After burying this feature at the end of a test build, at the end of January, Microsoft announced that it was officially testing a new app volume control component for Windows 11. A welcome option… already available for five years.
The new volume mixer is officially in testing at Microsoft. On Thursday, March 2, the developers of Windows 11 unveiled a new test version (build 25309) of their operating system through the Windows Insider program.
In the changelog, Microsoft Teams officially announces a new feature: a new interface to separately adjust the volume of any running software, application or game. And much faster than today.
An idea inspired by other software
Specifically, this new panel consists of a vertical list of volume bars located next to the corresponding application icon. In addition to adjusting the volume, it also seems possible to click this thumbnail logo to completely mute the sound.
This volume mixer takes the aesthetic codes of Windows 11 and integrates into the quick access panel of the Windows taskbar. As with current sound output, just click the arrow next to the main soundbar. It can also be displayed via a new keyboard shortcut: Win + Ctrl + V (used by PowerToys for copy/paste without formatting).
A welcome new tool that simplifies these day-to-day settings, as today you have to go to the volume mixer settings page… unless you’ve installed the unofficial EarTrumpet software. This tool developed by two former Microsoft employees looks exactly like this new sound control panel. Therefore, Microsoft seems to have been inspired by this popular program for five years.
A function already tested before
This new volume mixer has already appeared before. As of January 2023, another version of the Insider program (Build 25281) allowed its use, even if it was hidden behind an experimental option. This is often a sign that Microsoft is testing features that they are not sure to maintain.
So we’re more likely to build it this time, though the changelog specifies that this new panel isn’t available to all Insiders: the Windows team plans to monitor tester feedback before rolling it out to everyone. the developers.
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