This then leaves two other options:

1. 1)  Mess with the registry, which most people will be unwilling to do or can’t due to admin settings. There is also a chance that these settings to revert back with a new update.
2. 2)  The simpler work around then, is to open an instance of VLC, Windows Media Player or another audio app and play a short clip of “silence” in loop mode.
   You can then minimize the player and continue with your work, without any “pops” making their way to your speakers or headphones.

BTW, a similar trick also works for some Macbooks that insist on switching the sound card off after a certain time of it being idle.
With Mac though, you don’t even need to play some “silence”.
Simply opening QuickTime Player and then minimizing it, has the same effect.

It may also work with iTunes but I have not tested it as I don’t use iTunes.

With both Windows and Mac, this trick works, as the audio player keeps the sound card active and thus it cannot power down.
If you are using a DAW, you may be lucky and it will do the same thing, however, not all do. Now at least, you can use this as a work around.