How to Set Up Custom Volume Control Hotkeys in Windows

Are you interested in learning how to Set Up Custom Volume Control Hotkeys in Windows, whether it’s a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet? Or perhaps you are looking for the sound volume shortcut key on your personal computer because you would like to learn how to increase the volume on a computer using the keyboard. The volume control is an essential feature in Windows 10 and Windows 11, and it doesn’t matter what device you’re using because it’s always there.

Windows does not include any standard keyboard shortcuts for increasing or decreasing the volume, and the reasoning behind this decision has never been made clear. Undoubtedly, the majority of laptops have volume buttons built into their keyboards, and some external keyboards also have their own dedicated volume buttons. However, some of us prefer to use mechanical keyboards, which do not come with their own volume controls. In these cases, we would rather not have to mess with the on-screen volume slider that Windows provides.

However, there is one aspect of life in which Windows users seemingly need to look with envy upon their Mac brothers and sisters, and that is the use of hotkeys for controlling the volume level on the machine. The Windows 10 desktop has many wonderful features, but there is one aspect of life in which Windows users seemingly need to look with envy upon their Mac brothers and sisters. We mentioned below are the ways how to Set Up Custom Volume Control Hotkeys in Windows.

How to Set Up Custom Volume Control Hotkeys in Windows

1. Launch the page titled “Volume Control” on Softpedia.
2. To view the available download locations, click the “Free Download” button.
3. Choose the Secure Download (US) option, as it is the most appropriate for North America.
4. To open File Explorer in Windows 11, simply right-click the Start button on the taskbar.
5. Launch the folder that houses the Volume Control file after it has been downloaded.
6. To open the software, simply open the VolumeControl file with a double click; installation is not required.
7. In the window labelled “Volume Control,” select the “Hotkeys” tab.
8. Click the checkbox to increase the volume.
9. Select a key for your hotkey by using the drop-down menu that appears after clicking the Key option. If you want to extend the functionality of your hotkey by using one of the modifier keys, you can also select the checkboxes for Alt, Ctrl, Shift, or Win.
10. Repeat the previous step after selecting the checkbox labelled “Volume up” to assign a shortcut key for increasing the volume.
11. The next step is to choose the “Toggle Mute” option, and then you will need to repeat step nine in order to set a keyboard shortcut for muting the volume.
12. Launch a programme that you want to use the shortcut keys for now. It would be ideal if you had access to a web browser or media player from which you could play music and videos.
13. You can see a list of currently running applications by selecting the Mixer tab.
14. To assign the custom hotkeys, you will need to press the Select button next to the programme that you want to control.
15. To ensure that the volume control hotkeys are always assigned to the chosen programme, select the “Lock” checkbox and click the “OK” button.

How to Download and Extract NirCmd

1. Launch the NirCmd download page in your web browser.
2. You can download NirCmd 64-bit by scrolling down to the bottom of that page and clicking the link there.
3. To open NirCmd’s ZIP file, just double-click its icon.
4. In File Explorer’s command bar, select the Extract all option.
5. To select a destination for the extracted files, select the Browse option.
6. To select it, you need to click the checkbox labelled Show extracted files when complete.
7. To extract the files from the ZIP archive in Windows, click the Extract button.

How to Set Up a Mute Hotkey

1. Launch the NirCmd folder that was previously extracted.
2. Click the nircmd EXE, then select Copy as path from the context menu that appears.
3. Clicking an area of your desktop with the right mouse button and then selecting the New option from the context menu is the next step.
4. To access the shortcut, select it from the submenu.
5. To paste the copied NirCmd path into the location box, press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + V on your keyboard.
6. Then, after the NirCmd path, press the Space key once, and in the location box, enter mutesysvolume 2 in the manner that is displayed directly below. The following should be included in the location box at that point: “NirCmd folder path\ nircmd.exe” mutesysvolume 2.
7. To proceed, please click the Next button.
8. In the box provided for the shortcut name, type Mute, and then click the Finish button.

You should see a new shortcut on your desktop labelled “Mute.” Once the video has started playing in the browser or media player, you can mute it by clicking that shortcut. The following steps will show you how to assign a shortcut key to the Mute button on your desktop.

1. Select Properties from the context menu that appears when you right-click the Muted desktop shortcut.
2. To position the text cursor within the Shortcut key box, click anywhere within the box itself.
3. To configure the Ctrl + Alt + M shortcut, press the letter M.
4. To save, select the Apply button.

Benefits of using custom volume control hotkeys

1. Efficiency: Custom hotkeys allow you to adjust the volume quickly without the need to open the volume control settings or use the mouse. This can save time and make the process more efficient.
2. Personalization: You can set up hotkeys that suit your preferences, making it easier to control the volume in a way that feels comfortable and intuitive to you.
3. Reduced Distraction: When you can control the volume with hotkeys, you don’t need to divert your attention away from your current task to adjust the volume manually. This can help maintain focus and reduce distractions.
4. Accessibility: Custom hotkeys can be especially useful for individuals with disabilities who may have difficulty using a mouse or navigating complex menus. Hotkeys provide a simpler and more accessible way to adjust volume.
5. Multitasking: Hotkeys allow you to adjust the volume while multitasking, whether you’re working, gaming, or watching videos. This means you can fine-tune the audio without interrupting your workflow.
6. Consistency: With custom hotkeys, you can maintain consistent volume control across different applications and platforms. This ensures that the volume behaves the way you want it to, regardless of what you’re using.

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