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Is there a way to disable program-specific volume controls?

Anonymous
2014-05-02T00:51:33+00:00

I have a problem where every time I change my screen resolution settings (which I do often to disable and enable various monitors), the program specific volume settings in Windows reset to seemingly random values.  I'd like to eliminate the problem by disabling the per-program volume controls and just use the global system-wide one, for which I have hotkeys.  Is this possible?  Even a registry fix would be great, or an alternate solution like locking them to a certain value, or disabling the alteration during screen resolution changes.

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Anonymous
2014-05-08T11:00:19+00:00

Hi Louis,

Thank you for providing an update on the issue.

Follow these methods listed below and check if it fixes the issue:

Method 1:

Try the following to disable this behavior:

  • Type "sound" on the Start screen and select Change sound card settingsfrom the search items.
  • In the Communications tab, change "When Windows detects communications activity" to Do nothing.

Check if it fixes the issue. If not, proceed to the next method.

Method 2:

Let's reset the Volume Mixer settings and check if it fixes the issue. Follow the steps to do so:

Press Windows+X keys and select Command Prompt(admin).

Refer to the link and follow the suggestions from **Per4u3e** posted on November 8th, 2012.  

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-pictures/how-do-you-reset-all-of-the-mixer-volume-levels/90eea67a-07ac-4d58-8092-4ca52143d166

Note: This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, you can refer to the following steps to back the registry files on the computer:

  • Press Windows and R key to open the run box.
  • Type ‘regedit’ and press Enter from the keyboard.
  • Open the file option on the menu bar.
  • Click on Export and save the file with a name on the desktop.
  • If you want to restore the file, you can do so by double clicking the file that you have saved on the desktop.

Please let us know the status of this issue.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-05-07T14:30:37+00:00

    No, that doesn't really help.  I am referring to the volume of applications in the Volume Mixer.  Whenever I change screens, those values change, and it's really irritating.  I tried what you suggested, but it didn't seem to affect this issue.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-05-02T15:51:12+00:00

    Hi Louis,

    This issue might occur if the setting to take control of the playback device is enabled on the computer.

    When you say “Program-specific volume”, are you referring to the volume or sound level for the applications within the Volume mixer?

    When you right click on the speaker icon at the bottom right corner on the taskbar and click on Volume Mixer. If you are referring to the Applications sound or sounds for various programs that might be running at that moment (Program-specific application), then you can disable the settings to allow applications to take control of that playback device. It’s not possible to disable the Volume settings for applications.

    Follow the steps mentioned below to disable the setting:

    • Right Click on speaker icon at the taskbar. Click on Playback devices.
    • Right Click on the playback device within the list of devices and select Properties.
    • Go to Advanced tab. Remove the check from the box next to Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.

    Please let us know the status of this issue.

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