BackgroundMute
Automatically mute programs when minimized and unmute them when opened again.
Install
winget install BackgroundMute
Or download from releases.
Usage
Run the application. Select which applications to control. It automatically mutes audio from background processes while preserving sound from the active window.
User Requirements
Windows 10 or later.
Dev Requirements
Windows 10 or later
.NET SDK 10.0+
Inno Setup 6 (for installer builds)
Windows SDK (optional; for MSIX builds - the build script downloads the tools if it is missing)
Install Inno Setup:
winget install --id JRSoftware.InnoSetup -e --accept-source-agreements --accept-package-agreements
Build Installer
From the repository root:
.\scripts\build-installer.ps1 -Version 1.0.0
This script:
-
Publishes a self-contained single-file app.
-
Builds an Inno Setup installer.
-
Prints the installer SHA256 hash.
Installer output:
.\dist\BackgroundMute-Setup-1.0.0.exe
Build MSIX (Microsoft Store)
From the repository root:
.\scripts\build-msix.ps1 -Version 1.1.0
This script:
-
Publishes the self-contained app.
-
Stages installer\AppxManifest.xml (version substituted), installer\Assets\, and the exe.
-
Builds resources.pri and packs the package with makepri/makeappx.
Package output:
.\dist\BackgroundMute_1.1.0.0_x64.msix
Notes:
-
makeappx/makepri come from an installed Windows SDK, or are downloaded from the
Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools NuGet package into .tools\ (gitignored) when no SDK is present.
-
MSIX identity versions are four-part, so -Version 1.1.0 produces 1.1.0.0. It must be strictly
higher than the last submitted package.
-
Name and Publisher in installer\AppxManifest.xml must stay byte-identical to the previously
accepted package or Partner Center rejects the upload. Only bump the version.
-
The logo assets in installer\Assets\ and BackgroundMute.ico are generated from the
512x512 zipper-mouth-face_1f910.png source. Always regenerate from that file: the icon and the
tile assets must carry the full-color artwork, not a palette-reduced copy of it.
-
The package is unsigned; Partner Center signs Store submissions. To install it locally for testing,
sign it with a self-signed certificate trusted in LocalMachine\TrustedPeople first.
Manual Publish (Optional)
dotnet publish .\BackgroundMute.csproj -c Release
Published app output:
.\bin\Release\net10.0-windows\win-x64\publish\BackgroundMute.exe
Microsoft Store Checklist
-
Build the MSIX with the version you are releasing.
-
Partner Center -> Apps and games -> BackgroundMute -> Update.
-
Packages: remove the previous .msix, upload the new one.
-
Store listings -> What's new in this version.
-
Submit to the Store.
Release And Winget Checklist
-
Build installer with the version you are releasing.
-
Create GitHub release tag vX.Y.Z.
-
Upload BackgroundMute-Setup-X.Y.Z.exe to the release assets.
-
Update manifests/BackgroundMute.yaml:
-
PackageVersion
-
InstallerUrl
-
InstallerSha256
-
ReleaseNotesUrl
- Validate manifest:
winget validate .\manifests\BackgroundMute.yaml
- Submit manifest to
microsoft/winget-pkgs.
License
MIT