Tech How Do I Make My Laptop Read Text Aloud?

Windows 7. Do I have to download an app or is there some software built in to do this? ( there should be if there isn't) Cannot believe this is not a standard feature.

And no, I do not want Windows to read out computer commands, updates etc. I want to highlight text from a webpage and have it read aloud.

 

It's under accessibility and the feature is called Narrator. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hear-text-read-aloud-narrator#1TC=windows-7

Other accessibility features are summarized here: http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/windows7/

 

Nope. That just makes the computer speak out all the normal features of a window that one normally sees ie. Updates on the Toolbar etc. I'm looking for something to read website text or a PDF I find on the Internet etc.....

 

Try different extensions for your browser. Google plugins:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/speakit/pgeolalilifpodheeocdmbhehgnkkbak?hl=en

 

After talking to someone that requires this, these are the products that they recommend based on your browser preference.

Chrome
Select and Speak - https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/select-and-speak/gfjopfpjmkcfgjpogepmdjmcnihfpokn
SpeakIt! - https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/speakit/pgeolalilifpodheeocdmbhehgnkkbak

Firefox
Simple TTS - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/simple-tts/