In this Chapter we will walk you through the process of installing and activating Leasey.
We suggest that you follow this section of the User Guide carefully and systematically. Missing a step (or not carrying it out correctly) could mean that Leasey will be unable to function.
In order for Leasey to function, the JAWS for Windows screen-reader from Vispero should be purchased, installed and successfully activated.
Here are some important things to think about prior to (and during) the installation of JAWS.
When JAWS is installed, try navigating through menus and Dialog Boxes etc and listen to whether JAWS is speaking the information as you would expect. Are you receiving responsive feedback as you move through Windows components? If you type text into a Microsoft Notepad or Microsoft Word document, is JAWS able to read it back using the Up or Down Arrow keys? (Using Microsoft Notepad is a very good test.) If the answer is "Yes", there is every possibility that Leasey should function optimally.
Under most circumstances, it is not necessary to remove any JAWS script files you may have previously installed. However, before installing Leasey, we advise that you check with us to determine whether or not there are likely to be any conflicts. This also applies if you have made extensive customisations, such as reassigning keystrokes.
If you have installed JAWS and have not made any modifications, there should be no difficulty and you can proceed immediately.
Please read the next paragraph extremely carefully as people do make mistakes here.
Prior to installing Leasey, you should be logged onto the Windows account belonging to the person who will use the product. That account should have Administrator Rights during the installation process. If this is not possible, the location of the installation of the JAWS scripts can be changed as you proceed with installing Leasey. We will point out where this is done within this section of the User Guide.
If you have downloaded Leasey from the internet, please locate the file entitled Leasey.zip and press Enter to open the zipped archive. Inside the zipped archive, you will find an executable file. Select the file and press Enter to begin the installation.
If you are already using Leasey, (and you wish to install it into the same JAWS version as before), you can achieve the same effect by activating Leasey's Help system (Leasey Key then "H"), and, from the main help category, select the item, "Download, and Install, the Leasey product". When the installer is downloaded, it will ask if you would like to run it. The default Button is "Yes" so press the Space Bar to proceed.
Installing Leasey is extremely straightforward. Simply run the installer program, the majority of prompts for which will be announced by your JAWS screen-reading software automatically. Please note that the Leasey program is quite large, so it can take a while for the installer to be unpacked and to begin.
In most cases, pressing Enter to activate the “Next” Button on each screen should be sufficient. Following the opening screen, you will be asked to accept the Licence Agreement. Press the Tab key to reach a group of Radio Buttons, any one of which can be selected by pressing the Up or Down Arrow keys. You should select the Radio Button so as to accept the Licence Agreement, then press Enter to proceed. If you wish, you can read the Licence Agreement by pressing the Tab key so as to reach its Edit Field, and then work through it in the usual manner for reading text.
On the next screen, the Leasey installer detects the versions of JAWS which are installed onto the machine and presents you with a series of Radio Buttons, inviting you to choose which release you would like to install Leasey into. Press the Down Arrow key to select the version of JAWS you wish to use,, then press Enter. Leasey can be installed into JAWS versions 2022 through to 2026. If only one version of JAWS is found this screen will be bypassed.
If you wish to install Leasey into another JAWS version at a later date, this can easily be achieved by running the installer a second time and choosing a different version of JAWS from the list.
If you are installing Leasey into JAWS 2026, (and if prior versions of JAWS are detected), you will next be asked if you would like to import your existing settings from JAWS 2024 or 2025. There are three options in the Combo Box: Do not import, import from JAWS 2024 or import from JAWS 2025. If you do choose to import from JAWS 2024 or 2025, this includes any JAWS configuration files, voice profiles and notification rules you may have available in the older JAWS version. If no other versions of JAWS are found on the machine this screen is not displayed.
Prior to copying the necessary files to the computer, you will be asked to confirm the location of the installation of JAWS script files. If JAWS is being used by a person with an alternative Windows account to the one shown, you should correct this in the Edit Field before proceeding, changing the text so it points to the Leasey user's account instead. The majority of users will not have to be at all concerned with this screen and can just press Enter to continue with the Leasey installation. For I T Administrators in a corporate environment however, (who may be logged onto the computer using a different account to that of the user), this will be particularly important.
Finally, prior to the installation proceeding, the installer will make a copy of your existing JAWS settings. These are located at c:\LeaseyData\JAWS XXX Backup, where XXX is the JAWS version number. The reason a folder is created with the JAWS version number is that if you decide to install Leasey into multiple JAWS versions, your original settings from that release can be reinstated if necessary. The installation will then immediately proceed. A dialog box is displayed as follows:
After you press Enter on the Install Button, Leasey will back up your existing JAWS scripts and install the required files. This may take several minutes. During this time, JAWS could become unresponsive. Please be patient during the file copying process.
When the installer has completed creating the additional folders required for Leasey, and copying files to them, you will be prompted to restart the computer and you should comply with this request. This is critical! At that point, if you have chosen to import settings from a previous JAWS version, they should now be active together with the most current version of Leasey.
When the computer is restarted, (and if you are using Leasey), you will hear a message spoken to indicate that Leasey is active, followed by a build number. If you do not hear this, then Leasey has not been installed correctly. We have a number of questions from people with vision who like to know that Leasey is installed. The trick is: Please Listen! Leasey is a product for the visually impaired. Therefore, we should be listening to what is happening and not looking. So please listen out for the Leasey information when JAWS starts.
When the Windows operating system is fully loaded, please wait for approximately one minute. After this time, Leasey will check the Hartgen Consultancy server to determine whether or not an activation key for the product is available for you. This is based on your JAWS for Windows serial number.
If an activation key is not found, you will be asked if you have a manual activation key. This consists of a series of letters and numbers. It can be sent to you by Email. If you have a manual activation key, press the Enter key on the "Yes" Button which is the default option. Type or paste the activation key into the Edit Field and press Enter.
If you do not have an activation key, you will need to select the "No" Button. You will hear messages periodically given, stating that Leasey is running in "Demonstration Mode". "Demonstration Mode" is designed for people who wish to try Leasey for a limited period. The product is fully functional, however you can only use Leasey for up to 15 Demonstration Sessions. What is a Demonstration Session? Good question. A Demonstration Session lasts a period of two hours. When the two hours have elapsed, the number of Demonstration Sessions is incremented by one. Moreover, if you restart JAWS, the number of Demonstration Sessions is also incremented by one. What this means in practice is that you can gain a maximum of 30 hours trial of Leasey which ought to be more than sufficient for anyone to decide whether the program is suitable or not. Please note that some modern Leasey features, such as Leasey Media Centre, Leasey Social and Leasey File Manager, can only be used when the product is fully activated.
When you reach the 14th Demonstration Session, you will be advised of this.
In addition, a message will be spoken every 10 minutes, stating that Leasey is running in "Demonstration Mode".
When you have exceeded the 15 Demonstration Session limit, a message is spoken every 10 seconds. We strongly advise at that point you either uninstall Leasey or purchase an activation file. Leasey can be uninstalled from the Windows Control Panel.
If an activation key is automatically detected, your copy of Leasey will be registered.
After a short pause, JAWS will be closed and then restarted. All being well, you should hear the words, “JAWS for Windows is ready, Leasey is Active”.
If you have purchased Leasey, and you find that the product is operating in "Demonstration Mode", please contact your Leasey distributor immediately!
Please note: You can install Leasey onto multiple machines provided the same JAWS serial number is being used. In other words, JAWS must be activated with the same serial number on each of the computers to host Leasey.
Leasey is updated on a very regular basis. We strongly suggest that you check for updates regularly to ensure you have the latest release and that you are benefiting from the many enhancements and features to come!
To update the product, press the Grave Accent key, release it, then press the letter H. This takes you into Leasey's help system. Check for updates is the first item on this menu. Press Enter on this item. Leasey is updated very frequently. It is suggested that you check for updates on a regular basis. Try to fit it into your usual computing routine, perhaps once a week. Even if you have just installed Leasey for the first time, it is recommended that you check for updates. It is possible that an update may have been released which is not part of the full installer. Press the Leasey Key then H then Enter and you should be all set.
If an update is found, you will be advised of this and it will be downloaded automatically. You will need to press enter or Space Bar on the Install Button which is in focus. The update will then be installed. JAWS will be restarted following the installation.
There is a way in which you can be automatically advised if a Leasey update is available.
Step 1. Press the Grave Accent key, release it, then press the letter "H". This takes you into Leasey's help system.
Step 2. Press Down Arrow until you reach "Toggle Whether Leasey update notifications are spoken when JAWS is started".
Step 3. Press Enter.
You will hear that the feature is enabled or disabled. If it is disabled now, work through the above procedure so as to enable it. This setting will be remembered even if you restart the computer.
Each time JAWS restarts, after approximately one minute Leasey will check for updates. If an update is available, the Leasey logo sound will play quietly in the background and you will be advised how to check for updates. These instructions have already been provided above.
Sometimes, updates are not detected or they will not download to the computer. Should this happen, you can always download the latest full installer of Leasey from our company website. Any Leasey customisations will not be affected if you download the program and install over the top of the existing version. This is by far the safest way of ensuring Leasey is fully up-to-date.
Uninstalling Leasey can be achieved using the Windows Uninstall routine through Add/Remove Programs. The uninstaller will do a number of things:
It will ask if you would like to remove Leasey from all detected JAWS versions. Activate the Yes Button to do this. If you select No, we will work through JAWS version one by one and ask if you would like to remove it from the individual JAWS version.
Whichever method you have selected, if a backup exists of the original JAWS scripts, they will be reinstated. This means two things.
You can return the copy of JAWS back to how it was prior to Leasey being installed, or, If you had previously used Leasey version 11, and you have recently updated to version 11.5, it will return the copy of JAWS back to using version 11.
Enter: Opens the Leasey.zip archive, activates installer Buttons, accepts the focused installer option, or confirms update and activation prompts where described.
Leasey Key then H: Opens Leasey Help, including the options to download and install Leasey, check for updates, and toggle update notifications.
Tab: Moves forward through controls in the installer, including Radio Buttons, Edit Fields and Buttons.
Shift+Tab: Moves backward through installer controls where needed.
Up Arrow and Down Arrow: Move through Radio Buttons or menu options, including choosing the JAWS version and locating update notification settings.
Space Bar: Activates a focused Button or installer control where described.
Y: Confirms Yes when the installer or updater asks a Yes or No question.