Most PC users use either a headphone or PC’s built-in speaker as the default audio output device. But then there are PC users like gamers who would like to use different audio output devices for different applications.
There are many users who prefer to set different audio output devices for different programs. For instance, one might want to set 5.1 surround setup for VLC Media Player (to watch movies), and headphone as default audio device for applications like Groove Music (to listen to music).
Up until now, there was not an easy way to set different audio output devices for different applications. But you can now set different audio devices for different applications in Windows 10 without the help of third-party applications. Additionally, you can also set different sound levels for different applications.
The option to set different audio devices for different applications has been introduced with Windows 10 Redstone 4. So, you must be running April 2018 Update for Windows 10 (version 1803) or later to be able to use this new feature.
Following are the step-by-step directions to set different audio output devices for different applications and games in Windows 10.
Set different audio devices for different applications in Windows 10
Step 1: Navigate to Settings app > System > Sound.
Step 2: In the Other sound options section, click App volume and device preferences option. Clicking the option opens App volume and device preferences page.
Step 3: As you can see in the picture below, the page displays all currently running apps and games on the left side. If the program or app for which you want to set default audio output device if not showing up, make sure that the app or program is running. If it’s already running, restart it.
If there are multiple tabs playing audio in a web browser, all tabs will show as separate entries.
Step 4: To set a default audio output device for an application, click the select an audio device from the Output drop-down next to the application entry.
You can also set different volume levels for different applications from this page. Simply move the slider next to an app entry to set the default volume level for that app.
Of course, you can also set different input devices for different applications.
You might also like to read our how to use both speaker and headphone at the same time in Windows 10.
