Windows 8 - Media Player disable fade music when in background

Solution 1:

Here's a Technet thread which has some solutions for the same problem.

Do check out if it helps.

One of the proposed answers contains the solution to this problem:

I had this problem with Steam and something else in Windows 7. Moral of the story is as follows

1. Windows key + x

2. control panel

3. Hardware and sound

4. Sound

5. Communications

6. Do Nothing

7. Apply or OK

8. Victory Achieved

Seems the communications stuff in Steam triggers windows communications fade, which defaults to 80% (sounds about right). Following the instructions above allows you to keep steam running and avoid the audio fade problem.

Link: Technet

Solution 2:

I've been experiencing the same issue; occurs only after I wake the computer from sleep and the solution has been to terminate Steam. Audio immediately returns to normal levels.

Solution 3:

I think I finally have all the pieces together.

1) Steam by default has a setting which automatically detects when you speak and transmits your voice (To disable it: Go to Steam > Settings > Voice tab and select "Use a push-to-talk key to transmit voice". and then restart Steam)

2) Windows by default lowers volume of non-communication sound by 50% when it detects communication activity (see JKarthik answer how to change this behavior)

3) Metro apps completely ignore this setting when they are at the foreground as they're considered "immersive", but once they're in the background, they are no longer considered "immersive"...

Every one of these setting sounds reasonable by itself, but together they actually create quite a disastrous user experience...