Setting a key to mute audio 🔇(moderate skill)

First, install Microsoft PowerToys (Preview) via Github:

https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/tag/v0.55.2

Scroll down and select the option I marked green here to install.

When launched you may need to double-click the icon in the quick launch area

Click Keyboard Manager in the left pane. Light/dark app theme will depend on Windows settings.

Microsoft PowerToys

Click the icon on the right under Keys

In the dialog click the left (Physical Key:) Type button press the key you want to remap and press Enter. It’s best to choose a key you don’t normally use in applications. For example I used “Pause|Break”.

Alternatively you can use the dropdown and choose the desired key from the list.

Click the dropdown for the Mapped To side and scroll until you see “Volume Mute” and select that. Click OK and you will be warned that remapping the key will cause it to lose its original function. You can click the bin icon to revert the key.

Now the selected key will toggle mute, useful for with-audio adverts for YouTube, Spotify etc.

Thanks to Rodrigo.Queiroz for the assistance in this (Microsoft Answers forum).