Change Default Windows Audio Device via Command Line

I just had to share this!

I use 3 different audio devices (Speakers, Stereo Headset and a 7.1 Headset) for various different applications. While Windows is now relatively smart about how it sets the default device when detected, it still requires removing / adding the device.

I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be great if I could just create a script that I could execute before running certain applications that would allow me to set the audio device automatically. Most search results provided links to third party macro / hotkey applications which was not what I was looking for. Looking deeper I came across a gem of an application, AudioEndPointController by Dan Stevens.

This application lets you list the audio output devices attached to the computer and can also set the default output. Using shortcuts to call the executable, I can parse the audio device number of my choosing, and the default device flips, simple as that. Chrome plays well and any audio playing (Youtube etc) will immediately switch over. Firefox (for me) requires a restart.

I Googled for images of my headphones / speakers and converted them to .ico files so I could have graphical shortcuts on the start bar. I used http://www.convertico.com/ to convert them online. Works great!

Compulsory – yet tiny image: