EarTrumpet on Windows 10

What EarTrumpet replaces

• The tray speaker flyout, replaced by a Fluent UI popup with per-app sliders
• Settings > System > Sound > App volume and device preferences, for quicker access without opening Settings
• sndvol.exe, though the legacy mixer remains reachable from EarTrumpet's right-click menu

Installing on Windows 10

EarTrumpet can be installed from the Microsoft Store, via Chocolatey (choco install eartrumpet), or from a release on GitHub. No drivers are required since it uses standard Windows audio APIs.

Using the flyout

Click the EarTrumpet icon in the tray to see a master volume slider at the top and a per-app slider for each app currently producing sound below it. Each app row also has a small icon to change its output device without leaving the popup, doing in one click what otherwise takes two menus in App volume and device preferences.

Right-click shortcuts

Right-clicking the EarTrumpet tray icon exposes shortcuts to the classic Volume mixer, Playback devices, and Sound settings, so the built-in tools are still one click away when needed.

Moving apps between devices quickly

Because device switching sits directly next to each app's slider in the flyout, moving a call from speakers to a headset, or a game from a headset back to desktop speakers, doesn't require opening Sound settings at all — the whole action happens in the tray popup.

Theme and behavior

EarTrumpet follows the Windows 10 light or dark theme automatically and can be set to start with Windows from its right-click menu, so it's ready in the tray immediately after sign-in.

Following up with a full setup guide

For install-method comparisons and post-install configuration on Windows 10 specifically, see eartrumpet-windows-10-guide.

A few practical notes

Because EarTrumpet keeps the same underlying Windows audio session model as the built-in tools, nothing about switching to it is destructive — uninstalling it at any point simply returns you to the standard taskbar flyout and Settings panel with no leftover per-app configuration to undo.

Frequently asked questions

Does EarTrumpet work on Windows 10?

Yes, it runs on recent Windows 10 builds using standard Windows audio APIs with no drivers required.

Does EarTrumpet remove the built-in Windows 10 mixer?

No, sndvol.exe and Settings' App volume and device preferences remain available and are linked from EarTrumpet's right-click menu.

How do I install EarTrumpet on Windows 10?

Via the Microsoft Store, Chocolatey with choco install eartrumpet, or a release download from GitHub.

Can I switch an app's output device from EarTrumpet's popup?

Yes, each app row includes a device-switching option directly in the flyout.

Does EarTrumpet match Windows 10's light or dark theme?

Yes, it automatically follows whichever theme is set in Windows.

Can EarTrumpet launch automatically at sign-in?

Yes, this can be enabled from its right-click tray menu.