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My Development Environment on Windows using a Screen Reader

A look at my Windows and WSL2 (Ubuntu) development setup, built around VS Code and the NVDA screen reader.

As a developer who relies on a screen reader, setting up an efficient and accessible development environment is crucial. I use a Windows machine but run most of my development tasks on WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) using the latest Ubuntu version 24.04. My work spans various programming languages including Node.js, Python, Golang, C++, PHP, TypeScript, HTML, and CSS. In this blog post, I’ll provide a high-level overview of my setup, share the prerequisites, and guide you through the installation process. This environment is flexible and can handle most development tasks, but it’s not the only solution. Embracing diverse tools and techniques is essential in software development.

High-Level Overview

Here’s a brief outline of my development environment setup:

  • Operating System: Windows with WSL2 (Ubuntu 24.04)
  • Programming Languages: Node.js, Python, Golang, C++, PHP, TypeScript, HTML, CSS
  • IDE: Visual Studio Code (VS Code) with the VS Code server running on WSL Ubuntu and the client on Windows
  • Screen Reader: NVDA
  • Terminal: Integrated terminal in VS Code, running Bash

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the setup process, ensure you have the following:

  1. Windows 10 or 11: Make sure your operating system is up to date.
  2. WSL2: Windows Subsystem for Linux version 2.
  3. Ubuntu 24.04: The latest version of Ubuntu for WSL.
  4. Visual Studio Code: The latest version installed on your Windows machine.
  5. NVDA Screen Reader: Installed and configured for accessibility.

Setup Guide

Step 1: Install WSL2 and Ubuntu

  1. Enable WSL2:

    • Open PowerShell as an administrator and run: 
      wsl --install
    • Restart your computer if prompted.

  2. Install Ubuntu 24.04:

    • Open the Microsoft Store, search for Ubuntu, and select the latest version (24.04).
    • Install and set up your Ubuntu instance.

Step 2: Install Visual Studio Code

  1. Download and Install VS Code:

    • Visit the Visual Studio Code website and download the latest version for Windows.
    • Install VS Code following the on-screen instructions.

  2. Install the WSL Extension:

    • Open VS Code and go to the Extensions view by clicking the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the side of the window.
    • Search for “Remote - WSL” and install the extension.

Step 3: Configure NVDA Screen Reader

  1. Install NVDA:

  2. Configure NVDA for Development:

    • Open NVDA and press the NVDA modifier key + n to open the NVDA menu.
    • Go to Preferences -> Settings and make the necessary adjustments for your coding needs. Refer to my previous post on NVDA settings for coding for the detailed settings.

Step 4: Set Up Your Development Environment

  1. Open a WSL Terminal in VS Code:

    • Open VS Code, press Ctrl + ` (backtick) to open the integrated terminal.
    • Select Bash from the terminal dropdown.

  2. Install Programming Languages and Tools:

    • Use the terminal to install the necessary programming languages and tools. For example, to install Node.js and npm: 
      sudo apt update
sudo apt install nodejs npm
    • Repeat similar steps for Python, Golang, C++, PHP, and other tools you need.

  3. Configure VS Code Extensions:

    • Install extensions for each programming language you use. For example, search for “Python” to install the Python extension, “Go” for Golang, and so on.

Conclusion

Setting up a development environment on Windows using WSL2 and Ubuntu with a screen reader like NVDA can significantly enhance your productivity and accessibility. This setup provides a robust platform for various programming tasks, but it’s important to remain adaptable and explore other tools and techniques. Happy coding!

For more resources and tutorials on accessible programming, check out my YouTube channel.