System mute in W7?

Hope this question is simple! I need to have or make a keyboard shortcut to mute all sounds from the system quickly, as in when I have to pick up the phone. I know F7 works if I'm in Windows Media Player, but I'm usually working in another program and it's time consuming to click over to WMP running over on another monitor to mute. I can use the Volume Control, but again that's a matter of locating it on the hidden toolbar with the mouse, click, click.

I tried a macro with Macro Express, but the Toggle Audio Mute command there doesn't seem to do anything in W7.

Enlightenment and/or suggestions would be appreciated. BTW, sound is from motherboard, VIA VT1708S, latest (7300) drivers. Sounds great!

Here is a perfect solution for you.


Create a Shortcut or Hotkey to Mute the System Volume in Windows :: the How-To Geek

Please let me know if you like this as much as I do.

As shown in screenshot, I am using F1 key to mute and un-mute audio perfectly. I can also use mouse to click on the shortcut to activate/deactivate, same as using F1.

Thanks! I had forgotten about nircmd, and I'm glad to know it works in W7. Problem solved!