Windows

How to Adjust Volume for Individual Apps in Windows 11 and 10

Take control of your audio experience by fine-tuning volume levels for each application on your Windows PC. This guide walks you through the built-in tools and third-party options for customizing app-specific sound settings.

By Shivamm 3 min read
How to Adjust Volume for Individual Apps in Windows 11 and 10

Managing audio levels for different applications can significantly improve your Windows experience. Whether you want to lower the volume of browser notifications while keeping your music loud, or balance game audio with voice chat, Windows 11 and 10 offer built-in tools to help. Let’s explore how to adjust volume for individual apps and some alternative methods for greater control.

Using the Volume Mixer in Windows 11

Windows 11 has relocated the volume mixer to the Settings app, but it’s still easy to access and use.

Step 1: Open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I or right-clicking the Start button and selecting “Settings”.

Step 2: Click on “System” in the left sidebar, then select “Sound” from the options on the right.

Step 3: Scroll down to find the “Volume mixer” option and click on it.

Step 4: In the Volume mixer, you’ll see a list of all currently active apps under the “Apps” section. Each app has its own volume slider that you can adjust independently.

Step 5: Move the slider left to decrease volume or right to increase it for each individual app. The changes take effect immediately.

Step 6: To mute an app completely, click the speaker icon next to its volume slider.

For quick access to the Volume mixer, you can also right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select “Open volume mixer”.

Adjusting App Volumes in Windows 10

The process is slightly different in Windows 10, but still straightforward.

Step 1: Right-click on the speaker icon in the taskbar.

Step 2: Select “Open Volume mixer” from the menu that appears.

Step 3: The Volume Mixer window will open, showing sliders for your system sounds and each active application.

Step 4: Adjust the sliders for each app to set their individual volumes. You can also mute specific apps by clicking the speaker icon below each slider.

Remember that the Volume Mixer only shows currently running apps that are producing sound. If you don’t see an app listed, make sure it’s open and playing audio.

Using EarTrumpet for Advanced Volume Control

For users who want more granular control over their audio settings, EarTrumpet is a popular third-party application available for both Windows 10 and 11.

Step 1: Download and install EarTrumpet from the Microsoft Store.

Step 2: Once installed, you’ll see a new speaker icon in your system tray.

Step 3: Click on the EarTrumpet icon to open a dropdown menu showing all active audio sources.

Step 4: Adjust the volume for each app by moving its individual slider.

Step 5: Right-click on the EarTrumpet icon to access additional settings, such as keyboard shortcuts and app-specific audio device selection.

EarTrumpet offers a more intuitive interface and additional features compared to the built-in Windows volume mixer, making it a great option for power users.

Restoring the Classic Volume Mixer in Windows 11

If you prefer the older style volume mixer from Windows 10, you can bring it back in Windows 11 with a simple registry edit. However, be cautious when modifying the registry, as incorrect changes can cause system issues.

Step 1: Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type “regedit”, and press Enter.

Step 2: Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\MTCUVC

Step 3: In the right pane, look for a DWORD value named “EnableMtcUvc”. If it doesn’t exist, right-click in the pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it “EnableMtcUvc”.

Step 4: Double-click on “EnableMtcUvc” and set its value to 0.

Step 5: Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer or sign out and back in for the changes to take effect.

After making this change, clicking the speaker icon in the taskbar will bring up the classic volume slider with a “Mixer” link at the bottom, similar to Windows 10.

With these methods, you can easily customize the audio levels for different applications on your Windows PC. Whether you use the built-in tools or opt for third-party solutions like EarTrumpet, you now have the power to create the perfect audio mix for your needs. Remember to periodically check and adjust your settings, especially after Windows updates, to maintain your preferred audio configuration.