audio - How to restrict volume output in Windows 7?

07
2014-07
  • Jerry Dodge

    I have my computer hooked to a stereo which doesn't like too much volume. I like the ability to control the volume from the Windows volume control rather than the stereo, but there's a point at about 80% where it's too much for the stereo. I have to always be careful not to exceed a certain level.

    How can I restrict the master volume put out of my computer beyond the standard Windows volume control? Even if it means installing a third-party program to do so?

    • Answers
  • Keltari

    Here is an easy and cheap solution. Get a headphone splitter with built in volume knobs. Like this. Just lower the volume to about 80%. This means at 100% output from your PC, the stereo will only get 80%.

  • edwardbackstrom

    Use the volume mixer that is part of Windows 7. If you right-click on the speaker icon, select "Open Volume Mixer". A window will open showing you your sound levels for the the system device and all applications you have open. If for example you use VLC to listen to your audio files of movies, you can set the volume for that program to 80% of your master volume and it will dynamically adjust as you set the master volume. Just be sure to open the program so that you can set the levels in the mixer. Next time you go in, the levels are remembered.


    • Related Question

    audio - How to make Windows 7's volume mixer save individual volumes again?
  • Gnoupi

    Possible Duplicate:
    Where are the Vista/Win7 Volume Mixer settings stored?

    Windows 7's volume mixer is normally saving the volume levels for individual programs, as long as the exe file doesn't change.

    However, for some reason, this functionality stopped working on my computer. Every program is opened at full volume, which is quite unpleasant with my current speaker configuration. If I set this volume and close the program, the next time I open it (no matter of reboot), it will be again at full volume, not remembering my setting.

    Is there a setting or a registry key to adjust, to make this functionality work again? Or is the problem related to the place where these settings are saved (wherever that might be)?

    (There are other questions around this topic on SU, but none is really about this particular problem, nor seems to give a hint about the issue)


    • Related Answers
  • Synetech

    You need a backup to try this really.
    Delete this whole PropertyStore key, and everything under it, out of the registry.

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\LowRegistry\Audio\PolicyConfig\PropertyStore

    It would be good to export that section for backup first, or have a whole image backup of the system, because . . . well it doesnt make sence that it is under internet explorer?

    It doesn't make any sence to me, but it holds that information, and I tested it. I tested it after confirming that the data is cleanable. On 2 forums they are indicating that this data would be good in a cleanup utility. I tested by tossing out the whole of mine, and re-booting. I tested by making adjustments and refreshing the registry to observe the change in data there from the mixer adjustments. Of course if your using such a cleanup utility at boot? then mabey it was included in it?

    This would only be a start at trying to find out why the info isnt being used.

    Then provide more information. Does it work when on the same boot ? or does it occur after a re-boot? If you just closed the program that was set, then re-open it as the next step a few second later, does it work then? Did you or do you use a Registry cleaner? What is the program ID each time? there is some discussion about it using the PID for the program?