Windows Sound System (WSS) is a sound card specification developed by Microsoft released at the end of 1992 for Windows 3.1. Tech support scams are an industry-wide issue where scammers trick you into paying for unnecessary technical support services. You can help protect yourself from scammers by verifying that the contact is a Microsoft Agent or Microsoft Employee and that the phone number is an official Microsoft global customer service number. You generally want a sound card with signal-to-noise ratio over 100dB, but the best sound cards are in the 124dB range, which is a significant improvement. Channels - A lot of decent, budget-friendly sound cards typically support 5.1 channel audio, but you can spend a little more to get one that can handle 7.1 surround sound. The sound card in your computer is responsible for controlling and processing the input and output of all audio on your machine. If you’re having problems with audio on your computer, or have recently installed a new sound card, you can verify that the sound card is being detected by Windows. Since Windows 10 was released 3 and 1/2 years ago, many of the sound card manufacturers provide this Windows version drivers. The reason to update sound card driver to the latest ones, is to avoid any conflict with OS or firmware upgrade of your BIOS or any new updates of Windows 10.

• Microsoft Sound Cards & Media Devices Driver
• Microsoft Sound Cards & Media Devices Drivers

There are many ways to determine which type of sound card is utilized by your computer. The following sections show several methods that should yield similar results with varying levels of information and detail.

Manufactured computers

For those of you who have an OEM machine, (e.g., Dell, HP, Sony, Apple, etc.) visit the manufacturer's site and search for your computer's model number. Specifications for your computer model are usually available and you can review them to determine which sound card is installed in your computer.

Using the Windows Key shortcut

1. Press the Windows key+Pause key.
2. In the window that appears, select Device Manager.
3. Click the Arrow next to Sound, video and game controllers.
4. Your sound card is in the list that appears.

Through the search box

Microsoft Windows users can determine their sound card by following the steps below.

1. Click Start in the lower-left corner of your screen, or navigate to the Start Screen in Windows 8. Windows 10 users can skip to step 2.
2. Locate the Search box in the lower-left corner of the window that appears. Windows 8 users can type on the Start Screen. Windows 10 users can use the Search box on the taskbar, next to Start.
3. Type dxdiag and press Enter.
4. Your sound card is listed under one (usually the last) of the sound tabs at the top of the window.

Other methods for determining the sound card type

Looking at the sound card

Microsoft Sound Cards & Media Devices Driver

Another method of determining the sound card manufacturer or model is by opening your computer case and physically examining the sound card. Commonly, the sound card manufacturer's name and model number is printed on the card itself. If the information you need is not printed on the card, you may use an FCC identification number to search its specifications.

Alternative search method

In the Windows Search Box, type System Information and press Enter. Click the + next to Components, then Sound Device.

Additional information

Microsoft Sound Cards & Media Devices Drivers

• Computer sound drivers.
• See our sound card definition for further information and related links.
• Computer sound card buying tips.