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This article is for people with visual impairments who use a screen reader program with Skype and is part of the Skype Accessibility content set. For more general help, visit Skype Support home.
Use Skype with your keyboard and a screen reader, such as NVDA, or Narrator, the built-in Windows screen reader, to sign in and communicate with others. You can make calls, use instant messaging (IM) to chat, and set Skype to start automatically when you start Windows. The information provided in this article is for use with the latest version of Skype. For more information, please go to How do I update Skype?
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In this topic
Open Skype and sign in
Sign in to Skype for the first time
Once you've installed Skype for Windows, you'll need to sign in or create an account. If you previously signed in to Skype, but chose not to have your device remember your settings when you signed out, you'll need to follow these steps.
- To open Skype, press the Windows logo key and type Skype. You hear "Skype." Press Enter.
- When Skype opens, you will hear "Sign in or create button". Press Enter.
- You will hear "Enter your email, phone, or Skype". Type your Skype name, phone number, or email, then press the Tab key until you hear "Next button", and then press Enter.
- If you want to create a new account, press the Tab key until you hear "Create a Microsoft account", and then press Enter. You'll be taken through the process to create a new account.
- The focus moves to the Password field. Type your password, then press the Tab key until you hear "Sign in button", then press Enter.
- Skype may open a dialog asking you to select initial settings, such as your profile picture, the microphone, and the camera. To move through the dialogs, press the Tab key. To select an option, press Enter.
You're now signed in to Skype. To sign out of Skype, reference the Sign out of Skype section in this article.
Sign in to Skype once you've signed out
Once you've signed in for the first time, Skype opens without prompting you to sign in the next time unless you've specifically selected to sign out. If you have signed out and selected to remember your account settings, Skype allows you to sign in with the previous account. On the Sign in screen, press the Tab key until you hear the name of your account, then press Enter.
To sign in to another account, press the Tab key until you hear "Use another account", and then press Enter. Type your Skype name, email, or phone, press the Tab key until you hear "Next," and then press Enter. Type your password, press the Tab key until you hear "Sign in button," and then press Enter.
Start Skype automatically when you start Windows
- In Skype, press Ctrl+comma sign (,) to open the Settings dialog. Press the Tab key until you hear “General,” and then press Enter.
- Press the Tab key until you hear “Automatically start Skype.”
- Press Spacebar to change the value. With NVDA, you hear “On” or "Off."
- To close the Settings dialog, press the Escape (Esc) key.
Make and answer a call
- In the Skype main window, press the Tab key until you hear "People, groups and messages." Press Enter.
- Type the person's name, address, or phone number. The search is performed while you type.
- To move to the list of results, press the Tab key repeatedly until you hear the first result. If there are more results, browse the list using the Down and Up arrow keys. The screen reader announces the contacts as you move. To select a person, press Enter.
- When trying to access the result list, if no results are found for a name or address, you will hear "Invite to Skype". Press Enter to send an invitation. If no results are found for a phone number, you will hear "Call number" and can press Enter to make the call.
- To start or answer an audio call, press Ctrl+Shift+P.
To start a video call or toggle video on or off, press Ctrl+Shift+K. You will hear "video on" or "video off". - To hang up the call, press Ctrl+Shift+H.
Chat via IM
- In the Skype main window, press the Tab key until you hear "People, groups and messages." Press Enter.
- Type the person's name, address, or phone number. The search is performed while you type.
- To move to the list of results, press the Tab key repeatedly until you hear the first result. If there are more results, browse the list using the Down and Up arrow keys. The screen reader announces the contacts as you move.
To select a person, press Enter. The focus moves to the Type a message text input field. - Type in the message and press Enter to send it.
- The screen reader reads aloud any messages you receive. The focus remains in the text input field, so you can type and send more messages.
Sign out of Skype
- In the Skype main window, press Alt+F to open the File menu, then press S to Sign Out.
- You will hear "Remember account and application settings on this device? dialog". To choose whether you would like Skype to remember your account and application settings when you sign out, press the Tab key until you hear "Yes button" or "No button", select the one you want and then press Enter.
Technical support for customers with disabilities
Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.
If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.
