Microsoft continues refining the Windows 11 experience, and one of the latest hidden features spotted in the Dev and Beta builds is called “Shared Audio.” This long-awaited function allows users to play sound through multiple output devices at the same time—like speakers and headphones—without needing third-party software or complex setup.
What is “Shared Audio” in Windows 11?
The feature appears as a Quick Setting in the Sound Control Center, although it’s currently hidden and only accessible in preview builds. Once activated, it routes audio to multiple outputs simultaneously. Until now, achieving this required advanced workarounds or external tools—and could sometimes even crash or reset the system.
Twitter user @PhantomOfEarth shared a sneak peek of the setting on July 19, 2025, noting that it’s present in the most recent Dev/Beta builds. While it hasn’t been officially rolled out to the general public, there’s hope it will be available to all users in a future update.
“Windows 11 is getting a ‘Shared Audio’ Quick Setting to let you easily play audio through multiple output devices!” — @Phantomofearth
Why It Matters
This update is especially valuable for:
- Workspaces where multiple people need to hear the same output
- Presentations, where sound is shared between a speaker system and a personal device
- Streamers and content creators, who often need to monitor their audio while also broadcasting it live
It’s a small but powerful change that solves a long-standing limitation in Windows audio management.
The Windows community has welcomed the news, with many users commenting that this feature should’ve existed as far back as Windows Vista. Others point out that OEMs and some sound card manufacturers have offered similar solutions using virtual audio routing.
Windows 11: Closing the Gaps
This feature is another step in Microsoft’s broader effort to modernize Windows 11 and close long-standing gaps in user experience. In a tech landscape increasingly dominated by ChromeOS, Android, and iOS, Microsoft is under pressure to evolve. With tablets and mobile platforms replacing many traditional PCs, Windows must continue to innovate to stay relevant.
“Shared Audio” might seem like a small change—but for many users, it’s a long-overdue quality-of-life improvement.
