This happens to me all the time–I turn the volume on my computer way up to listen to something. Later, someone instant messages me, and the ringing instant message sound is so loud my neighbors can hear it.

Some apps, like Windows Media Player, include their own volume control–but most don’t. Fortunately, Windows Vista makes up for this shortcoming. To adjust volume for individual applications, follow these steps:

1. Click the Volume icon on your taskbar, and then click Mixer.

2. The Volume Mixer appears, as shown at the top of this page.

The Device volume on the far-left controls the overall volume, just like Volume did in earlier versions of Windows.

The cool part is the Applications list. Here, you’ll see your open applications. On the far left of this list is Windows Sounds, which controls things like the Windows startup sound and various error and notification sounds. Just drag an application’s volume slider where you want it (dragging it higher than the Device volume will automatically raise the device volume, but other applications will be relatively quieter).

Scroll right to see more applications.