Audio settings exclusive mode

[Italiangen2022]

I am still unclear when or if I should enable Exclusive mode while on Zoom. 

My setup is W11, simple USB audio mixer for mics and standalone speaker output, webinars using screen sharing, YT video via G-browser, and mp4 files.  What does Zoom recommend?  I've read a few posts and MS definitions but is still unclear.

Thanks for your help.

IGG

[Ray_Harwood · Accepted solution]

Hi, @Italiangen2022.

This is more of a Windows question than a Zoom one, but I do see where you'd be concerned with Zoom usage of mics or speakers regarding this setting.

I rarely enable the Exclusive mode of any sound devices.  I don't want any one application to take full control over a mic or a speaker, as I'm frequently using a mixer (like Voicemeeter or the audio functions within vMix) or wanting to use audio from one device to go into multiple other inputs.  So unless a manufacturer or software package says "always use Exclusive mode or this won't work", I leave it disabled.