These days, Windows 10 users frequently need to juggle several microphones—there might be one built into a PC, one on a webcam, on a headset, and peradventure a podcasting microphone. With so many to choose from, here's how to tell Windows which microphone to use by default.

Yous Tin can Also Set a Default Microphone In Some Apps

Before we begin, it's worth noting that in some apps (such as Zoom, for example) y'all can select your microphone device within the app, and that pick volition function independently of the Windows system sound settings.

You tin also assign which microphone you lot'd like to employ on an app-by-app basis using a cached card in Settings. But if yous'd like to set your default microphone arrangement-broad, follow the steps below. Every app that uses the default Windows microphone—that's the default selection for most apps—will use information technology.

RELATED: How to Set Per-App Sound Outputs in Windows 10

How to Choose Your Default Microphone Using Settings

You can easily select your default microphone in Settings. First, open up "Settings" by clicking the "Commencement" menu and selecting the gear icon on the left. Yous can also press Windows+i to quickly open information technology.

Alternatively, you can also right-click the speaker icon in the system tray at the right side of your taskbar and select "Open Sound Settings." Windows will open the "Sound Settings" screen.

In the "Settings" window, click "System."

On the "Organisation" screen, click "Sound" from the sidebar menu.

Curlicue down to the "Input" section on the "Sound" screen. In the drib-down menu labeled "Cull your input device," select the microphone you'd like to apply as your default device.

In Windows 10 Sound settings, select an input device from the drop-down menu.

Once y'all've selected a device from the drop-down carte, Windows will use that device as your default microphone. After that, close "Settings," and you lot're prepare to go.

How to Choose Your Default Microphone Using the Control Panel

Yous can also ready your default microphone using the classic Control Panel. Y'all can access it using the speaker icon in your system tray, which is located on the far side of your taskbar opposite the Starting time card.

Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and select "Sounds" from the menu that pops up.

In the "Sound" window that appears, click the "Recording" tab.

Next, yous'll see a list of recording devices recognized by your system, which includes microphones. Select the microphone you'd like to utilize as default from the list and click the "Fix Default" button.

Later that, the microphone you've selected volition take a light-green checkmark beside it in the list, showing that it is set as your default recording device. The listing will also include the words "Default Device."

Click "OK," and the "Audio" window will close. If you e'er need to change your default microphone once more, simply select "Sounds" from the speaker icon in the arrangement tray.

Good luck with your new podcast!