Microsoft is testing the new and modern-looking Windows 11 Volume Mixer, which is accessible via the taskbar quick settings panel and allows you to adjust the volume for each app and switch between audio devices. This new feature was announced earlier this week and is now available to Dev Channel Insiders running Windows 11 Insider Preview build 25309.
Managing multiple audio devices is often made difficult by Windows. Microsoft has tried to improve the experience in many ways over the years. For example, in 2021, the company simplified how Bluetooth devices are classified in Windows 10. Despite these efforts, it often appears that the OS is not able to switch smoothly between audio outputs and manage sound levels. For example, I’d like Windows 11 Mixer Quick Settings panel to allow me to adjust audio levels for each app.
Microsoft is getting ready to fix this minor annoyance for Windows users. This week, Microsoft released the new Windows 11 Insider Preview, which includes a redesigned Quick Settings volume mixer. In addition to allowing you to switch between audio devices, updated interface elements allow you to enable spatial sound and adjust volume output on an app-by-app basis as the current design allows. Furthermore, Microsoft has added a special shortcut to make it easier to access the feature.
To access the volume mixer, press the Windows, Ctrl, and V keys on your keyboard at the same time. With this change, you can now fine-tune your audio experience with more control and fewer clicks, to better organize your favorite apps, says Microsoft about the redesigned interface. According to Bleeping Computer, the new volume mixer is similar to the popular EarTrumpet mode. There’s no word on when Microsoft plans to make the latest Windows Insider features available to general users, but we don’t expect it to take long.
