- Finding Song Information While Adjusting Volume in Windows 11
- Why Did Microsoft Remove the Song Overlay in Windows 11?
- Display Track Details Via the Spotify Overlay
- Install a Third-Party Volume Mod for OSD Info
- Provide Feedback to Microsoft on the Windows Feedback Hub
- Use Third-Party Hotkeys to Quickly View Track Info
- Summary
- References
Finding Song Information While Adjusting Volume in Windows 11
We all love listening to our favorite tunes while gaming or working on our Windows PCs. However, Windows 11 removed the handy song title overlay that appeared when adjusting volume. This useful feature allowed seeing vital track details without interrupting gameplay or productivity.
Fortunately, solutions exist to reveal song information again. Let’s examine proven techniques to display music details when tweaking volume in Windows 11.
Why Did Microsoft Remove the Song Overlay in Windows 11?
Veteran Windows users sorely miss the song title pop-up from Windows 10 and earlier versions. Microsoft completely eliminated this useful overlay in Windows 11.
Instead, the volume slider merely indicates volume level adjustments numerically. No data about the currently playing track appears anymore.
Microsoft likely removed the song overlay to streamline and modernize the look and feel of Windows 11. The new OS debuted a cleaned-up, minimalist aesthetic. The detailed song pop-up seemingly clashed with this pared-down interface direction.
While understandable from a design perspective, this change inconvenienced many users. Thankfully, accessible workarounds exist to restore song info when adjusting volume.
Display Track Details Via the Spotify Overlay
If you play music through the Spotify app, you can view real-time song information using the Spotify in-game overlay:
- Launch your game in Windows 11 as normal.
- Press the Windows key + G to open the game bar.
- Click the Spotify icon. This launches the Spotify overlay.
- Use overlay playback controls to play, pause, skip tracks, etc. The current song title and artist will display.
This overlay method provides full track details without blocking gameplay visuals. The only caveat is that it works exclusively with Spotify music.
If the overlay fails to launch, ensure the in-game setting is enabled in the main Spotify app settings. Some games like Valorant also block overlays, preventing this approach from working.
Install a Third-Party Volume Mod for OSD Info
For system-wide song info with any music player, install a third-party volume mod. These tools replace the stock Windows volume slider with a customizable one:
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ModernFlyouts– This excellent free mod brings back the classic volume overlay with current music details. Find it in the Microsoft Store.
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Eartrumpet– Another top option that displays track information during volume adjustments. Offers expanded audio controls and customization options.
These mods integrate seamlessly with Windows 11, enabling song display in real-time when adjusting volume. Note that apps like ModernFlyouts require enabling potentially insecure overlays under Privacy & Security settings.
Provide Feedback to Microsoft on the Windows Feedback Hub
Since Microsoft removes features based on user data, it helps to directly share feedback about missing functionality. The Windows Feedback Hub provides a way to voice desired improvements.
To request the return of the song overlay, follow these steps:
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Open Feedback Hub from the Start Menu.
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Click +Add new feedback.
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Choose the appropriate category like Desktop Environment.
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Give descriptive feedback titled "Please return the volume song overlay".
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Upvote other user feedback about this issue.
The more feedback Microsoft receives, the more likely the company will reconsider restored this handy feature.
Use Third-Party Hotkeys to Quickly View Track Info
If the above solutions prove unsatisfactory, consider utilizing third-party hotkeys to momentarily display song info:
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AutoHotKey– Create custom hotkeys to launch snippets of code, like an on-screen display of the active track title and artist.
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DeskPin– Pin windows containing your media player to quickly check song info.
These tools require more set-up but offer another option for viewing music details on demand.
Summary
The loss of the practical song overlay leaves Windows 11 users frustrated. Thankfully, viable techniques like the Spotify overlay, volume mods, and AutoHotKey exist to rediscover this vital functionality.
We encourage providing feedback to Microsoft as well. With collective user input, the company may reconsider restoring the pop-up natively.
What solutions have you found to view song info when adjusting volume in Windows 11? Share your insights and advice in the comments below! Let’s continue collaborating to enhance the Windows experience.
