How To Change Default Audio Devices Per Application In Windows 11

Understanding Audio Basics in 🪟 Windows 11

Windows 11 splits your computer sound gear into two main categories to help you manage your hardware easily. Output devices include built-in laptop speakers, monitors with sound, plugged-in headphones, and Bluetooth 🔷 headsets that make noise for you to hear. Input devices include microphones and headsets that pick up your voice for calls and recordings so other people can hear you clearly.

• Output Devices: These are the items that make sound for you to hear. Examples include built-in laptop speakers, desktop monitors with speakers, plugged-in headphones, and Bluetooth 🔷 headsets.
• Input Devices: These are the items that pick up your voice or other sounds. Examples include built-in laptop microphones, headset microphones, and standalone USB microphones.

By default, Windows uses a single main output device and a single main input device for everything you do. When you change the main sound setting, every app you run will try to use that same piece of hardware. However, the Windows 11 Volume Mixer feature lets you break away from the main setting and tell individual apps exactly where to send their sound.

Method 1Change the Main Sound Device Using the Quick Settings Panel

The Quick Settings panel is the fastest way to change your main sound device in Windows 11 without opening deep menus. You simply click the speaker icon next to the clock in the bottom right corner of your taskbar 🖥️, open the output device list, and pick the speakers or headphones you want to use right now.

1. Look at the bottom right corner of your screen at the taskbar 🖥️. Find the small speaker icon next to the clock.
2. Click directly on the speaker icon. A small panel will pop up with your Wi-Fi 📶, volume, and battery options.
3. Look right next to the volume slider and click the small icon that looks like a speaker with an arrow next to it. This is the Manage audio devices button.
4. You will see a list of all connected speakers and headphones. Click on the device you want to use right now. Your computer will instantly start playing all general sound through that choice.

Method 2Set the Default Sound Device via 🪟 Windows 11 Settings

The main Windows Settings ⚙️ app gives you precise control for setting a permanent default sound device that overrides everything else on your computer. You open the start menu ⊞, open settings, go to system, and choose sound to pick your preferred speakers or microphone so Windows always uses them first.

1. Click the Start button on your taskbar and type settings, then press Enter. You can also press the Windows Key plus the letter I on your keyboard.

   

2. In the Settings window, click on System on the left side.
3. Click on Sound in the main panel on the right.
4. Under the section labeled Output, look for the words Choose where to play sound.
5. Click on the name of the speaker or headset you want to use as your main device.
6. To change your microphone, scroll down to the Input section and click on your preferred microphone under Choose a device for speaking or recording.

Method 3Configure Using the Legacy Sound Control Panel

The legacy Sound Control Panel in Windows 11 shows every single piece of audio hardware connected to your computer, including disabled or disconnected items. You open this older control panel by typing mmsys.cpl in the start menu and pressing enter, which lets you manage playback and recording tabs directly.

1. Click the Start button, type mmsys.cpl, and press Enter to open the Sound settings window directly.
2. You will see a small window with several tabs. Make sure you are on the Playback tab to see your speakers and headphones.
3. Right-click on the device you want to use as your primary sound maker.
4. Click on Set as Default Device from the menu that appears.
5. If you want that device to handle your communication apps like phone calls or video meetings, right-click it again and choose Set as Default Communication Device.
6. Click the OK button at the bottom to save your changes and close the window.

Method 4How to Change Default Audio Devices Per Application in 🪟 Windows 11

Windows 11 lets you change default audio devices per application so you can send sound from one app to your speakers and another app to your headphones. You open the Volume Mixer by right-clicking the taskbar speaker icon while your apps are running, then choose separate output and input devices for each individual program.

1. Open the app or game whose sound you want to change. Make sure it is currently running or playing sound so Windows can see it.
2. Right-click the speaker icon on the bottom right of your taskbar and select Open Volume Mixer.
3. In the Volume Mixer window, look for the section labeled Apps. You will see a list of every open program that is currently making or ready to make sound.

   

4. Next to each app name, you will see a dropdown menu showing its current output device.
5. Click the dropdown menu next to the app you want to change, and select the specific speaker, headset, or virtual audio cable you want that app to use.
6. Your changes happen immediately. You do not need to restart the app. For example, if you set your web browser to use your monitor speakers and your video game to use your gaming headset, Windows will remember this preference as long as those devices stay plugged into your computer.

Method 5Configure Audio in Popular Apps Like Zoom and Microsoft Teams

Popular communication apps like Zoom and Microsoft Teams have their own internal sound settings that can override what you set in Windows. If people cannot hear you or you cannot hear them during a meeting, you must open the audio settings menu inside that specific app to select the correct microphone and speaker.

1. Open your communication app, such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
2. Go to the settings menu inside that app (usually represented by a gear icon).
3. Look for the Audio or Devices tab.
4. Manually select your preferred speaker and microphone from the dropdown lists provided inside the app. Do not rely entirely on the Match computer setting if you are having trouble.

Method 6Leverage PowerShell to Automatically Set the Default Output Device

PowerShell lets advanced users automatically change their default audio device in Windows 11 without clicking through menus. This command-line method relies on community-made audio modules to help you create shortcuts that switch your sound output with a quick double-click.

Changing default audio devices per application in Windows 11 requires PowerShell, which is the built-in command-line interface included in your operating system. Because Windows 11 lacks a built-in switch for app-specific audio routing, you must install community-made audio modules like AudioDeviceCmdlets to control your sound settings. Using these community tools allows you to assign specific games, browsers, and media players to different speakers or headphones automatically.

1. Click the Start button, type powershell, right-click on Windows PowerShell, and select Run as administrator. (Administrative privileges required)
2. Type the command to install the audio module if you do not have it yet, or use built-in Windows cmdlets if available on your system build.
3. To list your available audio devices, run the command to view your playback hardware names.
4. Run the command to set your active playback device by typing the exact name of your speaker or headset in quotes.

Summary

Managing and changing default audio devices in Windows 11 is simple once you know how to use system-wide tools and application settings together. You can switch sound using the Quick Settings panel, the main Settings app, the classic Control Panel, the Volume Mixer, or individual app menus to get your speakers and headphones working right.