WheelsOfVolume

A standard keyboard is only fitted with common buttons and no extra controls. Some are specialized in multimedia, with dedicated buttons for playback and volume, to easily add or cut off some decibels. On ease of access, applications like WheelsOfVolume want to make it easy for you to adjust system volume simply by using the mouse wheel.

Stays hidden until used

For the application to properly work, it needs to to be able to connect to the part of the system responsible for sound delivery. A simple, quick installation process takes care of this task, and you’re asked whether or not to start the application when it’s done.
There’s no main window, so don’t expect anything to pop on your desktop. By default, the application hides in the system tray, but there’s an option that makes sure it only runs as a service, without taking up any visual space at all.
This isn’t an issue, considering the tray icon only provides options to start or stop the service, and decide whether or not you want the application to start along with Windows. As the name suggests, the main function gives you the possibility to control system volume by scrolling.

Only triggered from the desktop

Doing so displays a progress indicator on your desktop, just so you know the level, and if it can be increased even more. Unfortunately, there’s only the default style, with no customization options whatsoever.
What’s more, this function can only be triggered if the desktop is the active space, because using the mouse wheel over any other area has no effect other than the default area function. It would have been useful to see at least an option to set a hotkey so the application can be used regardless of location.

A few last words

To sum it up, WheelsOfVolume is a pretty straightforward desktop enhancement, with a light set of features. Sadly, it’s main function is limited to desktop usage, meaning you always have to make the desktop visible to trigger it, becoming thus more time-consuming than conventional methods in some situations.