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Narrator is a light-duty screen reader utility packaged with Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista. Narrator reads dialog boxes and window controls in a number of the more basic applications for Windows.

While Microsoft recommends that the visually impaired purchase a full-function screen reader for general computer use, Narrator is a significant piece of software for a number of reasons. Narrator is included with every copy of Microsoft Windows, providing a measure of access to Windows without the need to install additional software as long as the computer in use includes a sound card and speakers or headphones. Windows 2000 was the Microsoft operating system released with some degree of accessibility for the blind built in, permitting a blind person to walk up to any such computer and make some use of it immediately.

Narrator can assist a blind person in installing a full-function screen reader, assisting the user until his/her screen reader of choice is up and running. As well, because Narrator is a lightweight screen reader that requires minimal "hooks" into the operating system, Narrator can provide speech when a full-function screen reader might be unable to do so such as during the process of updating video drivers.

Narrator may be seen as a precursor to inclusion of more complete screen readers as part of a computer's operating system. In 2005 Apple Computer released its Mac OS X operating system with a full-function screen reader, VoiceOver, included.

The Windows 2000 version of Narrator uses SAPI 4 and allows the use of other SAPI 4 voices. The Windows XP version uses the newer SAPI 5, however, it only allows the use of the default voice, Microsoft Sam, even if other voices have been installed. In Windows Vista, Narrator has been updated to use SAPI 5.3 and the Microsoft Anna voice.

A glitch occurs when the program pronounces the word "soi". The resulting word is said as "sh" and then a sound resembling a helicopter taking off. This is due to the word being three ethereal sounds in progression and making up the entire word, causing the software to implement a filler noise. This infamous glitch has given rise to the popular Internet meme, "my ROFLcopter goes soi soi soi", because this, when said by Narrator, resembles the helicopter sound quite well. Similarly, having the program pronounce a succession of "tx"s with a vowel (including "y") in front results in a sound of a sprinkler. Doing this with the letters "bv" results in a guitarlike sound. The word "tche" is also glitched, resulting in a hissing-click noise.

Microsoft Anna, the default synthesizer in Windows Vista, does not have the "soi" glitch, but the "tx" glitch remains.

• List of Microsoft Windows components

• Windows XP accessibility tips (microsoft.com)