Microsoft is introducing a feature called “Shared Audio” into Windows 11, allowing one PC to stream audio simultaneously to two Bluetooth-enabled headphones, earbuds, speakers or hearing-aids. The capability is part of an Insider Preview build (Dev & Beta channels) and relies on the newer Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio standard to keep the data stream efficient and in sync across devices.
The feature works like this: if your PC supports Bluetooth LE Audio and you have two compatible devices paired, you’ll see a new “Shared Audio (preview)” tile in the Quick Settings menu. Once you hit it, the PC sends the same audio stream to both connected devices. The aim: watch a movie with a friend using your own pair of wireless earphones, share music with someone else in the room, or even let someone listen via a hearing-aid while you use regular headphones.
Currently, the rollout is limited. Only select “Copilot+ PCs” (Microsoft’s higher-end hardware category) list support today—such as certain Surface Laptop and Surface Pro models with specific Qualcomm Snapdragon X chips. More PCs are expected to gain compatibility in the coming weeks. Similarly, your audio devices must explicitly support Bluetooth LE Audio: examples include modern gear like certain Samsung Galaxy Buds or Sony WH-1000XM models.
In addition to convenience, the move signals Microsoft’s push toward newer standards: Bluetooth LE Audio enables lower latency, better power efficiency, and multi-stream capabilities that weren’t practical with older Bluetooth standards. For users, this means fewer wires, simpler sharing and more fluid social or multi-listener experiences. For Microsoft, it shows Windows evolving from a single-user platform to one built for collaborative and shared set-ups—whether in the living room, office or mobile environment.
That said, it’s still early. Because the feature is in preview and hardware-restricted, many users may not see it right away. Also, streaming high-quality audio to two devices at once could still face challenges: different devices may introduce subtle latency or volume differences, and driver/firmware support will matter a lot. But if it meets its potential, Shared Audio may solve one of those everyday headaches—how to let two people listen from one PC without using a tangled splitter or clunky workaround.
