille" href="/features/braille-displays">
    Support for over 50 refreshable braille displays from leading manufacturers
  </Card>

  <Card title="Browse Mode" icon="browser" href="/features/browse-mode">
    Navigate web pages and documents efficiently with quick navigation keys
  </Card>

  <Card title="Vision Enhancements" icon="eye" href="/features/vision-enhancements">
    Screen curtain, focus highlighting, and other vision enhancement features
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Get Started

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download NVDA">
    Download the latest version of NVDA from the official website or GitHub releases
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install and Configure">
    Run the installer and configure your speech and braille preferences
  </Step>

  <Step title="Learn the Basics">
    Master the essential keyboard commands and navigation techniques
  </Step>
</Steps>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Installation Guide" icon="download" href="/installation">
    Step-by-step installation instructions for all NVDA versions
  </Card>

  <Card title="Quick Start Guide" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
    Get up and running with NVDA in minutes
  </Card>

  <Card title="User Guide" icon="book-open" href="/user-guide/basic-usage">
    Complete guide to using NVDA effectively
  </Card>

  <Card title="Keyboard Commands" icon="keyboard" href="/user-guide/keyboard-commands">
    Reference of all NVDA keyboard shortcuts
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## For Developers

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Development Setup" icon="code" href="/development/setup">
    Set up your development environment to build NVDA from source
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create Add-ons" icon="plug" href="/development/addons/overview">
    Extend NVDA's functionality with custom add-ons
  </Card>

  <Card title="Architecture Guide" icon="sitemap" href="/development/architecture/overview">
    Understand NVDA's internal architecture and components
  </Card>

  <Card title="API Reference" icon="file-code" href="/development/addons/api-reference">
    Complete API documentation for add-on developers
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Community

NVDA is built and maintained by a global community of developers, translators, and users.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Get Support" icon="life-ring" href="/community/support">
    Find help from the NVDA community through mailing lists and forums
  </Card>

  <Card title="Report Issues" icon="bug" href="/community/issue-reporting">
    Report bugs and request features on GitHub
  </Card>

  <Card title="Contribute" icon="users" href="/development/contributing">
    Join the community and contribute code, translations, or documentation
  </Card>

  <Card title="Product Vision" icon="compass" href="/community/product-vision">
    Learn about NVDA's guiding principles and future direction
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Supported Platforms

<Info>
  NVDA runs on Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2016 and later. Both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures are supported.
</Info>

## License

NVDA is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2 or later. This ensures it remains free and open source forever.

<Card title="Read the License" icon="scale-balanced" href="https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/copying.txt">
  View the complete license text on GitHub
</Card>