Easy way to switch default sound output device

Question

I want an easier way to change my default sound device from my sound card to my usb headset.

Currently it takes a very precise right click, a left click, another right click, and two more left clicks.

Ideally i could just have it swap with a shortcut key. (it was a little easier in XP but not by much.)

A software solution is preferred, but I am open to suggestions that use hardware.

I am running Windows 7 currently.

Answer 1

Free and open-source: SoundSwitch

Answer 2

I use NirCMD, a nifty command-line tool which allows you to edit a lot of windows settings using a script.

In this case, that would be

nircmd.exe setdefaultsounddevice "USB Headset"

I use it to switch my main monitor to be my TV, and output the sound over HDMI to that device:

nircmdc.exe setprimarydisplay \\.\DISPLAY7
nircmdc.exe setdefaultsounddevice "SONY TV-4"

Answer 3

Use AutoIt

The main advantage is that you don't have to install any software. It works out-of-the-box. After you've created the tool place a shortcut on your desktop to toggle your devices.

How to set up

1. Create a new text file with notepad and copy & paste the code

   Run("c:\windows\system32\control.exe mmsys.cpl")
   WinWaitActive("Sound")
   WinSetOnTop ("Sound","Sound", 1 )
   send("{DOWN}")
   if ControlCommand("Sound", "", 1002, 'IsEnabled') Then
       ControlClick("Sound", "Set Default", 1002)
       $message = "Speakers"
   else
       send("{DOWN}")
       ControlClick("Sound", "Set Default", 1002)
       $message = "Headset"
   EndIf
   WinClose("Sound")
   TrayTip("", $message, 5)
   Sleep(2000)
   

2. Edit line 4 and 8 send("{DOWN}") to your needs. The example code above only toggles between device #1 and #2. You have to edit two lines to your needs. See my explanations below.

3. Replace "Speakers" and "Headset" with your correspondig device name or something similar
   Later, this hint will be shown in your tray for 5 seconds if you toggle sound devices

4. On non-English Windows versions you have to replace Set Default in line 6 and 10 with your localized button text
   

5. Save the file as something.au3

6. Download the zipped version of AutoIt and extract it. Go to subfolder Aut2Exe and start Aut2exe.exe to convert the .AU3 script to a .EXE file. You're done

Reference to all AutoIt commands

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Or use AutoHotKey

It's basically the same, only with AutoHotKey. The key binding is done right in the script with #!z which means, every time you pressy Alt+Win+z you switch between your device #1 and #2.

How to set up

1. Paste the code below to a text file and save it as SoundToggle.ahk

   #!z::
   Run, c:\windows\system32\control.exe mmsys.cpl    
   WinWaitActive, Sound
   WinSet, AlwaysOnTop, On, Sound    
   Send, {DOWN}    
   ControlGet, MyState, Enabled, , Button2
   If (MyState = 1){
       ControlClick, Button2, A
   } Else {
       Send, {DOWN}
       ControlClick, Button2, A
   }    
   WinClose, Sound        
   return
   

2. Download AutoHotKey (Unicode 32-bit) and extract AutoHotKey.exe

3. Create a shortcut to that .EXE and modify the target line according to your own paths

   "C:\myfolder\AutoHotkey.exe" "C:\myfolder\SoundToggle.ahk"
   

4. Move the shortcut to your startup folder

---

How to edit send("{DOWN}") lines

Open your sound panel with Win+R and enter control mmsys.cpl sounds. You want to know how many times you have to press the DOWN key to get to your first sound device and how many times to press DOWN again to reach the second device.

For example, to toggle device #3 and #5 you have to press down three times send("{DOWN 3}") and press down again two times send("{DOWN 2}") more to reach the fifth device (3x down + 2x down = 5th device). You get the idea.

Answer 4

This app called "Coastal Audio Changer" should work for Windows 7. As of 2012 it has a free trial and is $3 to purchase. The author, Andrew Bailey, hosts the trial and purchase links on this dedicated Coastal Audio Changer website.