Change Windows Startup Sound

Want to change out your boring Windows startup sound? While it was easy to do in Windows XP, Microsoft has made the process much less straightforward in newer versions of Windows. In order to change the sound, you will need to download a special utility. If you are using Windows 8, you will also need to ensure that you shut down the correct way in order to hear the sound when you start your computer next time.

Steps

Windows 8, 7, and Vista Startup Sound

  1. Download the "Startup Sound Changer" program. This is a utility created by Windows enthusiasts, as there is no easy way to change the Windows 8, 7, or Vista startup sound normally. You can download the utility from Winaero.
  2. Extract the utility. Double-click the downloaded ZIP file and drag the StartupSoundChanger.exe file onto your desktop.
  3. Run the utility. You will be shown a small menu of options.
  4. Click "Replace" and browse your computer for a replacement sound. It must be in WAV format.
    • You can restore the original sound by running the utility and clicking "Restore".
  5. Open the Control Panel. You can search for this or find it in the Start menu.
  6. Select "Sounds" and then click the .Sounds tab.
  7. Check the "Play Windows Startup sound" box and click .Apply.
    • Note: You won't be able to hear the startup sound in Windows 8 unless you perform a full shutdown (see next section).

Windows 8 Logon Sound

  1. Understand what has changed in Windows 8. Microsoft made a lot of changes to the underlying Windows architecture in order to boost performance for Windows 8. One of the features that got cut was the sounds that plays when Windows starts up and shuts down. You can re-enable these using the Windows Registry, but thanks to another Windows 8 feature (Fast Boot), you'll only hear them when you perform a full manual shutdown.
    • Note: This method will only change the Logon sound.
  2. Open the Windows Registry Editor. You can do this by pressing the ⊞ Win key and typing regedit.
  3. Use the directory tree on the left to navigate to .HKEY_CURRENT_USER → AppEvents → EventLabels.
  4. Find and open the .WindowsLogon folder.
  5. Double click the .ExcludeFromCPL key.
  6. Change the value from .1 to 0. Click OK.
  7. Repeat this for any other disabled sounds you want to re-enable. This includes WindowsLogoff and SystemExit.
  8. Open the Control Panel. You can search for it or press ⊞ Win+X and select it from the menu.
  9. Select the "Sounds" option and click the .Sounds tab.
  10. Scroll down and select the "Windows Logon" entry.
  11. Click .Browse... to search your computer for a replacement sound. It must be in WAV format.
  12. Perform a full shutdown. In order to hear your logon sound, you must boot up from a full shutdown. Performing a regular shutdown will enable Fast Boot when you turn your computer on again, skipping the sound.
    • Press ⊞ Win+X
    • Select "Shut down or sign out" → "Shut down"
  13. Boot your computer up. You should hear your new logon sound once the computer logs into Windows.

Windows XP Startup Sound

  1. Click the Start menu and select "Control Panel".
  2. Open "Sounds and Audio Devices".
  3. Click the "Sounds" tab.
  4. Scroll down and select the "Start Windows" entry.
  5. Click the "Browse" button to search your computer for a new sound. It must be in WAV format.
  6. Click "Apply" to save your changes.

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