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Quick Tip: Enable Bash Shell in Windows 10

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A picture of the Windows Logo

Windows has made huge advancements in innovation since the release of Windows 10, and this continues with the Anniversary update. A great feature that was added with this update was the ability to install the Bash Shell to use with Windows instead of the standard Windows command prompt.

The Bash Shell is a common command line interface for users to complete tasks on Linux. It is completely text based, and it offers color coding of folders and files. Tasks are completed by typing in commands instead of using the mouse to find and activate items.

Setting up Bash on Windows 10

  1. Open the Settings app
  2. Find Updates and Security
  3. Find the option that says, “For Developers.”
  4. Enable Developer Mode
  5. You can now close settings
  6. Open Control Panel
  7. Navigate to programs
  8. Activate Turn Windows Features On or Off
  9. Find the check box that says, “Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux.”
  10. Activate OK
  11. When prompted, restart your PC
  12. Once your computer has restarted, Open the command line from the Start Menu, or by typing cmd in the search and press enter.
  13. Once the command line is open, type the word bash and press enter.
  14. Windows will ask you if you would like to install Bash and all you need to do is press y and enter.

The final process will take some time to complete, but will have bash ready to go on your PC once it does.

The Future in Microsoft Accessibility

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A picture of the Windows Logo

A day ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Microsoft highlights improvements planned for it’s products and services for 2017, and the changes seem really exciting.

Windows 10 and Narrator

The Windows 10 Creators Update will include improvements to Narrator. Some of these new changes are already available on Insider builds. Other changes will be available in early 2017. They include:

  • Braille: Microsoft says that the Creators Update will include beta support for braille input and output. There will be support for braille displays from more than 35 manufacturers, and support for over 40 languages. Narrator will support multiple braille variants, including grade 2 contracted braille.
  • Unassisted installation: You will be able to install the Windows 10 Creators Update with Narrator, regardless of weather you are setting up a full installation of Windows, or a portable one.
  • New launching method for Narrator: Microsoft has changed the quick keys used to launch Narrator. Due to feedback from users, you will now launch Narrator by pressing CTRL + Windows + Enter. Narrator can still be launched from Cortana or the Settings Window.
  • New Voices and capabilities: Narrator will gain 10 new voices, and multilingual reading, allowing for seamless switching of languages, as long as you have the corresponding voices installed.
  • Improved audio experiences: Microsoft has implemented something they call “Dynamic ducking,” meaning that Narrator will only reduce the volume of other applications when it is speaking. Microsoft has improved handshaking between Narrator and Cortana. Now, Cortana won’t transcribe what Narrator (or other screen readers) are reading.
  • More general reliability and usability improvements: Microsoft added what it says are “features to make it easier to understand the context of a control with which you are interacting and to make it possible to discover information about objects like the background color of a table cell.” Narrator will maintain your navigation mode across applications. Microsoft has also made some cursor positioning improvements to Narrator. They include “stopping and starting where you expect when reading in scan mode and when reading by line, paragraph and in continuous reading.”
  • Easier web browsing with Edge: The responsiveness of Narrator has been improved. Microsoft has added several new features, including the ability to navigate by forms such as check boxes, text fields or buttons. Heading level navigation is also possible.
  • Improvements across devices: It will be possible to use a controller to “drive Narrator interactions on Xbox.” You will be able to adjust the pitch and speed of the Narrator voice on The Xbox.

Support For Third-party Assistive Technology

Microsoft has said that they are “working closely with partners to ensure that they have what they need to deliver great user experiences with Edge, Office and other Windows apps. And, we continue to offer the Window Eyes screen reader free of charge for customers using Office 365.”

And There’s More

For more information on Microsoft’s other exciting accessibility efforts, check out the Microsoft Accessibility blog at  Making Microsoft Products More Accessible, What to expect in 2017 I might be a Mac guy, but I think what Microsoft is doing with accessibility is amazing, and I’d love to play with it. Maybe one day I might be saying Windows Hello to a Surface. While I can’t see that happening right now, who knows what the future will bring, aside from Narrator? Follow us around the web and let us know what you think. Will you upgrade if you already use Windows? Do Microsoft’s accessibility improvements excite you enough to switch from macOS?

Joining the Windows 10 Insider Preview

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A picture of the Windows Logo

Like macOS X, Microsoft offers a Windows beta test program called the Insider Preview program. In a previous episode of the iA Cast we promised a post on how to join this program and here it is.

An important thing to note is that Windows Insider builds are beta versions, and may contain bugs and problems. These builds may even cause your computer to not work properly and I even had to reinstall my graphics card drivers in the latest build to make Magnifier and games work correctly, so installing the Insider Preview will be something you do at your own risk, but they do offer slower upgrade rings so that you get more stable builds which should not have as many problems. For extra stability, a good idea is to set up a restore point on your machine before starting this process

Installing Insider Preview in Windows 10

  1. Join the insider program at the Microsoft’s Windows Insider website
  2. Read the agreement and join the program on the website.
  3. You will need to use your Microsoft account here to join the program.
  4. Back up all important files.
  5. In Windows 10, Open Settings app.
  6. Click updates and Security.
  7. Select Windows Update
  8. Select Advanced Options.
  9. Find the section for Get Insider Builds and select Get Started
  10. Read the disclaimer and go through the prompts.
  11. Restart your computer.
  12. Once your computer restarts, you should go back to the screen for the Insider Preview Builds and select your ring. The ring is for how often you will get Insider builds. the longer the amount of time between builds will allow for the builds to be more stable.

The Insider Preview are as follows;

  • Release Preview – Insider builds for the most stable versions of software and drivers.
  • Slow – Builds that contain minimal risk to applications and services on devices.
  • Fast – Builds that are for those who enjoy being the first to test new software features. These builds can contain bugs and other issues that may effect your system.

By default, all users are signed up for the Release Preview ring but this can be changed at any time. Once you sign up for the Insider program it will take some time for Windows Update to download the Insider build.

Returning to Stable Windows

It is simple to return back to the stable version of Windows 10 if you decide to opt-out of the Insider Preview program

  1. Return to Settings then Updates and Security.
  2. Find Windows Update and select Advanced Options.
  3. There should be an option here that says, “Stop Insider Builds.”
  4. A popup window will appear to turn off insider builds for a certain amount of time.
  5. There will also be an option to stop receiving Insider builds to just stay on the stable version of Windows 10.

If for some reason this process does not work then this would be the time to use the restore point that you created before starting the Insider Preview program.

Conclusion

Microsoft’s Windows Insider Preview program lets users see and test the new features that are coming in future versions of Windows. With the future release of the Windows Creators update, Microsoft has provided testers with an opportunity to shape the future of Windows and improve each update to make the OS more stable and enjoyable.

Unlock Your Computer With Windows Hello

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Windows Hello Logo with text of Windows Hello and Windows 10 logo

These days, we’re always trying to find the most convenient ways to get access to our technology. Some computers come with finger print readers, and most have built in cameras. Microsoft takes full advantage of this with Windows Hello!

With Windows Hello, you can use your face, iris, or fingerprint to access your information on your device. As long as your device has a fingerprint reader or camera that Windows Hello supports. You can also sign in to your computer with Windows Hello companion devices. Some of these devices are specific and can include Microsoft Band and Windows phones.

How to enable Windows Hello

  1. Go to start and select settings.
  2. Go to accounts and then sign in options.
  3. Select Windows Hello.
  4. Select whether you want to add your face, iris o fingerprint. We are going to use fingerprint in this example, but the steps are the same.
  5. Select add another.
  6. Follow the prompts to touch your finger to the print reader. If you are using a screen reader, you may need to use Narrator to hear those prompts.
  7. Once your first print is in the computer, you will be asked to enter a pen. This is another way of verifying yourself if you are not able to use the print you have entered.

Why use Windows Hello?

I have read many articles that say that with the invention of Windows Hello, passwords will become a thing of the past. Windows Hello will also tie in with Windows Passport, making it possible for one person to sign in to their computer without inputting a password or pin number.

I think Windows Hello is a step in the right direction for Microsoft. I hope that more devices will become compatible with this feature.

#iACast 25 – Fruit or Flop?

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Apple invite for its Hello Again event.

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We apologize for the delay in uploading the podcast, but we hope you will enjoy hearing our coverage of the recent Microsoft and Apple Events. The Microsoft Event took place on Wednesday, October 26, and the Apple Event took place on Thursday, October 27.

For information about what was released at Microsoft’s Windows 10 Event, check out this link from BGR.

Microsoft Event October 2016: Announcement recap – everything unveiled

For detailed coverage of the Apple event, check out this great page from MacRumors.

Apple Shares Full Video of Today’s MacBook Pro Event [Update: iTunes Version Available]

At iAccessibility, we have some useful posts about using the Touch Bar on the new MacBook Pro as low vision or blind users.

VoiceOver at the Bar

Zooming in on the Touch Bar

As always, thank you for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, please share it with others and rate us in your podcast app. For feedback and suggestions, please email feedback@iaccessibility.net

#iACast 24 – Silence!!! I Kill the Internet!

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A map showing that much of Friday's Internet outage was over the US.

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Thanks for checking out the #IACast. This episode was recorded on Tuesday, October 25, 2016, and uploaded on Wednesday, October 26, 2016. Let’s get right down to what happened this week!

Like our show? Let us know by tweeting using the hashtag #IACast, and of course share our podcast with friends! Thank you for listening!

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