Windows 7 - Stereo Mix and Windows 7

Having come from a WinXP OS to a Windows 7 environment, I'm somewhat perplexed with the Stereo Mix option that appears to be missing from the Recording option in Sound Properties. I can't seem to find appropriate drivers to make it happen either.

There are no hidden devices available. The only options appear to be: Microphone Array and Line In. Show disabled and disconnected devices are both checked.

I'll attach my system specs to this post in hopes someone can direct me to either appropriate drivers for SoundMax Integrated Digital HD Audio drivers that will reopen the Stereo Mix option or off an alternative solution.

OK, first, if you haven't done this already, right-click on the speaker icon in your system tray and select "recording devices". Right click inside the window that opens, and check to see if "Show disabled devices" and "Show disconnected devices" are checked. If they aren't, check them. If this causes Stereo Mix to show up, right click on it and select Enable.

You should have Stereo Mix working again at this point. If not, post back.

Apologies, I should have listed that in my earlier post. I have checked both the Disabled and Disconnected devices. Stereo Mix still does not appear.

Ah, ok...I didn't see the edit. Let me look around and see what I can find out.

I am looking forward to some assistance with the same issue. The Stereo Mix option is not there under disabled devices on my Lenovo T410 w Windows 7 Professional.

There are some that do not have that option. I do a lot of audio support on the Dell users forum and there are many Dell models with SigmaTel/IDT and RealTek without the System Mixer. There are even some Dell OEM model SoundBlaster sound cards that do not have it (SoundBlaster calls it "What You Hear").

One issue, especially with older hardware that was originally designed for XP is that Vista/Windows 7 handles audio functions differently than XP. That is why XP specific sound drivers will not work. Some Vista drivers that were reissued did not account for all the differences and the System Mixer was not included in those drivers.

I have an Acer laptop with RealTek and it DOES NOT have the System Mixer option. I have a Dell Dimension E510 with Vista and the SigmaTel Integrated audio in this system DOES NOT have the System Mixer. I have a home built desktop with an Intel motherboard and the current IDT driver does have the System Mixer function, although I'm using a SoundBlaster Xfi sound card and the IDT is disabled.

I've looked around and found pretty much nothing. If you have updated drivers, and it's still not there, odds are that it's not included.

Fireberd mentioned the differences coming from XP to Vista and 7. Unfortunately, you may be a victim of the change.

Would there be any type of external device (such as an external soundcard) that would allow me such an option?

I think most newer Creative cards support it. Not sure though, haven't used a sound card in a while.

Thanks for looking into it and getting back to us black rose