System Enable or Disable Exclusive Mode for Audio Device in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable exclusive mode for audio devices in Windows 11.

Exclusive mode allows applications to take exclusive control of an audio device, bypassing Windows audio processing and preventing other apps from using the device simultaneously.. You can also give exclusive mode applications priority.

Starting with Windows 11 build 29576.1000 (Experimental (Future Platforms)), configuring exclusive mode for an audio device is now available in the Advanced section of the Properties for that device directly in Settings, so you don’t have to navigate to Control Panel to do it.








1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Sound on the right side. (see screenshot below)



3 Click/tap on All sound devices. (see screenshot below)



4 Click/tap on an output or input sound device you want to enable or disable exclusive mode for. (see screenshot below)


5 Under Advanced settings, turn on or off Exclusive mode for what you want. (see screenshots below step 6)

6 If you turned on Exclusive mode, turn on or off Allow preemption for what you want. (see screenshots below)


7 You can now close Settings if you like.





1 Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Sound icon.

2 Perform the following actions: (see screenshots below)

1. Click/tap on the Playback (output) or Recording (input) tab for the type of device you want to enable or disable audio hardware acceleration for.
2. Select the sound device you want to enable or disable audio hardware acceleration for.
3. Click/tap on the Properties button.

3 Perform the following actions: (see screenshots below)

1. Click/tap on the Advanced tab.
2. Check (on) or uncheck (off) Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device for what you want.
3. If you checked Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device, check (on) or uncheck (off) Give exclusive mode applications priority for what you want.
4. Click/tap on OK.

4 Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)



That's it,
Shawn Brink