How to Hide or Show Unplugged Sound Devices in Settings on Windows 11
Hiding or showing unplugged sound devices in Windows 11 lets you clean up your audio list so you only see speakers, microphones, and headphones that are actually connected to your PC. Starting with Windows 11 build 26340.9354 (Experimental 26H2) for Insiders, Microsoft adds simple toggles to the All sound devices page in the Settings app.
You can turn off disconnected gear with a quick click to stop your audio menu from getting cluttered with old headsets and broken speakers. This feature keeps your sound settings neat and helps you pick the right working device fast.
Open Settings System Sound All sound devices Show devices for flow on this page, then turn off Show unplugged audio devices on this page to hide them. This removes disconnected speakers and microphones from your Windows 11 sound list, keeping your menu clean and easy to read.
Option One
Hide or Show Unplugged Sound Devices in Settings
- Open Settings by pressing the Win+I keys on your keyboard.
- Click or tap on System on the left side, and then click or tap on Sound on the right side.
To hide or show unplugged sound devices in Settings on Windows 11, open the Settings app by pressing the Windows and I keys together, go to system sound settings, open the all sound devices menu, and change the device display options. This built-in menu lets you clean up your audio list so you only see speakers and headphones that are actually plugged into your computer and ready to use right now.
- Under Advanced, click or tap on All sound devices.
Open “All sound devices” Settings
- Under System defaults, click or tap on Show devices for flow on this page to open it up.
- Turn on (show – default) or turn off (hide) Show unplugged audio devices on this page depending on your preference.
When you turn on Show unplugged audio devices on this page, any unplugged audio devices appear grayed out at the bottom of the page.
- You can now close the Settings app if you wish.
Option Two
Hide or Show Unplugged Sound Devices in Settings using Registry
To hide or show unplugged sound devices in Settings using the Registry, open the Registry Editor and go to the 🗝️HKEY_CURRENT_USER\
Show Unplugged Sound Devices in Settings
This is the default setting.
Set the value data for "ShowDisconnectedDevices" to 1.
Hide Unplugged Sound Devices in Settings
Set the value data for "ShowDisconnectedDevices" to 0.
Summary
This guide showed you how to control the visibility of unplugged sound devices on Windows 11. Switch between showing and hiding these disconnected audio items using either the Settings app or the Windows Registry Editor.
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Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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