Set the Default Audio Device — Per App and Globally
A short, friendly walkthrough of setting global and per-application audio devices, and pinning the choice you want.
The Global Default
In the audio settings panel, every output device on the system is listed. One is marked as the default — the one applications will use unless they specifically pick another. Right-click any device and choose "Set as default" to switch.
The default communication device is a separate setting and applies to voice calls only. Setting both to the same device is fine and is what most users want.
Per-Application Routing
Modern audio settings include a per-application section. You can route a specific application to a specific device — for example, music to your speakers and meetings to your headset. The choice persists until you change it.
If an application does not appear in the list, play a few seconds of audio first. The system adds applications to the list once they actually output sound.
When the Choice Does Not Stick
Some headsets present multiple endpoints — a music endpoint and a chat endpoint, for example. Setting the right one as default takes care; the wrong endpoint may explain why the change appears to not stick.
For Bluetooth headsets that have a "hands-free" and a "high-fidelity" profile, picking the right profile in the audio settings is also important. Hands-free is the chat profile; high-fidelity is for music.
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