JAWS – Loss of Virtual PC cursor in Microsoft Edge and Chrome

JAWS – Loss of Virtual PC cursor in Microsoft Edge and Chrome

Problem

When using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge text from the Virtual PC Cursor is not read.  JAWS speaks blank in response to UP/DOWN ARROW keys.

Applies to

  1. JAWS 2025

Cause

This is due to an Google update whcih affects both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge both which use the same code base.  JAWS users may notice loss of functionality in the results viewer related to this change.

Resolution

Freedom Scientific have fixed the probhlem in the 2025 releases, the updated installers were posted 17/04/2025 and are linked below:


Workaround

For those affected who cannot upgrade to 2025 a workaround below will help with the problem:

  1. Press JAWSKey+V to open the Quick Settings dialogue.
  2. At the search prompt enter the word ‘Select’ then press DOWN ARROW to sezrch for Select And Copy.
  3. Press SPACEBAR to toggle the setting to from Full Content Using Screen Highlight to From Virtual Cursor.
  4. Then press ENTER to close the dialogue.


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