Installing Leasey Into JAWS 2027.

Introduction.

JAWS version 2027 is now available. This blog post gives useful information about upgrading to this new version and how to install Leasey into it in the correct way.

Should I Upgrade JAWS to version 2027?

Certainly yes. This version is an improvement over 2026 in some areas and you are strongly advised to upgrade to it. If you have not paid for an upgrade to JAWS 2027 yet, or you do not have a Software Maintenance Agreement, you seriously want to think about this fairly quickly.

Should I Uninstall JAWS Version 2026 or an Earlier Version?

Absolutely not. If the new release of JAWS does not work well with an application you use regularly, or there are difficulties with customising specific settings, you have a version you can go back to. JAWS versions can coexist on the same machine and you may wish to return to an earlier version.
Please do not uninstall the previous version until you are 100 percent satisfied that the new release is doing exactly what you want.
This advice also applies in the workplace; indeed it is even more important there.

How to Install Leasey Into JAWS 2027.

Installing JAWS 2027.

Please work through the following procedure.

If you live in the United States, you are required to create an account to use JAWS version 2027. This was the case with version 2026, so likely as not you already have a Vispero account.
Download and launch the JAWS 2027 application from the Vispero web site. If you are offered this upgrade as part of the automatic JAWS update process, the below instructions equally apply.
Within the initial screen of the JAWS installation procedure, there are two Check boxes. The first, which is immediately in focus, prompts you to accept the License Agreement. There is an opportunity to read this which you may care to do. Assuming you agree with its terms, press the Space Bar to check it.
This next step is critical. Press the Tab key to reach the next Check Box. This offers to migrate your settings from a previous version to the new one. Press the Space Bar to uncheck this box. If Leasey is installed, this merge procedure fails. We will merge settings in a later step.
You can now press Enter to proceed with the installation as usual and restart the computer when prompted. You can then sign in with your account if prompted to do so.

Please work through the following procedure.

Download and install Leasey from the Hartgen Consultancy web site. This must be Leasey build 1172 or above. Please do not install any other Leasey build. The link pointing to the download always states the build number.
You can Download Leasey here.
Launch the program you have just downloaded. 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. JAWS 2027 is the most recent version so that should be the default. If necessary, press the Down Arrow key to select the version of JAWS you wish to use,, then press Enter.
If you are installing Leasey into JAWS 2027, (and if prior versions of JAWS are detected), you will next be asked if you would like to import your existing settings. There are three options in the Combo Box in focus: Do not import, import from JAWS 2026 or import from JAWS 2025. If you do choose to import from JAWS 2026 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.
Next, the installer presents you with a screen containing two options. Press the Up or Down Arrow key to move through the options. These are Full Installation or Custom Installation.
The vast majority of users can just press Enter to bypass this screen. This will install everything Leasey has to offer. This is highly recommended.
Leasey contains many different applications. For various reasons, you may not wish to install all of them. If this is the case, press Down Arrow to select Custom Installation, then press Tab.
A list of applications is then displayed. Each one is unchecked by default, since you have chosen a Custom Installation. Press Down Arrow repeatedly to move through each application in turn. Press Space Bar each time to check the items you want.
When the selection has been made, press Enter to proceed.
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, however progress messages are given using synthetic speech. 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.

What Happens If The Above Advice for Installing JAWS and Leasey Has Been Ignored or If JAWS 2027 Has Already Been Installed?

You may be in a position where someone has installed JAWS for you and did not uncheck the Migrate Settings Check Box. This may also have happened if you were prompted to upgrade your copy of JAWS as a result of automatic updates. In such a situation, running the Leasey installer and choosing to import settings from a previous version of JAWS should resolve most problems. However, the cleanest way of resolving the situation is as follows:

With JAWS 2027 running, press Insert+J to move to the JAWS window.
Select “Options”.
Select “Restore to Factory Settings”.
You are asked if you would like to go ahead. Select “Yes”.
JAWS will restart in its default configuration. You can then run the Leasey installer and proceed with the steps above.

What Happens To All My Leasey Settings Including Text Notes and Leasey Cuts?

All Leasey-related settings are not stored as part of the JAWS program, so upgrading JAWS has no baring on the updating process. All your settings will work in exactly the same way when you install Leasey into JAWS 2027.

Conclusion.

Do enjoy using Leasey with JAWS 2027. We know it is going to be an excellent experience. If you feel you would prefer some assistance with installing Leasey into this new version, remote assistance is available assuming you have Remote Incident Manager installed. If you haven’t got it installed, why not? Everyone should have it. You can download it here.