1. Understanding the Sound Configuration in Windows Server 2022

Windows Server 2022, like most server operating systems, disables audio features by default. This default setting conserves system resources for services critical to server operation. However, if you need sound, such as for applications requiring audio feedback or testing, you can enable it manually.

2. Checking for the Audio Service

The first step is to ensure that the Windows Audio Service is enabled:

• Open Services:
  • Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type services.msc and press Enter.
• Locate Windows Audio Service:
  • Scroll down to find “Windows Audio” in the list of services.
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• Start the Service:
  • Right-click on “Windows Audio” and select Start if it is stopped. You can also set it to Automatic to start each time the server boots.
• Repeat the process for Windows Audio Endpoint Builder, which is essential for sound processing in Windows.

3. Installing the Audio Feature

If the sound settings are still unavailable, you might need to install the Desktop Experience feature:

• Open Server Manager:
  • Go to Server Manager and select Add roles and features.
• Select Desktop Experience:
  • Proceed through the wizard, and in the Features section, check Desktop Experience.
• Restart Required:
  • After installation, the server will prompt a restart. Complete the restart to apply changes.

4. Configuring the Audio Device

Once the audio services are active, configure the audio output device:

• Access Sound Settings:
  • Right-click on the Speaker icon in the taskbar or go to Settings > System > Sound.
• Select Playback Device:
  • Under Output, ensure the correct playback device is selected, especially if using a virtual server environment that requires specific virtual audio drivers.

5. Verifying in Remote Desktop (Optional)

If using Remote Desktop, additional configuration might be required:

• When connecting via Remote Desktop, click Show Options > Local Resources.
• Under Remote Audio, click Settings, and choose Play on this computer to route the server’s audio to your local device.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Check Drivers: Verify that the sound drivers are up to date, especially if using virtual machine environments where audio devices can be more complex.
• Group Policy Adjustments: In some cases, Group Policies may disable audio on a server. Check gpedit.msc > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host for any audio policies.

By following these steps, you can enable sound on your Windows Server 2022 for a range of use cases, from testing to application deployment that requires audio feedback.