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Windows eye control lets you use a supported eye tracker to move and click the pointer, type with an on-screen keyboard, and speak typed text. It is an accessibility feature, not a setting that turns any ordinary webcam into an eye tracker. Check the exact tracker and software compatibility before buying hardware.
What can Windows eye control do?
| Task | How it works |
|---|---|
| Move and click the mouse pointer | Look at controls on the launchpad and use gaze-based selection |
| Type | Select characters on the eye-control keyboard |
| Communicate with text-to-speech | Enter a message and have the computer read it aloud |
| Pause eye control | Use the pause control when you want to rest or look around |
These are three main uses—pointer control, typing, and text-to-speech—plus controls for managing the experience. It does not mean every Windows screen or application will work equally well without another input method.
What hardware do you need?
You need an eye tracker supported by Windows eye control, the correct driver or vendor software, and a suitable screen setup. Microsoft lists specific Tobii, Tobii Dynavox, and EyeTech devices; compatibility is model-specific. A newer tracker with a similar brand name is not automatically a replacement for a listed model.
Check Microsoft’s eye-control setup guidance and the tracker’s vendor documentation before purchasing. A normal USB webcam or a monitor without a supported tracker is not enough by itself.
Set up and calibrate the eye tracker
- Mount the tracker as its manufacturer directs and connect it to the PC.
- Install the correct software for that exact model from its manufacturer.
- Run the vendor’s calibration while sitting in your usual position.
- Test tracking with the glasses, lighting, and screen position you normally use.
- Keep a mouse, keyboard, or helper available during setup.
Calibration teaches the system how your gaze lines up with the screen. Recalibrate after a substantial change in seating, screen position, or eyewear if tracking becomes inaccurate.
Turn on eye control in Windows 11 or Windows 10
- Windows 11: open Settings > Accessibility > Eye control, then turn it on.
- Windows 10: open Settings > Ease of Access > Eye control, then turn it on.
Microsoft’s eye-control basics explain the launchpad controls. The launchpad should appear when the tracker and software are ready. Select an action, look at its target, and hold your gaze for the required dwell time. Start slowly and adjust the available settings to a comfortable pace.
If eye control is unavailable or hard to use
Use Microsoft’s eye-control troubleshooting guide to check the USB connection, exact hardware support, vendor software, and calibration first. Reduce glare and make sure the tracker can see your eyes. Do not assume that changing the Windows region will fix a hardware-compatibility problem.
Microsoft notes that the eye-control keyboard supports the EN-US layout, with some settings available only in English. That differs from ordinary Windows keyboard-language choices; our Windows keyboard settings guide covers those controls.
Is eye control the same as voice control?
No. Eye control uses gaze; voice input uses speech and a microphone. They can suit different needs, and a voice feature in one app does not control the whole PC. For example, ChatGPT Voice is for spoken conversations inside ChatGPT. Choose the input method that fits the task and your own comfort.