Microsoft is developing and pushing a series of practical new audio-related features for Windows 11. The most concerning of these is the further improvement of the "shared audio" capability, which some users can already experience through the preview version.
Microsoft has previously introduced the shared audio feature in Windows 11, which allows one computer to output sound to multiple pairs of headphones or earbuds at the same time, making it easier for two people to watch movies or listen to music together. Now this feature has been significantly improved in terms of ease of use and compatibility. Users can now adjust the volume individually for each connected device and set a comfortable listening volume for each, instead of adjusting the volume of one device to affect all devices at the same time. In the latest version, users only need to select "Shared Audio (Preview)" in the Control Center to see the independent volume slider provided for each audio device; of course, the main volume slider in the taskbar system tray can still adjust the overall volume of all devices at once.
To facilitate the identification of shared audio status, Microsoft has also added a special indicator icon in the system tray area of the taskbar: when shared audio is turned on, a small speaker icon with two characters will appear next to the network icon. Users can quickly view and enter related settings without opening the action center first.
In terms of device support, Windows 11’s shared audio feature has also expanded to more models of headphones and earbuds. The newly supported products include mainstream devices such as Samsung Galaxy Buds 4, Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, Sony WF-1000XM6, and Xbox wireless headsets, further expanding the scope of this feature. However, Microsoft also made it clear that shared audio is currently only available on Copilot+ PC models, and users of devices equipped with "traditional" processors are still unable to enable this feature.
For eligible users who want to try it out, you can experience the latest shared audio improvements by installing one of the Windows 11 preview builds: build 26300.7939 on the Dev channel and 26220.7934 on the Beta channel. It should be noted that these features adopt a phased push strategy, and the specific arrival time may vary by region and device, and it may take days or even weeks to appear on all eligible devices.
In addition to sharing audio, Microsoft has recently made other enhancements in the audio field, such as introducing support for the MIDI 2.0 standard for Windows 11, which has improved the system's capabilities in professional scenarios such as music production and electronic instrument connection, making it more suitable for musicians and creators.