18

I'm looking for a Windows 7 tray app to easily switch between audio sources, i.e. speakers, HDMI, USB headset etc.

Any suggestions?

3
  • What kind of audio sources? What is it supposed to do?
    – Ivo Flipse
    Feb 9, 2010 at 13:53
  • Isn't it a default feature?
    – fluxtendu
    Feb 9, 2010 at 16:03
  • This one works for me. One click to change it. It uses a bat file! so actually you can do ANYTHING in one click. sourceforge.net/projects/soundgadget Jun 2, 2016 at 20:11

7 Answers 7

6

Did you want to switch sources our outputs?

For switching outputs, try this:

  • Right click on the speaker icon in the tray.
  • Choose "playback devices".
  • Select from the list of playback devices (speakers, hdmi, usb headset,) (the device you want)
  • Choose "Set Default"
  • Your audio output will instantly switch.

If you need to switch inputs:

  • Open volume mixer
  • Mute or lower the level on the sources you don't want.

If you do this a lot, and are looking for an app to save you those two extra clicks, this blog post shows three products that quickly switch audio outputs for Vista and XP.

If you find that one of those three apps works well on Windows 7 please let us know.

3
  • 5
    Too slow, but thanks I wrote my own program that can do it in less clicks...
    – JL.
    Feb 9, 2010 at 19:44
  • 1
    What API did you use? AutoHotKey or something? I'm also now looking for a way to do it faster, but the IMMDeviceEnumerator::GetDefaultAudioEndpoint doesn't have a corresponding SetDefaultAudioEnpoint, and the documentation explicitly says that the user can only set the default through the OS, implying that a shortcut app wouldn't be able to do this at all. (unless you automate OS keys and clicks like AutoHotkey or something.)
    – DanO
    Feb 10, 2010 at 23:11
  • @JL, Care to share the code ? Jul 6, 2014 at 0:36
7

Here's a freeware app that will do it: Vista Audio Changer

Vista Audio Changer is a system tray application that can change the default sound output device in Windows Vista at the click of a mouse.

enter image description here

1
  • 3
    The System.Byte[] stuff doesn't add any credibility; however, hopefuly they've fixed this since 2011 :-) Jul 6, 2014 at 12:00
3

You are looking for Coastal Audio Changer.

http://coastalaudiochanger.wordpress.com

2

http://www.sevenforums.com/customization/65079-anyway-use-hotkeys-switch-sound-output.html#post581797

is another option where ALT + 1 (or whatever position the output is on the control panel dialog list is) will switch audio outputs. Just place in the windows startup folder...

2

For Windows 7, AudioSwitch provides an elegant simple solution. The interface is similar to the improved audio switching capability introduced in Windows 10.

enter image description here

https://github.com/sirWest/AudioSwitch

1

If you find yourself in need of doing this on a Mac, just press ALT and then click the volume control at the top of the screen. A menu with different I/O options will appear. You never know...

0

For those who already have NirCmd free swiss army knife installed, there’s an easy way to do an audio switcher. Just create a shortcut to NirCmd.exe and then edit Target (command line) to this:

"C:\Program Files\NirCmd\nircmd.exe" setdefaultsounddevice "playback device name"

Create other shortcuts for other sound devices you want to switch to, and add them to Start Menu. Clicking on these shortcuts will switch to corresponding sound device.

This is what Sound Gadget uses internally to do actual switching.

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .