JAWS · Windows

This guide covers JAWS for Windows web testing. Full Office workflows, scripting, OCR, touch, Tandem, Fusion, and ZoomText-specific behaviour are outside this basic section.

Essentials

Task	Command	What happens
Stop speech	`Control`	Stops current speech.
Read current line	`JAWS key + Up Arrow`	Reads the current line.
Read from current position	`JAWS key + Down Arrow`	Starts continuous reading.
Open JAWS window or menu	`JAWS key + J`	Moves focus to the JAWS window or menu depending on configuration.
Keyboard help	`JAWS key + 1`	Describes keys without performing their normal action.
Search commands	`JAWS key + Space, then J`	Opens Commands Search in current JAWS versions.

Web navigation

Task	Command	What happens
Next or previous heading	`H / Shift-H`	Moves through headings.
Next or previous link	`K / Shift-K`	Moves through links.
Next or previous form control	`F / Shift-F`	Moves through form fields.
Next or previous button	`B / Shift-B`	Moves through buttons.
Next or previous table	`T / Shift-T`	Moves through tables.
List headings	`JAWS key + F6`	Opens the headings list.
List links	`JAWS key + F7`	Opens the links list.
List form fields	`JAWS key + F5`	Opens the form-fields list.
List tables	`JAWS key + Control + T`	Opens the tables list.

Practical notes for this platform

Record Windows version, JAWS version, browser and version, keyboard layout, and whether desktop or laptop layout is active.
Test structural navigation and element lists, not only Tab.
State when virtual cursor or forms interaction changes the result.
Keep enterprise configuration, scripts, and managed-browser constraints visible in the report.

Platform-neutral testing pointers

Before testing

Record device, operating system, browser or app, screen reader, and versions.
Use a combination relevant to the product's supported environments.
Learn the basic commands before judging the interface.

Test a representative task

Identify where you are and the purpose of the current view.
Discover content and controls through the screen reader.
Check names, roles, states, values, order, and relationships.
Operate controls and trigger a meaningful change.
Cause or locate an error, then recover.
Complete the task and find a route back.

Document

Exact starting point and actions used
Expected announcement or behaviour
Actual announcement or behaviour
Impact on the user's task
Whether the result was reproduced

A beginner completing this check does not prove efficiency for regular users, compatibility across every combination, or that user research is unnecessary.

Primary sources

Editorial model reviewed 4 August 2026. Command sheets must be rechecked when Freedom Scientific changes JAWS training or keystroke references.