Applies ToSkype for Business

This article is for people who use a screen reader program such as Windows Narrator, JAWS, or NVDA with Microsoft 365 products. This article is part of the Microsoft 365 screen reader support content set where you can find more accessibility information on our apps. For general help, visit Microsoft Support.

You can switch notifications off and on by using Narrator, the built-in Windows screen reader, in Skype for Business in Outlook on the web. This is handy when you’re busy and don’t want to get alerts when you receive instant message requests.

  • New Microsoft 365 features are released gradually to Microsoft 365 subscribers, so your app might not have these features yet. To learn how you can get new features faster, join the Office Insider program.

  • This topic assumes that you are using the built-in Windows screen reader, Narrator. To learn more about using Narrator, go to Complete guide to Narrator.

  • This topic assumes you are using this app with a PC. Some navigation and gestures might be different for a Windows phone or tablet.

  • When you use Skype for Business in Outlook on the web, we recommend that you use Internet Explorer as your web browser. Because Skype for Business in Outlook on the web runs in your web browser, the keyboard shortcuts are different from those in the desktop program. For example, you’ll use Ctrl+F6 instead of F6 for jumping in and out of the commands. Also, common shortcuts like F1 (Help) and Ctrl+O (Open) apply to the web browser – not Skype for Business in Outlook on the web.

Chat notifications are switched on by default. Follow the steps below to switch the notifications off or back on again.

  1. Open Outlook on the web in your browser and, if necessary, sign in.

  2. Press the Tab key until you hear “User settings. Use the Down arrow to use the Skype for Business conversations pane,” and then press Enter.

  3. The Contacts pane opens. Press the Tab key repeatedly until you hear “Turn off chat notifications, button," and press Enter. The notifications are switched off.

See also

Use a screen reader to add people to your contacts in Skype for Business

Use a screen reader to send an Instant Message in Skype for Business

Keyboard shortcuts for Outlook

Basic tasks using a screen reader with Skype for Business

Learn how to navigate Skype for Business using accessible features

Technical support for customers with disabilities

Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.

If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.

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