> ## 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.

# Installation Guide

> Learn how to download and install NVDA on your Windows computer

## System Requirements

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

### Minimum System Requirements

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Operating System" icon="windows">
    64-bit editions of Windows 10 (22H2 or later) and Windows 11, or Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025
  </Card>

  <Card title="Storage Space" icon="hard-drive">
    At least 500 MB of storage space
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  Both AMD64 and ARM64 variants of Windows 11 are supported, including Copilot+ PCs. However, ARM64 Windows 10 is not supported.
</Note>

<Warning>
  Windows 10 versions older than 22H2 and Windows Server versions older than 2022 are no longer under active support by NV Access.
</Warning>

### Recommended System Requirements

* **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

## Downloading NVDA

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

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Your Web Browser">
    Press the `Windows` key, type "internet" without quotes, and press `Enter`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to Download Page">
    Press `Alt+D` to focus the address bar, type the following address, and press `Enter`:

    ```
    https://www.nvaccess.org/download
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download NVDA">
    Activate the "download" button. Your browser may prompt for an action after downloading.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  NVDA is updated on average four times per year. The latest version is always available from the NV Access website.
</Info>

## 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).

<Steps>
  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Accept the License">
    Press `Tab` to move to the "I agree" checkbox, then press `Spacebar` to check it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Installation Option">
    Press `Tab` to move through the options, then press `Enter` on your desired option.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Installation Options

You have four options when running the NVDA launcher:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Install NVDA" icon="download">
    **Recommended for most users** - Installs NVDA permanently on your computer for easy access. Allows automatic starting after sign-in and access to secure screens.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create Portable Copy" icon="usb-drive">
    Sets up NVDA in any folder without installing. Useful on computers without admin rights or on a USB stick to carry with you.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Continue Running" icon="play">
    Keeps the temporary copy running. Useful for testing features in a new version before installing. Settings changes are not saved.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Cancel" icon="times">
    Closes NVDA without performing any action.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  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.
</Note>

## Installing NVDA

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

<Steps>
  <Step title="Confirm License Agreement">
    From the launcher, ensure the checkbox to agree to the license is checked.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Install Option">
    Press `Tab` to the "Install NVDA on this computer" button and activate it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Additional Installation Options

#### 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.

<Info>
  This option is enabled by default for fresh installations.
</Info>

#### 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.

#### 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.

<Note>
  This option is only available when installing from a portable copy, not when installing directly from the downloaded Launcher package.
</Note>

## Creating a Portable Copy

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

<Steps>
  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy Configuration (Optional)">
    Choose whether NVDA should copy your current NVDA configuration for use with the portable copy. This also includes add-ons.

    <Note>
      This option is only available when creating from an installed copy.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete Creation">
    Press "Continue" to create the portable copy. Once complete, a message confirms it was successful.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Portable Copy Limitations

Portable and temporary copies of NVDA have the following restrictions:

<Warning>
  * 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
</Warning>

## First Launch

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

<Steps>
  <Step title="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
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.

    <Info>
      The keyboard layout is set separately from the NVDA modifier key. Both can be changed later in Keyboard Settings.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Automatic Startup (Optional)">
    Choose whether NVDA should start automatically when you log into Windows.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Close Welcome Dialog">
    Press `Enter` to close the dialog box with NVDA now running.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 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.

<Note>
  Pressing "yes" or "no" saves this setting permanently. You can change it later in the Privacy and Security category of NVDA Settings.
</Note>

## Launching NVDA

After installation, you can start NVDA in several ways:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Keyboard Shortcut" icon="keyboard">
    Press `Ctrl+Alt+N`
  </Card>

  <Card title="Start Menu" icon="bars">
    Choose NVDA from the NVDA menu under Programs
  </Card>

  <Card title="Run Dialog" icon="terminal">
    Type "NVDA" into the Run dialog and press Enter
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  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.
</Info>

## Troubleshooting

### 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.

<Warning>
  You may need to report a bug to the developers. Check the NVDA website for instructions on how to report issues.
</Warning>

### 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.

<Note>
  After installation, you can re-enable incompatible add-ons at your own risk from within the Add-on Store.
</Note>

## Next Steps

<Card title="Quick Start Guide" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
  Learn the basic commands and features to start using NVDA effectively
</Card>