The notification icon for sound has been changed in Windows Vista to a silhouette instead of a 3D speaker icon that renders into something that looks much like a yin and yang symbol. Other changes were implemented as well. The information balloon provides much more information than simply "volume" as does the one for Windows XP. This balloon appears when you hold the mouse pointer on the speaker icon in the notification area.
Right clicking the speaker icon produces the menu pictured to the left. This menu contains two more choices than the corresponding menu in Windows XP. The bottom three items provide access to specific areas of the control panel and will be discussed later.
The volume mixer control has been redesigned in function as well as appearance. When you move the slider control in the Speakers section the slider in the Applications section moves along with it. Increase the volume with the Applications slider and the Speakers slider moves an equal amount. Decreasing the volume with the Applications slider has no affect on the Speakers slider. The familiar mute check box has been replaced by a button. The button in the Applications section of the screen shot has been clicked to illustrate the behavior of this button. This view has been severely cropped to save space, however, the Applications section expands to include controls for applications as they are opened. these controls exhibit similar behavior. It should be mentioned that this control provides for the adjustment of system sounds allowing you to listen to a music CD or a movie while performing other tasks without interference from bells and whistles included with most programs.
Single left click or double left click the speaker icon and the volume control shown here appears. A main volume slider control, mute button and a link to the volume mixer.
The problem that instigated the original article, the removal and return of the sound icon to the notification area has also been the focus of major change. The check box needed has been moved from the Sound and Audio Device Properties, accessed via the control panel, to the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog. This properties menu can be accessed by a single right click on an unoccupied area of the task bar and then left click the Properties item on the resulting context menu. With the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties screen open, left click the tab at the top labeled Notification Area. In the accompanying illustration you will find this tab circled as is the check box needed to switch the speaker icon on or off.
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