Changing App Volume & Device Preferences: Windows & Mac

Learn how to control volume for different programs on your computer

Written by Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: November 3, 2026 Fact Checked

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Windows 11

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Windows 10

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Mac

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If one app on your PC or Mac is a little too loud, or you want to change which device a single app is playing audio through, you can do so easily in your Windows settings or with a third-party Mac tool. In Windows, these options are located in your settings. If you're on macOS, a third-party tool like FineTune is necessary. Keep reading to learn more.

Ways to Change App Volume & Device Preferences

Windows 11: Go to Settings > System > Sound > Volume mixer, then adjust individual app volumes and their input/output devices.
Windows 10: Go to Settings > Sound > App volume and device preferences.
Mac: You'll need to download a third-party tool, such as FineTune, to adjust individual app volumes and preferred devices.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Changing App Volume & Device Preferences (Win 11)

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You can do this easily by pressing ⊞ Win+i, or by using the taskbar search bar.
2
Click System in the left-hand sidebar. It's the second option, and it has an icon of a blue computer screen.

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3
Click Sound. It's the second option on the right-hand side of the screen. It has an icon of a speaker with three sound bars.
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Click Volume mixer. You'll need to scroll down to find this option. It's under the Advanced header.
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Adjust the volume of individual apps. If you have multiple programs running, you'll see them listed under Apps, with their names and icons. By default, all apps run at 100% volume and use your default input and output devices. To adjust the volume of a specific app, click and drag the slider next to it. Drag it to the left to lower it and to the right to raise it.
- To change the volume of system sounds, adjust the System sounds option under the Apps header.
- To adjust your computer's global sound, drag the slider next to Volume under the System header.
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Click an app to expand it. This will allow you to change the audio device the app uses.
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Change the audio devices your apps use. By default, it will use your default audio input and output device. However, you can use the dropdown to change it (such as making one app play through your speakers and another through your headset).^{[1]
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- Your audio and device preferences will be saved after you close the window.
- If you need to reset your sound devices and volumes, click Reset under the Apps header.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Changing App Volume & Device Preferences (Win 10)

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1
Open your Windows settings. You can do this easily by pressing ⊞ Win+I, or by using the taskbar search bar.
2
Click the Sound option. It will be in the grid of your various settings options.
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Click App volume and device preferences. It's under the Advanced sound options header in your sound settings.
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Adjust the volume of individual apps. If you have multiple programs running, you'll see them listed on this screen with their names and icons. By default, all apps run at 100% volume and use your default input and output devices. To adjust the volume of a specific app, click and drag the slider next to it. Drag it to the left to lower it and to the right to raise it.
- To change the volume of system sounds, adjust the System sounds option.
- To adjust your computer's global sound, drag the slider next to Master volume at the top of the screen.
5
Change the audio devices your apps use. By default, it will use your default audio input and output device. However, you can use the dropdown to change it (such as making one app play through your speakers and another through your headset).^{[2]
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- Your audio and device preferences will be saved after you close the window.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Changing App Volume & Device Preferences (Mac)

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1
Download a third-party app volume controller program. Unfortunately, macOS doesn't natively let you change your app volume and device preferences. However, there are several third-party tools that offer this functionality. We'll cover how to use FineTune, though other free and paid tools are available.
- To download FineTune, go to the GitHub releases page and download the latest .DMG file. Run the .DMG file to install the app.
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Launch the FineTune app. After installing FineTune, you'll find it in your Applications folder. When you launch it, you'll see a new icon in your menu bar.
- After launching FineTune, you'll need to grant it permissions to record screen and system audio.
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Click the FineTune icon in your menu bar. This will open the FineTune menu.
4
Adjust the volume of individual apps. If you have multiple programs running, you'll see them listed on this screen under the Apps header with their names and icons. To adjust the volume of a specific app, click and drag the slider next to it. Drag it to the left to lower it and to the right to raise it.
- To change your master volume, click and drag the slider next to the audio output device you're using (listed at the top of the window).
5
Click the icon to the right of the volume slider. This will open a menu where you can change what output devices your apps use.
If you want to use only one output device, click Single and choose an option (including System audio, which uses the audio output device you're currently using). If you want to choose multiple, select the Multi tab and click the checkboxes next to each device you want to use for that app.^{[3]
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