Microsoft is testing the audio mixer tool ahead of its official launch in Windows 11

It was officially revealed as part of the new Preview Build 25309 build being released to testers in the Windows 11 Insider Dev channel, according to a report by theverge.

When released, the updated sound will be placed within the Quick Settings panel on the Windows taskbar, which can be accessed by clicking the volume icon.

Microsoft has also added a new Windows keyboard shortcut (Win + Ctrl + V) to open audio directly, allowing users to quickly switch between audio outputs (such as headphones, speakers, etc.), as well as adjust the volume of individual applications and switch spatial audio technologies such as Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about the new sound system, and before Microsoft’s official announcement, the feature was leaked last month after it was discovered within a beta flag for a Windows 11 test build.

It may also sound familiar to anyone who’s used EarTrumpet — a third-party volume control app for Windows that was created nearly five years ago to “fill in a number of gaps in the sound management experience on Windows 10.”

There’s currently no word on a public release date for improving Windows volume levels, and Microsoft says it’s not even available to all Insiders in the development channel “yet,” which allows the company to monitor feedback before making the feature more widely available soon.