JAWS – Loss of speech in Windows 11 Start Menu

JAWS – Loss of speech in Windows 11 Start Menu

Problem

When using JAWS 2025 in Windows 11 the Start menu is not spoken.

Applies to 

  1. JAWS 2025 (December update 2412)

Resolution

A problem has been corrected in JAWS 2025 December update where the Windows 11 Start menu is not properly spoken when launched.  This problem only affects a small number of users so Freedom Scientific have not targeted its release widely, instead a special update code is required for those who need it or the software may be downloaded and installed to update an existing installation.

Update using special update code (Home users):

Home users can update their JAWS using a special update code which will allow the auto-update mechanism to pick up the replacement update:

1. Open JAWS (INSERT+J).
2. Navigate to Help > About JAWS.
3. Select the Special Update Code button and enter the code 250208.
4. You can now use Check for Updates from the Help menu to install this optional update.


Notes
Note
A online installer is available also to update an existing install:

Use offline download to update existing installation

Users who have an installation on a computer managed by an organisation are advised to seek help from local IT staff to download and install the update using the offline installer to correct the problem:


  1. Log into the workstation with admin credentials.
  2. Then download the installer you need:
  3. Run the installer to update the existing installation.  

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