Windows Audio Settings Overview
Windows audio settings cover more ground than volume alone: they manage which devices are connected, how sound is formatted, and how to diagnose problems. This page gives a top-level map before drilling into specific tasks.
Use it as a starting point if you're not sure which narrower guide on this site answers your question.
Device settings
Choosing a default playback or recording device, renaming devices, and disabling ones you don't use all live under Settings > System > Sound, in the device list section.
Volume settings
Master and per-app volume levels are covered on the dedicated Windows volume settings page, including how the two interact.
Format and quality settings
- Sample rate and bit depth, set per device under Device properties
- Spatial sound format, for headsets and soundbars that support it
- Exclusive mode, letting one app take full control of a device
Input (microphone) settings
Below output device selection, Sound settings lists microphone options with an input level meter, a test button, and an input volume slider. Windows also offers noise suppression and automatic gain options for some devices under the microphone's own Properties dialog, separate from playback settings covered on Windows volume control.
Where per-app controls fit into the bigger picture
Per-app volume and device routing, covered in depth on the Windows app volume mixer page, is really a subsection of the broader audio settings map: it only affects playback level and device choice, not formats, input devices, or troubleshooting tools described elsewhere on this page.
Troubleshooting tools
Sound settings includes built-in troubleshooters for playback and recording problems, alongside the option to reinstall or update audio drivers through Device Manager. See the troubleshooting hub for issues specific to EarTrumpet.
Version differences
Windows 11 reorganized several of these settings into a more visual layout with expandable per-app device controls, while Windows 10 keeps closer to a classic Control Panel structure. Compare Windows 11 audio settings and Windows 10 audio settings for specifics.
A quick checklist for common audio settings tasks
- Changing your default speaker or microphone: device list in Sound settings
- Adjusting one app's volume: app volume mixer
- Fixing a driver issue: Device Manager or the built-in troubleshooter
- Understanding every available control surface: Windows audio control
- Comparing classic and modern mixers: Windows sound mixer
Frequently asked questions
Do audio settings sync across devices with a Microsoft account?
No, audio device and volume settings are local to each PC and are not synced through a Microsoft account.
How do I reset all audio settings to default?
There's no single reset switch; you generally need to manually restore default devices, volumes, and formats, or run the built-in audio troubleshooter.
Where do I find microphone volume settings?
Under Settings > System > Sound, in the input device section, which includes its own volume slider and test option separate from playback volume.
Do audio settings differ between a desktop and a laptop?
The settings pages are the same, but laptops add options like automatic muting when headphones are plugged in, depending on the manufacturer's audio drivers.