Have you ever noticed multiple sound devices showing up in your Windows 11 settings — speakers, headphones, HDMI audio, virtual drivers, or even old devices you no longer use? While harmless, these extra entries can clutter your sound settings and cause confusion when switching between devices.
The good news is that you can remove, disable, or hide unwanted sound devices in Windows 11 quickly. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know — from understanding audio device management to step-by-step instructions for removing unused drivers.
Whether you’re troubleshooting sound issues or just cleaning up your PC, this article will walk you through the process.
📝 Quick Summary (Key Takeaways)
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Windows 11 may list multiple sound devices, including inactive or virtual ones.
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You can remove them through Settings, Device Manager, Control Panel, or Registry Editor.
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Disabling or uninstalling unwanted devices helps avoid confusion when selecting playback or recording options.
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Use caution when uninstalling drivers — some are needed for system functionality.
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Virtual devices (like Voicemeeter or VB-Audio) may require software uninstallation.
Why Remove Sound Devices in Windows 11?
Too many sound devices can cause problems like:
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Wrong device selected for playback.
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Audio not working in certain apps.
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Duplicate or virtual drivers slowing down your system.
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HDMI or Bluetooth devices staying in the list even when not in use.
By removing them, you simplify audio management and reduce troubleshooting headaches.
Types of Sound Devices You Might See
Windows 11 often shows:
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Physical devices → Speakers, headphones, HDMI monitors.
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Bluetooth devices → Earbuds, wireless speakers.
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Virtual audio devices → Installed by apps like Voicemeeter, OBS, Zoom, or Discord.
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Hidden/disabled devices → Old drivers from previously connected hardware.
How to View All Sound Devices in Windows 11
Before removing them, let’s see everything that’s installed.
Method 1: Using Windows Settings
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Press Win + I to open Settings.
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Navigate to System > Sound.
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Under Output or Input, click Manage sound devices.
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Here you’ll see active and inactive devices.
Method 2: Using Device Manager
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Press Win + X and choose Device Manager.
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Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
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You’ll see all installed audio drivers.
Step-by-Step: How to Remove Sound Devices from Windows 11
Here are the most effective methods:
1. Disable a Sound Device via Settings
If you don’t want to uninstall, simply disable it.
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Open Settings > System > Sound.
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Select Manage sound devices.
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Click on the device you want to disable.
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Hit Disable.
👉 Best for devices you might use again later.
2. Remove Audio Devices from Device Manager
For a permanent solution:
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Press Win + X → Device Manager.
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Expand Audio inputs and outputs.
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Right-click the unwanted device → Uninstall device.
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Confirm and restart your PC.
⚠️ Note: Windows may reinstall the driver on reboot if still connected.
3. Remove Virtual Audio Drivers
Apps like Voicemeeter or OBS install virtual drivers. To remove:
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Open Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program.
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Find the related app (e.g., Voicemeeter).
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Uninstall it completely.
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Restart your PC.
4. Hide Devices Using Control Panel
Instead of deleting, you can hide devices:
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Right-click the speaker icon in taskbar → Sound settings.
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Go to Playback/Recording tab.
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Right-click an unused device → Disable.
5. Use Registry Editor (Advanced Users)
For stubborn devices:
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Press Win + R, type
regedit, and press Enter. -
Navigate to:
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Find the unwanted device entry.
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Right-click → Delete.
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Restart your system.
⚠️ Be careful! Deleting the wrong registry entry can break sound.
6. Remove Bluetooth Sound Devices
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Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
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Find the paired device (headset, earbuds).
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Click Remove device.
Comparison of Methods
| Method | Permanent? | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disable via Settings | No | Easy | Temporary cleanup |
| Device Manager | Yes | Moderate | Old/duplicate devices |
| Uninstall software | Yes | Easy | Virtual drivers |
| Control Panel disable | No | Easy | Quick hiding |
| Registry Editor | Yes | Advanced | Stubborn entries |
| Remove Bluetooth | Yes | Easy | Wireless devices |
Troubleshooting Issues After Removing Devices
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No sound at all? → Reinstall your default driver from Device Manager.
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Driver keeps reinstalling? → Disable automatic driver updates.
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App crashes after removal? → Reinstall or repair the app that needs the driver.
Best Practices for Managing Sound Devices
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Always keep your default device enabled.
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Avoid deleting system audio drivers like Realtek or Intel Audio.
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Remove only unused or duplicate devices.
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For gaming/streaming PCs, disable extra virtual drivers to reduce conflicts.
Conclusion
Removing sound devices in Windows 11 helps simplify your audio setup, prevents errors, and ensures you’re always using the right output. Whether it’s through Settings, Device Manager, Control Panel, or Registry Editor, you now have several methods to clean up unused devices.
Just remember: disable if you’re unsure, uninstall only when confident. That way, you’ll keep your PC running smoothly without losing critical audio functionality.
FAQs About Removing Sound Devices in Windows 11
1. Can I completely delete Realtek audio drivers?
You can uninstall them, but Windows may reinstall them on restart. It’s better to update or disable them if not needed.
2. What happens if I disable all sound devices?
You’ll lose audio output/input. Always leave at least one active device.
3. Why do old headphones still show up in my list?
Their drivers remain installed. Removing them from Device Manager clears them.
4. How do I stop Windows 11 from reinstalling removed devices?
Disable automatic driver updates in Windows Update settings.
5. Are virtual audio drivers safe to remove?
Yes — if you don’t use the related software anymore, removing them is recommended.