How to make my application be considered as a communication program in Windows

Question

I'm making a program that uses the Speech library and I'd like to get all other sounds muted or reduced when the lady is talking.

I've been looking for a way to mute other applications manually, but I've seen an option in Windows in the communication tab (inside the sound options) that mentions that window can manage this for me. Like in this picture:

So basically, what does it take for my application to be considered as a communication application (such as Skype)?

Answer 1

I believe the communication apps are implementing something related to the IAudioVolumeDuckNotification interface. The C++ example provided also references WM_VOLUME_DUCK and WM_VOLUME_UNDUCK windows messages which may be enough (but don't appear to be google-able or documented).

UPDATE

The .NET Core Audio API project on CodePlex appears to provide a .NET wrapper.

UPDATE

A sample C++ implementation of IAudioVolumeDuckNotification as well as an example of notifying the ducked state can be found in the MSDN DuckingMediaPlayer sample application. It actually works (I tried it). A combination of PInvoke'ing a couple methods and the .NET wrapper for the interface should be enough to get you on your way.