Microsoft is currently continuing to experiment with a new audio control feature Windows11 With it, users can control the volume of multiple apps from the quick settings.
Volume Mixer, as it’s called, is currently available in Preview build 25281 (opens in new tab) from the Windows 11 Insider Program Dev Channel. It is compared to software like Discord and ear trumpet due to similar ways to adjust volume levels for different audio sources. For example, you can keep the volume on a Skype call loud while turning down the music on Spotify and have WhatsApp somewhere in between for notifications. It’s a layer of management that’s currently not seen, as Windows 11 currently only offers universal customizations. Users typically use third-party apps like EarTrumpet to gain this level of control.
Most interestingly, Microsoft didn’t mention Volume Mixer in the preview build announcement. It was only discovered after users dug into the build’s files and found the hidden function. Hopefully the tool will become a reality, because being able to adjust each app’s volume individually would be awesome. Windows 11 needs a better audio tool.
We say “hopefully” because this is an experimental feature and there is no guarantee it will ever be released. As in a Contribution to the Windows Insider Program as of 2022, some “concepts will never ship…” It’s possible that Microsoft will take Volume Mixer back to the drawing board to improve it, but who knows at that point?
New features and a redesign
What was actually revealed in Preview Build 25281, Windows Spotlight is getting a minor redesign. The user interface shows more detailed information about an image, e.g. B. the name of the motif and a short description. The developers are also experimenting with different methods of switching images; B. whether it should be a “full screen experience” or not. Adjusting the graphical settings will be easier to do according to Microsoft. Certain configurations such as GPU preference are now displayed front and center in the Graphics section of the Settings menu.
Additionally the The Notepad app now supports multiple tabs So users can manage multiple files in one window. Similar to browsers, you can Drag one of the tabs (opens in new tab) out to be an entity of its own. And there’s a new Notepad preference that lets users decide “whether files open in new tabs or a new window by default.”
Other new Notepad features include additional keyboard shortcuts and the ability for the app to automatically create file/tab names based on existing content. The Notepad update appears to be separate from Preview Build 25281, so you’ll need to download both.
Microsoft is working hard to pave the way for Windows 11 to eventually take on the role of the company’s only supported operating system. Next to sunset Windows 7 and 8.1the company recently announced that it would no longer sell Windows 10 Home or Pro licenses on its website from 31.01.
Be sure to check out the TechRadar guide how to upgrade to windows 11when you’re thinking of finally taking the plunge.
