How to switch between headphones and speakers without unplugging the headphones

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  1. Open Realtek HD Audio Manager [C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\RtkNGUI64.exe]
  2. Click on the settings 'cog' in the top right corner of RealTek HD Audio Manager and then select "Make front and rear output devices playback two different audio streams simultaneously".
  3. Seamlessly switch between audio devices via the Taskbar or Control Panel.
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Updated on September 18, 2022

Comments

  • Admin
    Admin almost 2 years

    When i'm using Ubuntu 18, I'm able to freely switch the audio output between my plugged-in headphones (with a jack plug) and the PC speakers using PulseAudio, without unplugging the headphones .

    I would like to be able to do the exact same thing on Windows 10 (installed on the same computer) with a software switch just like for Ubuntu. Contrary to a lot of answers to similar questions, this doesn't seem to be a hardware-switch only setting, or else I would be unable to do that on linux.

    In case this interests you, here's the command i used to achieve that on ubuntu :

    amixer -c 1 set 'Auto-Mute Mode' Disabled
    

    Thanks for your tips :)

    edit : Windows 10 pro 64 bit, version 1809 , OS build 17763.615

    edit2: I only see Speakers (Realtek High definition audio) when selecting the sound output device in the settings and in the taskbar

    • Elmo
      Elmo almost 5 years
      whats your windows 10 version ?
    • Admin
      Admin almost 5 years
      i updated my post :)
  • Máté Juhász
    Máté Juhász almost 5 years
    This answer didn't work for the problem in the question. Plugging in a device in jack overwrite built-in speaker and only the external one appears in the list.
  • Elmo
    Elmo almost 5 years
    @MátéJuhász just because it didn't work for you doesn't mean it will not work for others. It does not overwrite , check this link pcgamer.com/…
  • Admin
    Admin almost 5 years
    I only see Speakers (Realtek High definition audio) when selecting the output device while the headphones are plugged in :( thanks for trying though !
  • Sinandro
    Sinandro almost 4 years
    There is no Multistreaming button!
  • Jon
    Jon over 3 years
    Step 2 maybe - settings>option then select..
  • Jon
    Jon over 3 years
    The PCGamer only worked for me after steps 1&2 of aniket's answer. I think it may depends where the headphones are plugged in - front and back or both back etc