Desktop Zoom 3.5

Modern operating systems communicate with their users through a graphical interface. This, of course, supposes a handicap for sightless or partially sighted people. However, Windows includes a set of so-called “ease-of-access applications” intended to reduce this disadvantage, fundamentally Narrator and Magnifier. Narrator will read a text aloud when you point to it with your mouse while Magnifier will zoom in parts of the screen.

Desktop Zoom is also an ease-of-access application including both above-mentioned features. The question is: Why would anyone use an application offering features that are already available as part of the operating system? Let us then center on the advantages and disadvantages of Desktop Zoom to help you make your choice.

First, it is true that Desktop Zoom includes more customization options. For example, you will be able to decide on the zoom level, keys used to change zoom, mouse pointer behavior, color settings and tracking options. However, the availability of so many options makes it much more difficult to use. On the contrary, Windows Magnifier includes a few useful options that are easily configured. Regarding the text-to-speech function, there are no real differences between this application and Windows Narrator. In fact, what Desktop Zoom actually does is to use Windows capabilities.

I would not like to make a choice for you. However, I myself would rather use the applications already available in Windows because, in my opinion, the advantages provided by Desktop Zoom are insufficient.