jaws no longer working with itunes on windows

Not seeing this problem with iTunes and JAWS 2022.

One issue might be which method your JAWS is using for detecting text on the screen.

In the JAWS Settings Center for the Default Configuration there is a setting called:
"Use Accessibility Driver"
If this setting is checked (which it is for some versions of JAWS) then JAWS is using the legacy method of capturing text on the screen. Unfortunately, because of changes made under the hood by Microsoft for Windows 10, this legacy method (based on the old OSM or Off Screen Model) was not seeing some text written to the screen.

The new GDI-Hooking method for capturing text written to the screen has been under development for some time now and has been available as an optional method to see text on the screen. In the future, all versions of JAWS will be using this new method to see text on the screen.

To use the new method of seeing text (which will be necessary in some appications) the "Use Accessibility Driver" setting in the JAWS Settings Center should not be checked. I have been running this way now for almost two years and have experienced few if any problems.

Hope that explains what might be going on and helps your problem.

--Pete

Using Windows 10, iTunes, and jaws 20. No issues at here. jaws works well so far. You might want to reinstall iTunes from the store. Microsoftor apple.

Using Jaws 2019, Windows 10 and iTunes. No problems here either.

My guess is that you're hitting alt and hearing nothing instead of menus. Try alt plus the first letter of the menu you want, alt by itself does not speak with Jaws 2022.

I know in the past there were two different downloads of JAWS. One was from the Apple website and one was from the Microsoft Store. Unfortunately, I cannot find one on the Apple site anymore. I downloaded a copy on my new laptop from the Microsoft Store and noticed that tab response is extremely inconsistent. IT doesn't matter whether the accessibility driver is enabled or disabled. This version of iTunes isn't an app; it's a crApp.

here is the link to download iTunes directly from Apple's website, as I've heard others have had issues with the Microsoft Store version. https://www.apple.com/itunes/

Hi Tyler
Thanks for the direct download link for Itunes. It also solved my Jaws and Itunes issue.

Mathus

Hello,
When you go to the link provided above from Apple to download iTunes for windows, it just links to the microsoft store. Unless you look at downloading an older version of iTunes, the only version now available is the one that's found on the microsoft store.

Yes, that is what I noticed too. I did not find a link for any current version of windows on the Apple website; rather, every link on that page led either to an older version or to the Microsoft Store.

I agree. I don't get it either. It makes absolutely no sense. I haven't tried Narrator but I guess I will do so. I guess the worst thing that could happen is that it would actually work!

It is possible to download iTunes from the website above after all. Below the link that says get it from the Microsoft Store, there is a button that says "windows". Click that and it will take you to a page where you can download either a 64-bit or a 32-bit version. I havent' tried it yet as I am still at work but plan to reinstall once I get a chance. Thanks for providing that link after all. :)

UPDATE:

I have now uninstalled the Microsoft Store version and installed the version located at https://www.apple.com/itunes/. I am happy to say that the 64-bit version works with JAWS 2022. Thanks to @Tyler for providing that link earlier. Remember, to get the correct version, you have to look below the link telling you to get it from the Microsoft Store and click on the Windows button.

Glad the direct download works. Regarding why the version of iTunes in the Microsoft Store works with NVDA but not JAWS, in my opinion, while the extensive feature set of JAWS has made it quite capable and powerful over the years, it has also made the software feel bloated and cumbersome. That is why I generally recommend NVDA to most blind and low vision Windows users, as I find it has most of the features that most people will need. Also, in my subjective experience, NVDA (and Narrator in a pinch) are much faster, more reliable and less resource-intensive than JAWS on the same hardware.

Personally, I would love to see Vispero (the brand that now owns Freedom Scientific) slim down and improve some of JAWS's components, but that's a whole other discussion.

I've been a JAWS user since 1990 when I had JAWS version 2.2!!!! Yes I'm a relic.

Anyway, the more I hear about NVDA, the more I am thinking it may be time to begin looking at jumping ship. with the way that NVDA seems intent on being constantly improved, not to mention the difference in price, Vespero better start figuring some things out. iTunes is just the latest example.

Here's the direct link to the download,
https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/win64

If you subscribe to jaws home anual, you can get the latest jaws for $95 per year or $8 per month.