Hotkey to Switch Audio Devices

I switch back and forth between my headphones and computer speakers at work a lot. So I decided it was time to figure out a hotkey to do this. My coworker told me about a program called AutoHotkey, and combined with a small file it does everything I want it to. In this example below I am using F6 to switch to my computers and F7 to switch to my Logitech headphones. Also, I am running Windows 7 x64. The following tutorial should work fine on Windows 7 x32 and Windows 7 x64.

Step 1

Download and install AutoHotkey. (download link)

Step 2

During the installation, there is a x32 and x64 bit version. In this example, I am using the x64 bit version. The x32 should work fine as well. The new few screens just accept the default and click Next.

Step 3

Before launching the program you will need to download our customized AutoHotkey file. Right click and choose “Save Link As” on this file: AutoHotkey.ahk. Save the file in the root of your “My Document” folder. This is where AutoHotkey will look when it launches.

You can also copy the contents of the .ahk file below:

*F6::
    Run, mmsys.cpl
    WinWait,Sound
    ControlSend,SysListView321,{Down 4}
    ControlClick,&Set Default
    ControlClick,OK
    return

*F7::
    Run, mmsys.cpl
    WinWait,Sound
    ControlSend,SysListView321,{Down 3}
    ControlClick,&Set Default
    ControlClick,OK
    return

Step 4

Now you need to find what order your audio devices are in. On the bottom right of your taskbar, right click on the speaker icon and click “Playback devices.”

Step 5

You need to make a note of which order they are in before we go edit the AutoHotkey.ahk file. Notice that in my example, my computer speakers are 3 down from the top and my Logitech headphones are 4 down from the top.

Step 6

Now go and open the AutoHotkey.ahk file, that is in your My Documents folder, with Notepad. You will notice I set the down number in the file to match the order of my audio device. Also, you can change the function key to something else if you like.

Step 7

Now launch AutoHotkey from your program files, and it will run on your taskbar.

Step 8

I recommend reloading the script. Right click on AutoHotKey running in your taskbar and select “Reload this script.”

Now you can test your hotkey by pressing your function keys. If you have everything setup correctly this will now toggle between your audio devices with one press of a button!

User Suggestion

French noob also recommended this software. We tried it and it also works great! http://soundswitch.codeplex.com/

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