How to Change Windows 8 Microphone

This updated guide examines How to Change Windows 8 Microphone and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Part 1of 5:

Bringing Up the Microphone Menu from the Taskbar

1. Find the speaker icon on the taskbar. It should be on the right side of the task bar, right next to where the time and date are displayed.
2. Right-click on the icon. This will bring up a menu that says things like: Playback devices, Recording devices, and Sounds.
3. Select "Recording devices" from the menu. You will get a pop-up on your desktop that says "Sound."
   • Click here to continue.

Part 2of 5:

Bringing Up the Microphone Menu from the Control Panel

1. Move the cursor to the upper-right side of the screen. You will get a drop-down menu that says things like: "Search," "Start," and "Settings."
2. Select "Settings" from the menu. You will get a side menu that says things like: Control Panel, PC Info, and Help.
3. Select "Control Panel" from the list. This will bring up the Control Panel pop-up on your desktop.
4. Click on "Hardware and Sound." It should be on the left-side of the pop-up.
5. Select "Manage Audio Devices." It can be found under the "Sound" section. Once you click on that, you will get a pop-up that says "Sound."
   • Click here to continue.

Part 3of 5:

Bringing Up the Microphone Menu from the Start Menu

1. Bring up the Start menu. You can do this by clicking on the "Start" icon on the lower-left side of the task bar. You can also click the "Start" button on your keyboard; it is located on the bottom left. It looks like a white window.
2. Start typing in "microphone." This will bring up several results, including one that says "Settings."
3. Click on "Settings" from the search results. This will take you to a new screen.
4. Select "Manage audio devices" from the list. You will get a new pop-up on your desktop that says "Sounds."
   • Click here to continue.

Part 4of 5:

Changing the Microphone

1. Make sure that the "Recording" tab is open. There will be several tabs along the top of the Sounds pop-up, including: "Playback," "Recording," "Sounds," and "Communications."
2. Find the microphone that you want to use. You may have only one microphone showing, or you may have several. If the microphone you want to use is not showing up in the list, try one of the following:
   • Make sure that the microphone you want to use is plugged in, and that it's in the correct jack socket. The color of the socket may vary; it should have an icon of a microphone right next to it.
   • If you are on a laptop, you will likely have a microphone already built into your computer; however, you can still plug in a higher-quality one.
   • Right-click one of the microphones from the list, and make sure that the "Show disabled devices" is checked. This should bring up all of the microphones available.
3. Right-click on the microphone you want to use and click on it.
4. Select "Set as default device" to change the microphone. This will now be your active microphone.
   • You can also select "Set as default communication device." This means that you'll only be able to use the microphone to chat with other people in programs, such as Skype and video games.
   • If you want to make recordings on your computer, then select "Set as default device."

Part 5of 5:

Testing the Microphone

1. Say something into your microphone. You can also breathe into it, or tap it.
2. Look for rising green bars. This means that the microphone is picking up noise. You may notice that more green bars appear the louder your talk. If the microphone you want to use is not showing any green bars, you will need to configure it.
   • Make sure that the microphone you are using is set as your default.
3. Double-click on the microphone. This will bring up the "Microphone properties" pop-up.
4. Make sure that the "Levels" tab is selected. When you bring up the "Microphone properties" pop-up, you will notice several tabs along the top, including: "General," "Listen," and "Levels." Make sure that "Levels" is selected.
5. Drag the microphone slider to the right. You may notice two different sliders: "Microphone" and "Microphone boost." Go to the "Microphone" slider, and move the arrow to the right, until the number "100" shows up in the box beside it. Click "Okay" to return to the sound pop-up.
6. Try talking into the microphone again. You should now see some moving green bars each time that you talk. Click "Okay" again to save your settings.