EarTrumpet for Windows

What EarTrumpet actually does

At its core, EarTrumpet is a mixer. Windows already tracks a separate volume level for every app that plays sound, but it hides that control two or three clicks deep. EarTrumpet surfaces those per-app levels the moment you click the speaker icon, with a slider for each running app that's making noise.

Beyond volume, it lets you move an individual app's audio to a different output device on the fly — for example, sending a video call to a headset while music keeps playing through desktop speakers — without opening Windows Settings at all.

Who benefits from it

• Streamers and podcasters juggling game, chat, and music volumes at once
• Anyone with multiple speakers, headsets, or a docking station with several audio outputs
• People annoyed by one app suddenly blasting louder than everything else
• Users who want a keyboard-accessible, Fluent-styled mixer that matches Windows light/dark theme

How it fits alongside Windows' own tools

Windows 11 has a built-in Volume mixer in Settings > System > Sound > Volume mixer (or Win+Ctrl+V), and Windows 10 has App volume and device preferences in Settings > System > Sound. Both work, but require opening Settings and scrolling. EarTrumpet keeps the same information one click away in the tray and adds device-switching that Windows' own panel doesn't offer as conveniently.

See EarTrumpet vs the Windows volume mixer for a detailed side-by-side if you're deciding whether to install it.

Getting it installed

EarTrumpet is distributed through the Microsoft Store, via Chocolatey (choco install eartrumpet), and as a direct download from GitHub Releases. Full instructions, including which method suits which kind of user, are on the EarTrumpet download page.

Once installed, a short one-time setup — pinning the tray icon, checking your default devices, and optionally setting a hotkey — gets you the smoothest experience. That's covered on the EarTrumpet setup page.

Platform notes: Windows 10 vs Windows 11

EarTrumpet runs on recent builds of both Windows 10 and Windows 11 and behaves almost identically on each, since it relies on the same underlying Windows audio APIs rather than OS-specific tricks. There are small visual differences because it mirrors your system theme, and Windows 11's own native volume mixer looks and behaves a bit differently from Windows 10's.

For platform-specific detail see EarTrumpet on Windows 10 and EarTrumpet on Windows 11, or the general EarTrumpet for Windows overview.

Open source and actively maintained

EarTrumpet's source code is public on GitHub under File-New-Project, which means anyone can inspect exactly what it does, report issues, or contribute. That openness is part of why it has remained a trusted, no-cost utility rather than a paid add-on.

If something isn't working as expected, start with EarTrumpet troubleshooting before assuming it's broken — most issues trace back to a stuck audio session or an outdated Windows build.

Searching for ear trumpet can also lead to the historical hearing horn, so that page explains the difference between the app and the antique device.

Frequently asked questions

Is EarTrumpet free?

Yes. EarTrumpet is free and open source, distributed through the Microsoft Store, Chocolatey, and GitHub Releases.

Does EarTrumpet replace the Windows volume mixer?

It runs alongside Windows' built-in mixer and Sound settings rather than removing them; you can still access the legacy sndvol.exe mixer and Windows' own per-app volume screen at any time.

Does EarTrumpet need drivers?

No. It uses standard Windows audio APIs, so there's nothing low-level to install and no reboot required.

Is EarTrumpet made by Microsoft?

No, it's an independent open-source project by File-New-Project, distributed on the Microsoft Store among other channels.

Will EarTrumpet work on my version of Windows?

It requires a recent Windows 10 or Windows 11 build. See the Windows 10 and Windows 11 specific pages for details.