"System-Level Auditory Safety for Windows"
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Volume Protector is a standalone Windows utility that monitors audio output levels across all active render endpoints. It enforces a user-defined hard cap on system volume scalars to protect against sudden audio spikes caused by driver malfunctions or software requests.
This utility is designed to assist in compliance with international noise exposure recommendations:
| Organization | Region | Target Limit (8h) | Reference Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| WHO | Global | 80 dB | Recreational Safety |
| EU-OSHA | Europe | 80 dB | Workplace Safety 1 |
| NIOSH (CDC) | USA | 85 dB | Recommended Exposure |
| MHLW | Japan | 85 dB | Industrial Health |
| HSE | UK | 85 dB | Exposure Action Value |
- 📍 Real-Time Device Monitoring: Utilizes a 100ms polling cycle to query master volume scalars via the Windows Core Audio API.
- 🛡️ Endpoint Enforcement: Automatically resets volume if it exceeds the defined device-specific maximum.
- 🖥️ Independent Configuration: Per-device limit storage allows separate thresholds for headphones, speakers, and external hardware.
- 🔄 Mute Synchronization: Maintains parity between application state and hardware mute status.
- 💾 Discrete State Storage: Saves all user-defined parameters locally in
VolumeProtectorSettings.txt.
| Parameter | Live Specification | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Binary Size | ~30 KB | Compiled standalone binary |
| Framework | .NET Framework 4.0 | Native Windows integration |
| Architecture | x64 / x86 | Portable execution |
| Dependencies | None | Zero-installer deployment |
- Enumeration: The application discovers all
eRenderrole devices on startup. - Tracking: Maintains active hooks on
MMDevicemaster volume control. - Validation: Compares real-time values against local limit persistence.
- Correction: Forces scalar normalization if threshold breach occur.
Build the binary from source using the native Windows compiler:
# 1. Compile using the native .NET compiler
& "C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\csc.exe" /target:winexe /win32icon:assets/icon.ico /out:"VolumeProtector.exe" "src/VolumeProtector.cs"
# 2. Execute
.\VolumeProtector.exe| Reference | Description | Access |
|---|---|---|
| License | Usage Terms | View |
| Security | Privacy Protocols | View |
| Roadmap | Project Future | View |
| Conduct | Standards | View |
| Changelog | History | View |
Released under Personal Use Only (Non-Commercial) terms. See md/LICENSE.md for full permissions.