Per-App Volume in Windows Explained

How per-app volume relates to master volume

Each app's audible volume is the product of its own slider and the master/device volume. If master volume is at 50% and an app's slider is at 50%, the effective output is roughly a quarter of full volume. Turning master volume all the way up won't override a low per-app setting.

Accessing per-app volume

• Windows 11: right-click the tray speaker icon > Open Volume mixer, or Win+Ctrl+V
• Windows 10: Settings > System > Sound > App volume and device preferences
• Either version: type "sndvol" in Run for the classic popup

Assigning different output devices per app

Per-app volume pages also let you route each app to a specific playback device, for example sending music to speakers while a call goes to a headset. See using multiple audio devices in Windows for setup steps.

Where per-app volume came from

Per-app volume first appeared in Windows Vista as part of a broader overhaul of the audio stack, and it has stayed largely the same architecturally ever since, even as the user interface around it changed several times. The underlying idea is that each audio session, tied to a running process, carries its own volume and mute state that Windows tracks independently of the master level.

Per-app volume and the app volume mixer

The Windows app volume mixer is simply the visual interface for adjusting per-app volume; the feature and the interface are often described interchangeably, but it helps to remember that the mixer is just one way to reach the setting. Some third-party apps expose the same sessions through their own interface, including EarTrumpet's tray flyout.

Persistence and resets

Per-app levels are generally remembered per app and device pair. Uninstalling and reinstalling an app, or switching to a new default device, can reset its saved volume to full.

A quicker way to manage it

EarTrumpet exposes the same per-app sliders in a tray flyout so you can adjust them without leaving whatever you're doing. Compare it with built-in tools on the EarTrumpet vs. Windows Volume Mixer page.

Practical scenarios for per-app volume

• Keeping a voice call at full volume while turning down background music
• Muting a browser's notification sounds without silencing a video playing in another tab's app window
• Lowering a game's volume during a stream while keeping commentary audio untouched
• Sending one app to a headset and another to speakers using the same slider panel

Frequently asked questions

Why is an app's max volume lower than expected?

Its slider may be capped below 100% from a previous session, or master volume may be limiting the overall level.

Does per-app volume work with browser tabs individually?

No, Windows treats the whole browser as one app; individual tab muting is a browser-level feature, separate from Windows per-app volume.

Does per-app volume apply to games in full-screen exclusive mode?

Sometimes not; some games request exclusive access to the audio device, which can bypass the mixer until the game is set to windowed or borderless mode.

Is per-app volume available in Windows 7?

Yes, the classic Volume Mixer with per-app sliders shipped starting in Windows 7, though the modern Settings-based version arrived later in Windows 10 and 11.