Can I backup/restore my custom Windows Sound settings?


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       #1

    Can I backup/restore my custom Windows Sound settings?


    I've lost count of the number of times (and hours of frustration I've experienced) having set up custom entries, i.e., descriptors and icons, for my speaker and microphone settings under Windows➡️Sound via Control Panel, which have subsequently been reset for no apparent reason or, if, say, I've temporarily unplugged a peripheral. The attached screenshots should illustrate what I mean. Although I've put the information into a Word file as an aide memoir, which helps me copy and paste the info, it's still a massive pain in the butt! Is it possible to back these up and restore them properly?

    Many thanks - Gerry.

    (My Windows version is 11 Pro 22H2 Build 22621.1105 but this exact same problem has reoccurred, for me, over many generations).
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Can I backup/restore my custom Windows Sound settings?-sound-playback-speakers-screenshot.jpg   Can I backup/restore my custom Windows Sound settings?-sound-recording-microphones-screenshot.jpg  
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,984
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hi, one basic method of protection is System Restore points.

    If you have a current restore point, then, once you note that something has been changed and you wish to revert to the previous state, assuming Windows is otherwise operational, then a restore point will do that. (It also reverts anything installed/uninstalled, updates, settings changes but has no effect on personal data).

    Assuming all those settings are held in the registry or in one of the file types monitored by System Restore (list available from relevant tutorial) then that should work.

    I've not experienced what you describe but you have a much more complex configuration.

    You can schedule the creation of restore points (Tutorial available).

    If you wished to try to find where these are in the registry, try using Regshot (free) to monitor a change.
    Your starter for 10:

    Capture and more:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\MMDevices\Audio
    The playback device is located in
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\MMDevices\Audio\Render
    in Windows 10. After you go to Render, you will see the GUID code for each device.

    Sound schemes
    Change sound scheme in windows via Windows Registry - Super User

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ControlPanel\Sounds
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Reply to dalchina


    Thank you for your assistance, dalchina.

    I do keep and quite often use system restores, but I always have to do them from boot-up because they invariably fail, otherwise, being typically accompanied by the nonsensical and thoroughly unhelpful messages Microsoft is famed for!

    On top of that, it may be days, and could even be weeks, between the occurrences happening and me discovering them, so necessitating me trying to remember what I may have changed in the interim along with lots of remedial steps, manually, to truly restore everything I need to. Ideally, there'd be a straightforward method available to simply back up and restore information like this, especially considering that Microsoft provides the means to personalise it, but, alas, I'm almost sure none exists within Windows. However, I thought it would do no harm to clutch at some straws, so to speak!

    I will explore Regshot, though, so thanks again.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 42,984
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

    I do keep and quite often use system restores, but I always have to do them from boot-up because they invariably fail,
    Creation or restoration?

    If the former, more likely fixable than the latter.

    System Restore is a valuable complement to the routine use of 3rd party disk imaging- both do different things with different consequences. When SR works- it's great- but it can fail arbitrarily when restoring for a period- typically until the next major upgrade for example.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Further response to dalchina


    A mixture of both, e.g., creating a backup point when suggested by software, typically driver installations, or when I make what I feel is a significant change that could lead to further problems. I can't recall the specific error messages I receive, but they're along the lines of Microsoft being unable to complete due to something (obscure) running in the background, hence me needing to do them from boot-up, instead. On testing their reliability, even attempting a system restore very soon after making an otherwise seemingly inconsequential change will normally fail, so I've come to accept it as 'one of those things'.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 42,984
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    I've had one period when SR was failing - which started a l-o-n-g thread! - then it recovered. I only occasionally need it- but comments show many have found it to be not too robust.
      My Computers


 

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