Managing playback devices in Windows is essential for ensuring that audio output is directed to the correct device, whether it's speakers, headphones, or an external audio interface. Windows provides several methods to manage these devices, including through the graphical user interface (GUI) and via command-line tools.

Examples:

1. Using the Windows GUI:

   • Access Sound Settings:

     1. Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray (bottom right corner of the screen).
     2. Select "Sounds" or "Open Sound settings."
     3. Navigate to the "Playback" tab to see a list of all available playback devices.

   • Set Default Playback Device:

     1. In the "Playback" tab, right-click on the desired device.
     2. Select "Set as Default Device."

2. Using Command Prompt (CMD):

   While the command line in Windows doesn't directly manage playback devices, you can use PowerShell scripts or third-party command-line tools to achieve similar results.

   • Example with PowerShell: You can use PowerShell to list audio devices and set the default playback device using a script. Here's a simple example:

     # List all audio devices
     Get-AudioDevice -List
     
     # Set default playback device by name
     Set-AudioDevice -Name "Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)"

   Note: The Get-AudioDevice and Set-AudioDevice commands require additional modules or scripts, such as those provided by the AudioDeviceCmdlets module, which can be installed via PowerShell Gallery.

3. Using Third-Party Tools:

   • NirCmd: NirCmd is a command-line utility that can manage various system settings, including audio devices.

     • Example Command:

       nircmd setdefaultsounddevice "Speakers"

     This command sets "Speakers" as the default playback device. NirCmd must be downloaded and placed in a directory included in your system's PATH variable.