Chromebooks are increasingly becoming popular among users due to their affordability and ease of use. One of the best features that they offer is Chromevox, an accessibility feature designed to help users with disabilities access the internet and make full use of their Chromebooks.
However, some users may not require this feature and hence need to turn it off.
In this article, we will explore 4 quick ways to turn off Chromevox on Chromebooks.
What is Chromevox?
Chromevox is an accessibility feature created by Google for Chrome OS and Chromebooks that provides individuals with disabilities an easier way to access the internet and use their devices to their fullest potential.
It does this via text-to-speech, audio cues, and magnifying features that make the web easier to browse.
4 quick ways to turn off Chromevox on Chromebook:
There are several ways of turning off Chromevox on Chromebooks. The following steps will guide you through the process:
Method 1: Turning Off Chromevox from the ChromeVox menu
To turn off Chromevox from the ChromeVox menu, first open the Chrome OS settings by clicking the ‘Settings’ button in the bottom right corner of your screen. Next, select ‘Accessibility’ from the left-hand side menu.
Here you will find an option for turning off Chromevox; simply toggle this setting to disable Chromevox on your Chromebook.
Method 2: Turning Off Chromevox from the Chrome Browser
You can also turn off Chromevox by opening the Chrome browser and navigating to ‘Settings’ from the wrench icon menu in the top right corner of your screen.
Then, select ‘Advanced settings’, followed by ‘Accessibility’. Now, toggle off the Chromevox.
Method 3: Turning Off Chromevox from the Keyboard
If you are using a keyboard, then you can easily turn off Chromevox by pressing ‘Ctrl + Alt + Z’ simultaneously.
This will disable Chromevox instantly without having to open any menus or settings.
Method 4: Removing the Chromevox Extension
You can also remove the Chromevox extension from your Chrome browser.
To do this, click on the ‘Window’ icon in the top right corner of your screen and select ‘Extensions’.
Here you will find a list of all installed extensions; locate Chromevox and click the ‘Remove’ button next to it to delete the extension from your Chromebook.
Benefits of using Chromevox:
Chromevox provides a number of benefits to individuals with disabilities by making it easier for them to access the internet and use their Chromebooks.
1. Text-to-speech:
Chromevox offers a text-to-speech feature that allows users to hear the contents of webpages, emails and documents.
This makes it easier for visually impaired individuals to access information on the internet without having to rely on help from others or burdensome reading.
2. Audio cues:
The audio cues provided by Chromevox can help people with hearing impairments easily understand what is being said on a webpage.
This helps them to identify important information quickly and without having to ask for assistance or strain their eyes too much.
3. Magnifying features:
Chromevox offers magnifying features that allow users with low vision to enlarge text, images and other content on web pages. This makes it easier for them to identify what is being said and make out any relevant details.
4. Keyboard shortcuts:
Chromevox also offers keyboard shortcuts that allow users with limited mobility to navigate their Chromebooks quickly without having to use a mouse or any other input device.
This not only allows them to access information faster, but also enables more independent usage of their Chromebooks.
5. Easy navigation:
The easy-to-navigate settings provided by Chromevox can make it simpler for users with disabilities to set up and customize their devices as well as access websites more quickly.
This helps them to get the most out of their Chromebooks without having to rely on assistance from others or waste time fiddling with settings.
How to use chromevox on chromebook?
Using Chromevox on your Chromebook is simple and can be done within minutes. The first step is to enable it from the settings menu of your device.
To do this, open the Chrome OS settings menu by clicking on the gear icon located at the bottom right corner of your screen. Then click on “Advanced” followed by “Accessibility” and then enable the “Chromevox” option.
Once Chromevox is enabled, you can begin using it immediately. To use text-to-speech, simply select the text you want to hear and press ctrl+alt+q to start or stop the voice reading process.
To zoom in or out on a webpage, press ctrl+alt+m and then use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate. You can also press ctrl+alt+r to enable or disable the audio cues.
Additionally, you can customize Chromevox according to your preferences by pressing ctrl+alt+c and then selecting the settings tab.
Here you can adjust the speed of the text-to-speech feature, activate or deactivate certain features such as speaking in multiple languages and more.
Why do I need to turn off Chromevox on Chromebook?
Although Chromevox is an incredibly useful feature for individuals with disabilities, some users may find it unnecessary and hence wish to turn it off. Some of the reasons why you might want to disable Chromevox include:
1. If you don’t have any disabilities:
If you don’t suffer from any disabilities or impairments, then you probably won’t need the features provided by Chromevox.
In this case, turning off the feature can free up some system resources that can be used for other purposes such as streaming media or playing games.
2. If you prefer to use other accessibility features:
There are a number of other accessibility tools and settings available on Chrome OS that can be used instead of Chromevox. If you prefer to use these, then you may wish to disable Chromevox in order to make the most out of your device.
3. To save battery life:
Chromevox is an energy-intensive feature and having it enabled can result in reduced battery life on your Chromebook. If you are concerned about conserving power on your Chromebook, then disabling Chromevox may be the way to go.
4. To improve system performance:
Chromevox can take up a significant amount of system resources, which in turn can slow down the overall performance of your Chromebook.
If you are experiencing any lag or sluggishness on your device, then turning off Chromevox may help to alleviate this issue.
Troubleshooting common issues while turning Off Chromevox on Chromebook:
It is possible that you may run into some issues while attempting to turn off Chromevox on your Chromebook. Some common issues include:
1. Unable to find the Chromevox menu option in Chrome OS settings:
If you are unable to locate the Chromevox menu option in Chrome OS settings, then it is likely that Chromevox is not installed on your Chromebook.
You can verify this by opening the Chrome browser and navigating to ‘Settings’ from the wrench icon menu in the top right corner of your screen. Then, select ‘Advanced settings’ followed by ‘Accessibility’. If Chromevox is not listed here, then it is likely that it is not installed on your device.
2. Keyboard shortcut not working:
If you are unable to use the keyboard shortcut ‘Ctrl + Alt + Z’ to turn off Chromevox, then it is likely that you have pressed the wrong keys or combination of keys.
Make sure that you press all three keys simultaneously and hold them down for a few moments in order for them to take effect.
3. Unable to remove Chromevox extension:
If you are having trouble removing the Chromevox extension, then it is likely that you do not have administrative access on your Chromebook. In order to delete an extension, you must have administrative privileges in order to confirm the deletion.
What are the other alternatives for disabling Chromevox?
If you are looking for alternatives to disabling Chromevox on your Chromebook, then there are a few options available. These include:
1. Use an alternative screen reader:
Instead of turning off Chromevox, you can use an alternative screen reader such as NVDA or JAWS. Both of these programs provide almost the same features as Chromevox but are much more customizable.
2. Use an alternative browser:
You can also try using an alternative browser such as Firefox or Edge instead of Chrome OS. These browsers provide their own accessibility features that may suit your needs better than Chromevox.
3. Customize Chromevox settings:
Instead of disabling Chromevox altogether, you can customize the settings to suit your needs better.
For example, you can adjust the volume, change the language, or change other settings in order to make Chromevox more suitable for your particular use case.
4. Use a third-party extension:
There are also a number of third-party extensions available that provide similar features as Chromevox. These extensions can be installed on your Chromebook and used instead of Chromevox if you prefer.
Final Words:
Disabling Chromevox on your Chromebook is a relatively straightforward process. You can use the Chrome OS settings menu, the Chrome browser, or even keyboard shortcuts to turn off this feature quickly and easily.
Additionally, there are also a number of alternative options such as using an alternative screen reader or browser, customizing Chromevox settings, or using third-party extensions to suit your needs better.
Regardless of which method you choose, it is important to remember that disabling Chromevox can help conserve battery life or improve system performance.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily turn off Chromevox on your Chromebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when you uninstall Google Voice?
The voice talking on your Chromebook is likely coming from ChromeVox, a built-in accessibility feature designed to help people with visual impairments navigate their device more easily.
Is turning off Chromevox bad for my computer?
No, turning off Chromevox is not necessarily bad for your computer. In fact, it can often improve system performance or even help conserve battery life.
However, it is important to remember that Chromevox provides a valuable service for those with visual impairments and should only be disabled if absolutely necessary.
Are Chromebooks voice activated?
No, Chromebooks are not voice activated. However, they do come equipped with Chromevox, a built-in accessibility feature designed to help users navigate their devices more easily. This feature can be turned off if necessary.
What does Ctrl Alt T do on Chromebook?
Ctrl Alt T is a keyboard shortcut that opens the Chrome OS shell. This command line interface can be used to access advanced features or troubleshoot certain issues on your Chromebook.
What happens when you uninstall Google Voice?
When you uninstall Google Voice, it will no longer be available on your Chromebook. All of the features associated with Google Voice such as text messages and voice calls will no longer function.
Additionally, any contacts associated with your account will also be removed from your device.