Windows 10 Audio Settings Explained
All of Windows 10's built-in audio configuration lives in one place: Settings > System > Sound. From there you choose output and input devices, set the master volume, manage per-app sound, and reach older Control Panel dialogs for advanced device properties.
This walkthrough covers every section of that page so you know exactly where to look for a given setting.
Opening the Sound settings page
- Press Win+I to open Settings
- Click System
- Select Sound from the left-hand list
Output section
At the top, a dropdown lists all connected playback devices; whichever is selected becomes the system default. A master volume slider sits directly below it, along with a "Device properties" link for sample rate, spatial sound, and exclusive-mode options.
Input section
Below Output is the same pattern for microphones: a device dropdown, an input volume meter, and a link to microphone properties for gain and enhancement settings such as noise suppression.
App volume and device preferences
Scrolling further down under "Advanced sound options" reveals the per-app panel covered in windows-10-app-volume-control, where each app gets its own volume slider and device dropdown. This is the same list of controls described on windows-10-per-app-volume.
Related Control Panel and legacy tools
The Sound settings page links out to "Sound Control Panel" for the classic tabbed dialog (Playback, Recording, Sounds, Communications) and to "Troubleshoot" for the built-in audio troubleshooter. The same Control Panel is also reachable by typing mmsys.cpl into the Run dialog.
Spatial sound and enhancements
Device properties for playback devices include an optional Spatial sound format dropdown for surround-style virtualization on stereo speakers or headphones, and Windows 10 supports several formats depending on hardware. These settings are separate from volume and only affect the perceived width of the soundstage, not loudness.
When Settings alone isn't enough
For quicker day-to-day adjustments without repeatedly opening Settings, see windows-10-volume-settings for a full map of every volume location, or consider a tray-based tool like EarTrumpet for Windows 10 that surfaces the same controls one click away.
A few practical notes
It's also worth checking the "Troubleshoot" link near the bottom of the Sound settings page whenever a device isn't appearing at all. Running the built-in audio troubleshooter can catch driver or service issues that no amount of slider adjustment will fix, and it's a faster first step than reinstalling drivers manually.
Frequently asked questions
How do I open Sound settings in Windows 10?
Press Win+I, then go to System > Sound.
Where do I change my default microphone in Windows 10?
In the Input section of Settings > System > Sound, choose it from the device dropdown.
What's the difference between Sound settings and the Sound Control Panel?
Settings is the modern simplified page; the Control Panel dialog offers older, more detailed device property tabs, reachable via a link on the Settings page or by running mmsys.cpl.
What does Spatial sound do?
It applies surround-style virtualization to stereo speakers or headphones; it changes soundstage width, not overall volume.
Can I open the Sound Control Panel directly?
Yes, type mmsys.cpl into the Run dialog (Win+R) and press Enter.