OutputSwitch

OutputSwitch is an ultra-lightweight Windows utility that lets you switch between your active audio output devices in seconds. It runs quietly in the system tray, so your speakers, headphones, monitor audio, or USB headset are always one keyboard shortcut away.

Whether you move between a desk setup and headphones throughout the day, or simply want a faster alternative to opening Windows sound settings, OutputSwitch keeps the task simple and out of the way.

Features

• Switches to the next available audio output device with a global keyboard shortcut.
• Uses Ctrl + Alt + S by default.
• Supports speakers, headphones, monitors, USB audio devices, and other active Windows output devices.
• Changes the default device for media, system audio, and communications.
• Shows the selected device in the system tray and can display a notification after each switch.
• Lets you switch devices by double-clicking the tray icon as well.
• Includes a tray menu showing the active shortcut, a Start with Windows option, and commands to open or reload settings and exit the app.
• The shortcut can be launched at Windows logon without administrator privileges via the Start with Windows menu option (stored in HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run).
• Starts with no main window and stays out of your way.

Getting Started

1. Download the latest OutputSwitch.exe from the Releases page. (OutputSwitch.ini is optional.)
2. Run OutputSwitch.exe.
3. Press Ctrl + Alt + S to move to the next active audio output device.

The OutputSwitch icon appears in the Windows system tray. Hover over it to see the currently selected device, double-click it to switch outputs, or right-click it to access its menu.

Customize the Shortcut

OutputSwitch.ini is optional: if it is absent, OutputSwitch starts silently with the default shortcut (Ctrl + Alt + S) and notifications enabled. Selecting Open configuration from the tray menu creates the file with the default values before opening it, so you can edit it and then choose Reload configuration from the same menu.

[Hotkey]
Modifiers=Ctrl+Alt
Key=S

[UI]
Notifications=1

You can combine Ctrl, Alt, Shift, and Win in Modifiers. The Key can be a letter, number, function key (F1 to F24), or common navigation key such as Space, Tab, Home, End, Insert, Delete, PageUp, PageDown, or an arrow key.

Set Notifications=0 if you prefer to switch devices without a notification. Set it back to 1 to enable notifications again.

Start with Windows

Right-click the tray icon and toggle Start with Windows. The preference is written to the current user's registry (HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run), so no administrator privileges are required.

Requirements

• Windows
• At least two active audio output devices to cycle between

Build Size

Run build.bat to produce the smaller executable (about 59 KB). It requires the x64 Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable to be installed on the target computer.

Run build.bat standalone to produce a self-contained executable (about 183 KB) that embeds the Microsoft C runtime.

License

Licensed under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0. You may use, modify, and share OutputSwitch for noncommercial purposes. Commercial use is not permitted.