How to Install the Volume Control Program to Your Windows XP Desktop

In Windows XP, the volume control program can be found in the notification area, which is the area normally located in the bottom right corner of the desktop next to the time and date. Sometimes, the volume control program can disappear as a result of your computer's settings being changed, or due to certain Windows updates from Microsoft. Use the steps outlined in this article to either display or install the volume control program to your Windows XP desktop.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
Display the Volume Control Program on the Desktop

  1. Image titled Install the Volume Control Program to Your Windows XP Desktop Step 1
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    Click on the "Start" menu on your Windows XP desktop.
  2. Image titled Install the Volume Control Program to Your Windows XP Desktop Step 2
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    Click on "Sounds and Audio Devices."
    • Some versions of Windows XP may first require you to click on "Sounds," then "Speech," then "Audio Devices" before clicking on "Sounds and Audio Devices."
  3. Image titled Install the Volume Control Program to Your Windows XP Desktop Step 3
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    Place a checkmark next to "Show volume control on the taskbar."
  4. Image titled Install the Volume Control Program to Your Windows XP Desktop Step 4
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    Click "OK." The volume control program will then show up within the notification tray on your Windows XP desktop.

Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
Install the Volume Control Program on the Desktop

  1. Image titled Install the Volume Control Program to Your Windows XP Desktop Step 5
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    Insert your Windows XP installation CD into your computer's disc drive.
    • Press and hold the "Shift" key while inserting the installation disc to prevent it from starting up automatically.
  2. Image titled Install the Volume Control Program to Your Windows XP Desktop Step 6
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    Click on the "Start" button and select "Run."
  3. Image titled Install the Volume Control Program to Your Windows XP Desktop Step 7
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    Type "cmd" into the "Open" box, then click "OK." The command prompt window will display.
  4. Image titled Install the Volume Control Program to Your Windows XP Desktop Step 8
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    Type the letter of the drive you inserted the installation disc into, followed by a colon. For example, if you inserted the disc into your "E" drive, type "E:"
  5. Image titled Install the Volume Control Program to Your Windows XP Desktop Step 9
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    Press "Enter" to execute the command.
  6. Image titled Install the Volume Control Program to Your Windows XP Desktop Step 10
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    Type "cd i386" and press "Enter."
  7. Image titled Install the Volume Control Program to Your Windows XP Desktop Step 11
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    Type "expand sndvol32.ex_ %systemroot%\system32\sndvol32.exe" and press "Enter."
    • If you store your Windows system files at "C:\Windows," then type "expand sndvol32.ex_ c:\windows\system32\sndvol32.exe" instead.
  8. Image titled Install the Volume Control Program to Your Windows XP Desktop Step 12
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    Type "exit," then press "Enter." This command will close out the command prompt window.
  9. Image titled Install the Volume Control Program to Your Windows XP Desktop Step 13
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    The volume control program will now display in the notification tray of your Windows XP desktop.

Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I turn up the volume on Windows XP?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Press the volume up button on your keyboard or just click the speaker icon in the bottom right of your screen.

Things You'll Need

  • Windows XP installation CD

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References

  1. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279435
  2. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319095
  3. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/no-sound-help#no-sound=windows-xp&v1h=win8tab1&v2h=win7tab1&v3h=winvistatab1&v4h=winxptab2

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 74,724 times.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: March 29, 2019
Views: 74,724
Categories: XP Instructions