How to Audio Output Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

2 sections 3 min read

1 Why You Need to Split Audio Between Your Headset and Speakers
1.1 Key Takeaways: Splitting Audio in Windows 10
2 Method 1: The Easiest Way to Split Audio in Windows 10 (App-Specific)
2.1 Step-by-Step Guide to Using App Volume Preferences

Why You Need to Split Audio Between Your Headset and Speakers

Ever found yourself in a situation where you need game audio in your headset but want to play music for the room through your speakers? Or perhaps you’re on a Discord call and want to keep it private in your ears while a YouTube video plays for everyone else. By default, Windows 10 sends all audio to one “default” device, which can be incredibly limiting. Learning how to split audio between your headset and speakers in Windows 10 unlocks a new level of multitasking and control, allowing you to direct specific applications to specific audio devices. It’s a game-changer for gamers, streamers, and anyone who juggles multiple audio sources.

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough of four distinct methods to achieve perfect audio separation. We’ll start with the simple, built-in Windows tool and move on to more advanced software and hardware solutions.

Key Takeaways: Splitting Audio in Windows 10

Easiest Method (No Software): Use the built-in “App volume and device preferences” settings in Windows 10. This lets you assign different running applications to different audio outputs, like sending your game to your headset and Spotify to your speakers.

Mirroring Audio: To play the same* sound through both devices simultaneously, enable the hidden “Stereo Mix” feature in your Sound control panel’s recording tab.

Advanced Software Control: For ultimate flexibility, use a free virtual audio mixer like Voicemeeter Banana. It offers granular control for routing multiple audio sources to multiple outputs, which is ideal for streaming or complex setups.
Hardware Solutions: For a physical, reliable option, you can use a simple 3.5mm Y-splitter to duplicate audio or an external audio mixer for professional-level control over separate audio channels.

Method 1: The Easiest Way to Split Audio in Windows 10 (App-Specific)

This is the most direct and user-friendly method, built right into Windows 10. It allows you to assign specific, currently running applications to different audio devices. You don’t need to download any extra software.

From my own experience, this is the 90% solution. I use this every day to keep my game audio in my Razer BlackShark V2 headset for positional cues, while routing my background music from Spotify to my Logitech Z407 speakers for my office. It works flawlessly.