How to Control App Volume on Windows 10

Open App volume and device preferences

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar.
2. Choose 'Open Volume mixer' or go to Settings > System > Sound.
3. Scroll down and click 'App volume and device preferences'.
4. Adjust the slider for any listed app independently of the master volume.

Change an app's input or output device

1. In the same 'App volume and device preferences' page, find the app.
2. Use the 'Output' dropdown next to it to pick a different playback device.
3. Use the 'Input' dropdown if the app also records audio, to pick a different microphone.

Use the legacy mixer as a backup

1. Press Win+R, type sndvol, and press Enter.
2. The classic mixer opens with a slider per app, similar to older Windows versions.
3. This works even if the modern Settings-based mixer is misbehaving.

Adding a flyout-based option

Windows 10 doesn't include a tray flyout with per-app sliders by default. Installing EarTrumpet on Windows 10 adds one, so you don't need to open Settings each time.

What you need

This works with any current Windows 10 build; no installation is required for the Settings-based method. If you want a flyout shortcut instead, install EarTrumpet from the Windows 10 EarTrumpet page first.

Alternative: reach the mixer from Control Panel

Press Win+R and run mmsys.cpl to open the classic Sound control panel, then use the Playback tab as another route to device-level settings alongside the app-specific ones in 'App volume and device preferences'.

If app volume control isn't working on Windows 10

If an app is missing from the list, play a sound from it first, since Windows 10 only lists apps with a recent audio session. For a focused fix-it sequence when a slider is stuck or grayed out, see how to fix app volume that won't change, and for the fuller picture of muting and device routing together, see how to manage app audio on Windows.

Frequently asked questions

Does Windows 10 have a Win+Ctrl+V shortcut like Windows 11?

No, that shortcut was introduced with the Windows 11 mixer redesign; Windows 10 requires navigating through Settings or using sndvol.

Where exactly is 'App volume and device preferences' located?

It's under Settings > System > Sound, below the main output and input device selectors.

Can I set a different microphone per app on Windows 10?

Yes, the same 'App volume and device preferences' page lets you choose a specific input device per app, not just output.

Can I upgrade to get the Windows 11 mixer without a full OS upgrade?

No, the redesigned mixer and Win+Ctrl+V shortcut are tied to Windows 11 itself; Windows 10 doesn't support installing that UI separately.

Does 'App volume and device preferences' affect microphone input too?

Yes, the same page includes an input-device dropdown per app for apps that record audio, not just output.

Is sndvol reliable as a full-time replacement for the Settings page?

It covers volume and mute per app but not per-app device routing, so it's best used as a backup rather than a full replacement.