[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "how%20to%20turn%20off%20sharky%20in%20JAWS"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "If by \"Sharky\" you mean the voice assistant feature in the JAWS screen reader, here's how to turn it off or limit its activations.\n\n---\n\nTo disable \"Sharky\" (Voice Assistant / Wake Word) in JAWS:\n\n1. Open the JAWS Settings Center:  \n   Press INSERT + F2. Then select **Settings Center**. ([blog.freedomscientific.com](https://blog.freedomscientific.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/FSCast189Transcript-September-2020.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n2. Make sure you\u2019re working in the Default settings file (so the change applies across all apps):  \n   In Settings Center, press CTRL + SHIFT + D to load the default settings. ([blog.freedomscientific.com](https://blog.freedomscientific.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/FSCast189Transcript-September-2020.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n3. Search for the \u2018Voice Assistant\u2019 node:  \n   Type *Voice Assistant* in the \"Search\" field and then navigate to **Voice Assistant \u2192 Settings**. ([nelowvision.com](https://nelowvision.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Software-Updates-JAWS-2021.pdf?utm_source=openai))\n\n4. In the Voice Assistant settings you have options like:\n\n   \u2022 *Enable Voice Assistant* \u2013 turns the assistant entirely on or off. If you uncheck this, Sharky will be disabled. ([blog.freedomscientific.com](https://blog.freedomscientific.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/FSCast189Transcript-September-2020.html?utm_source=openai))  \n   \n   \u2022 *Listen for Wake Word Sharky* \u2013 if you leave Voice Assistant enabled, you can disable the wake word so \u201cHey Sharky\u201d won\u2019t activate it. You\u2019ll then need to use a keyboard shortcut instead. ([blog.freedomscientific.com](https://blog.freedomscientific.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/FSCast189Transcript-September-2020.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n5. Also: there is a shortcut to quickly toggle the wake word on or off: double press INSERT + ALT + SPACEBAR. ([nelowvision.com](https://nelowvision.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Software-Updates-JAWS-2021.pdf?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\nIf instead you're talking about a different \u201cSharky\u201d (maybe in a game, plugin, or another software), let me know which exact one \u2014 I\u2019ll get you instructions for that too."
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "using%20jaws%2026%2C%20none%20of%20those%20suggestions%20work.%20What%20now%20bright%20one%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "If you're using JAWS 26 and none of the usual methods (via Settings Center or Utilities \u2192 Voice Assistant) seem to disable Sharky, it might be due to changes in what options are exposed in this version. Here are some possibilities and next steps based on available documentation and user reports.\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udd0d What I found\n\n- Freedom Scientific emphasizes that Voice Assistant (Sharky) should be configurable under **Utilities \u2192 Voice Assistant \u2192 Settings**, where options like *Enable Voice Assistant* and *Listen for Wake Word \u201cSharky\u201d* can be toggled. ([nelowvision.com](https://nelowvision.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Software-Updates-JAWS-2021.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n- A transcript (from 2020) lists how to turn off the voice assistant completely, or turn off listening for the wake word. ([blog.freedomscientific.com](https://blog.freedomscientific.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/FSCast189Transcript-September-2020.html?utm_source=openai))\n- Important note: users have stated that in later updates, some options have been removed or disabled in certain contexts (for example, when using a Bluetooth headset microphone). The wake-word listening capability may be grayed out or unavailable under those conditions. ([blog.freedomscientific.com](https://blog.freedomscientific.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/FSCast189Transcript-September-2020.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n### \u26a0\ufe0f What\u2019s probably going on in JAWS 26\n\n1. **Disabled or hidden options:** If your mic is set up in a certain way (like via Bluetooth), Freedom Scientific may have auto-disabled \u201cListen for Wake Word\u201d. This makes the UI show the setting but without the ability to toggle it. ([blog.freedomscientific.com](https://blog.freedomscientific.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/FSCast189Transcript-September-2020.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n2. **Feature removed or altered in this version:** Some reports suggest that \u201cEnable Voice Assistant\u201d may have been removed or its behavior changed in newer versions (depending on how JAWS is installed or configured). ([jfw.groups.io](https://jfw.groups.io/g/main/topic/fs_voice_assist_has_access_to/92377017?utm_source=openai))\n\n3. **Installation / setup choices matter:** If JAWS was installed with particular flags or external services disabled, some voice assistant features might be unavailable. ([support.freedomscientific.com](https://support.freedomscientific.com/downloads/jaws/PreviousFeatures?version=2021&utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udee0\ufe0f What you can try\n\nSince the usual toggles aren\u2019t working for you in JAWS 26, try these steps:\n\n#### A. Check if \u201cEnable Voice Assistant\u201d is visible and can be unchecked\n\n- Press **JAWS Key + F2** (or INSERT + F2 depending on your configuration) to open the **Settings Center**.\n- Press **CTRL + SHIFT + D** to ensure you\u2019re viewing the *Default Settings File*.\n- Search for \u201cVoice Assistant\u201d or \u201cWake Word\u201d.\n- See if *Enable Voice Assistant* or *Listen for Wake Word [Sharky]* appear and whether they can be toggled.  \n  If *Enable Voice Assistant* is gone or greyed out, it may have been disabled centrally or removed.\n\n#### B. Utilities menu method\n\n- Press **INSERT + J** to open the JAWS context menu.\n- Go to **Utilities \u2192 Voice Assistant \u2192 Settings**.  \n  If *Settings* isn\u2019t there, or doesn\u2019t include the toggles, this might indicate the feature is restricted in your build or by policy.\n\n#### C. Advanced approach (for admins or power-users)\n\n- **Check installer flags:** If JAWS was installed with something like the `DisableExternalServices` flag, it could prevent disabling the Voice Assistant. Some admin documents mention this flag to disable external voice services. ([support.freedomscientific.com](https://support.freedomscientific.com/downloads/jaws/PreviousFeatures?version=2021&utm_source=openai))  \n- **Contact Freedom Scientific support:** Ask whether this setting is controlled by policy or if something in your configuration is preventing you from disabling it.\n\n---\n\nIf you like, I can try digging up the specific policy or version-release notes for **JAWS 26** to confirm if they changed this behavior. Do you want me to check that for your specific OS (Windows version, etc.)?"
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "that%20worked"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Glad to hear it worked! If you need help with anything else \u2014 like customizing JAWS, figuring out key commands, or anything accessibility-related \u2014 just let me know."
    }
]