How to adjust sound volume in Windows

Step-by-step instructions for changing the volume of your microphone (loudness of your recorded speech) and your speakers (all sound).

Select the Windows version that you have on your PC (below) and then follow the instructions for that version.

Windows XP

Click >Control Panel >Sound and Audio Devices
To adjust the speaker volume (loudness of all sounds) :
1. Make sure you're in the Volume tab.
2. Adjust the horizontal slider below Device volume.
To adjust the microphone volume (how loud your recorded voice is) :
1. Click the Audio tab
2. Below Sound recording click the Volume... button.
3. Make the microphone volume even louder by turning on Mic Boost:
  1. Click the Advanced button in the lower right corner of the Recording Control window.
    If that button isn't visible select, from the menu at the top of the window: Options>Advanced Controls (so that it's checked).
  2. Click the Mic Boost checkbox to make Mic more sensitive (louder)
4. If you are this adjustment does not resolve the problem please view instructions for fixing microphone problems in Windows XP.

Click the Start button , and type MMSYS.CPL in the Start Search box, and then press the ENTER key.
The Sound dialog box is displayed
To adjust loudness of all sound from your speakers, select the Playback tab.
1. Click the Properties button. The Speakers Properties dialog is displayed.
2. Select the Levels tab.
To adjust the volume of your microphone (recording your speech), select the Recording tab.
1. Click Microphone, and then click Properties.
  Note Make sure that Working appears under Microphone. If Working does not appear, click Microphone, and then click Set Default.
2. In the Microphone Properties dialog box, click the Custom tab.
3. Select or clear the Microphone Boost check box. Selecting it makes the microphone more sensitive (louder).
4. Click the Levels tab.
5. Adjust the volume slider to the level that you want, and then click OK.
Click OK to close the Sound dialog box.