Windows automatically assigns a default input device so the computer can record and hear sounds. You can also change what that default sound input device is if you don’t like Windows’ default choice.

When you have multiple recording devices set up on the computer Windows will continue using the original default option unless you tell it otherwise.

When you’ve got more than one recording device connected to the computer, you can change what the default sound input is from the Settings application and from Control Panel.

Example of what settings the Microphone  as the default sound input device looks like:

Example of what setting the Stereo Mix as the default sound looks like:

This tutorial demonstrates how to change the default sound input device when you’re using a version of the Windows 10 operating system.

How to Change Default Sound Input Device from Settings

Note: You’ll need to be running on at least Windows 10 build 17035 to change default sounds from the Settings application.

1. Open the Settings app and then click on the “System” link from the main Windows Settings menu.

2. From System’s left pane, select “Sound” and then click on the drop-down menu beneath where it says “Choose your input device.” (You can only choose more than one option from the drop-down menu if you have more than one input device connected to the computer.)

How to Change Default Sound Input Device from Sound Control Panel

1. Open the Control Panel so that it’s showing the icons views and then click on the Sound” icon from the list of all Control Panel items.

2. Select the “Recording” tab at the top of the Sound dialog box and then right-click on the input device that you want to have as the default and choose “Set as Default Device.”

3. Click on the “OK” button at the bottom of the Sound dialog to save your changes.

Alternatively, you can highlight the input device you want to have as the default by clicking on it once and then click on the “Set Default” button to achieve the same results.

Click on the “OK” button at the bottom of the Sound dialog to save your changes.

That’s it.

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