[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "using%20a%20screen%20reader%2C%20how%20do%20i%20hide%20the%20timer%20to%20read%20a%20powerpoint%20set%20of%20slides%20with%20jaws%20in%20slideshow%20mode"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here\u2019s what I found: there isn\u2019t a direct built-in option in PowerPoint (or via JAWS) to *hide* the elapsed timer entirely from your screen during a slideshow, such that even your screen reader doesn\u2019t announce it. But there *are* a few options and workarounds that might help depending on what exactly you want. I\u2019ll explain them and what their limitations are.\n\n---\n\n## What PowerPoint / JAWS Actually Does\n\n- In PowerPoint\u2019s **Presenter View**, there\u2019s a timer displayed (by default, upper-left corner) that shows how long the presentation has been running. You can *pause* or *reset* it via on-screen buttons. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/use-presenter-view-in-powerpoint-fe7638e4-76fb-4349-8d81-5eb6679f49d7?utm_source=openai))  \n- If you are using PowerPoint with JAWS in Presenter View, PowerPoint will read aloud the **elapsed time**, using the shortcut **Alt + W**. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/use-a-screen-reader-to-show-your-presentation-with-powerpoint-7d9983fd-753d-474e-8214-c760e0bf75f2?utm_source=openai))  \n- There is no standard setting in PowerPoint that hides or removes that elapsed time display *while still in Presenter View*, nor to stop the screen reader announcing that time (if the user triggers it) without disabling Presenter View entirely.  \n\n---\n\n## Possible Workarounds\n\nHere are some methods you might use as workarounds, depending on your presentation setup and what \u201chiding the timer\u201d means in your context.\n\n| Goal | Workaround | Pros & Limitations |\n|---|---|---|\n| Hide timer visually from both you (presenter screen) and audience | **Don\u2019t use Presenter View** \u2013 present in **Slide Show view only**. Then the timer isn\u2019t shown by default. | \u2705 Timer not visible. <br>\u274c You lose speaker notes, next-slide preview, etc. Also JAWS won\u2019t have access to any elapsed time via the Alt+W shortcut because Presenter View is required for that. |\n| Still use Presenter View but hide timer visually | Not currently supported by PowerPoint. There\u2019s no option like \u201chide timer in Presenter View.\u201d | \u26a0\ufe0f This feature has been requested (forums etc.), but as of now, it doesn\u2019t exist. |\n| Hide screen content but keep timer audio info | Use **screen curtain / screen shade** mode in JAWS. This means your display goes black/blank (audience can\u2019t see anything), while JAWS keeps working. So you could still hear elapsed time or read it, but not visually see it. | \u2705 Good privacy control. <br>\u274c You lose all visual context until you disable the curtain. Also, unless you manually avoid pressing Alt+W (or whichever way you request elapsed time via screen reader), JAWS might still speak it. |\n| Avoid announcing the elapsed time | Just don\u2019t use the Alt+W shortcut or similar. JAWS will only speak elapsed time when asked via those commands. If you don\u2019t trigger it, it won\u2019t announce it. | \u2705 Easy control. <br>\u274c Doesn\u2019t help if you need elapsed time yourself unnoticed or want automatic silencing. |\n\n---\n\n## Recommendation: Best Balance\n\nIf you're wanting to **read the slides at your own pace without showing or hearing the timer unintentionally**, I suggest this setup:\n\n1. **Disable Presenter View**, present normally in Slide Show view.  \n    - This keeps timers and presenter metadata off the screen.\n    - Use reading and navigation via JAWS to move between slides.\n\n2. **Use screen shade / curtain** (JAWS feature) if you want visual screen turned off wholly.  \n    - You can still use the keyboard to move between slides, read content, but nothing shows visually.  \n    - Prevents timer (if it were visible in Presenter View) from being seen.\n\n3. If you *must* see elapsed time for pacing, keep Presenter View on, but avoid using Alt+W or any shortcut that reads the elapsed time when you don\u2019t need it. And if visibility is an issue, use screen shade when you want the screen off.\n\n---\n\nIf you tell me which version of PowerPoint you\u2019re using (e.g. Microsoft 365 / Office 2019 / Windows version) and whether you present with one screen or dual screens, I can check if there\u2019s something specific to your setup that might help suppress the timer entirely."
    }
]