Windows – How to prevent volume changes by the playback manager

audioskypevolume-mixerwindows 8

The problem is that starting a Skype call in the Modern UI app lowers the volume of anything else I have running, including other apps that are running in the foreground alongside it. I already know about the option in Control Panel > Sound > Communications, so please don't bother pointing me there.

This seems relevant: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/windowsappdev/archive/2012/08/23/media-playback-what-you-need-to-know-about-playing-media-to-make-your-app-shine-in-windows-8.aspx

According to the above article, it seems to be related to the playback manager in W8. Is it possible to disable that?

Best Answer

Regarding skype, this is happening because it's treating Skype as "Communications Activity". CHange what happens when it detects communications activity via the Sounds screen.

From the link in your question:

Communications apps will always attenuate other system sounds when a call comes in on a communications stream type. If background music was playing, to hear the music again while in a call, the user can bring the music app to the foreground (snap the app or just bring it forward full screen) and then rune [sic] 1 applies.

You can get straight to the Sounds screen by right-clicking the volume icon in the task bar on the desktop and choosing "Sounds", or as below, via the control panel.

You can change what happens by opening the control panel (type "control panel" at the start menu) and search for "Sound" (in the top right search bar).

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Once you have the Sounds screen open choose the communications tab. Select the do nothing option.

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