How to Change the Windows 10 Startup Sound

Maybe to your favorite TV show theme

Tired of that boring sound your Windows computer makes when it boots up? There are two things you can do about updating your Windows 10 startup sound. You can either turn off the startup sound or change it to your preferred jingle. Better yet, you can take things up a notch by customizing the Windows 10 startup sound. Perhaps to your favorite song or the theme song of your favorite TV show.

Modifying the startup sound of your Windows 10 computer is very easy. However, depending on your device’s configurations, you may encounter some difficulties in the process.

Not to worry, though, we’ll walk you through all the steps and troubleshooting methods involved.

Change the Windows 10 Startup Sound

Note:If you run an older operating system on your computer, refer to this guide on changing startup sound on Windows XP, Win 7, and Win 8.

Follow the steps below to change the startup sound of your Windows 10 computer.

  1. Go toSettings > Personalizationand click onThemesin the right sidebar.

  2. In the Themes menu, click onSounds. That would open a new window where you can change your PC’s sound settings.

A faster alternative is to typechange system soundsin the Windows search box and selectChange system sounds; it’s the first option in the results.

  1. Navigate to theSoundstab and locateWindows Logonin the Program Events section.

Note:If the Windows Logon option doesn’t exist in the Program Event box, you need to enable startup sound using the Windows Registry Editor. Refer to the (Modify Startup Sound Registry Files) section below to learn how it’s done.

  1. Press theTestbutton to listen to your PC’s default/current startup sound. To change the startup sound to a system preset sound, tap theSoundsdrop-down button.

  2. Scroll through the preset startup sounds and select whichever piques your interest.

ClickApplyand thenOKto save the change. Remember to use theTestbutton to play and preview the sound before you make your selection.

You can also follow similar steps to change your PC’s shutdown sound. In the Program Events window, click onWindows Logoffand select a preset startup audio from theSoundsdrop-down menu.

If you’d rather use a custom or third-party audio as your PC’s startup or shutdown sound, follow the steps in the next section.

How to Set a Custom Sound as Your Windows 10 Startup Sound

Using a custom or third-party song/music as your Windows Logon sound can get a little tricky and requires some extra effort. But it’s a pretty straightforward process.

Before we get into the details, there are some things you need to know.

If you have an MP3 file, you can convert it to WAV format easily using a free online tool likeConvertio.co. We recommend that you keep the file size small, less than 1 MB if possible.

FreeConvert.com has anonline WAV compressor toolfor shrinking WAV files. If you’d be converting audio files very often, you should check out some great software apps that let youeffortlessly convert music files to different formats.

Move the audio file (in WAV format) toLocal (C:)>Windows>Mediaand follow the steps below to change your PC’s startup sound to the new custom sound.

  1. Typechange system soundsin the Windows search box and click onChange system sounds.

  2. Navigate to theSoundstab and locateWindows Logonin the Program Events section.

  3. Click onWindows Logonand tap theBrowsebutton.

Note: To change the shutdown sound, clickWindows Logoffand tap theBrowsebutton.

  1. Select the audio file (in WAV) you moved to the Media folder and selectOpen.

  2. Finally, check the box that readsPlay Windows Startup Sound. SelectApplyand then selectOKto save the changes.

Modify Startup Sound Registry Files

If the registry files responsible for both the startup and shutdown sound on your computer are excluded from the Control Panel, the Windows Logon and Windows Logoff options will be missing in the Sound settings menu.

Follow the steps below to modify the Logon and Logoff registry file. But before you do so, make sure youbackup your PC’s Registry.

  1. Launch the Run box (Windows key + R) and typeregeditinto the dialog box. ClickOKto proceed.

  2. Paste the directory below into the Registry Editor’s search box and pressEnteron your keyboard.

ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERAppEventsEventLabelsWindowsLogon

That would redirect you to the path where you’ll find the registry files powering Windows 10 startup sounds.

  1. Double-click on the registry file namedExcludefromCPL.

  2. Change theValue datato0. Leave every other option as is and selectOKto proceed.

If you want your computer to make a sound when you shut it down, you can also modify the registry file responsible for shutdown or logoff sound on Windows 10. Proceed to step #5 to do that. Otherwise, jump back to the previous section to change your computer’s startup sound.

  1. Paste the directory below into the Registry Editor’s search box and pressEnteron your keyboard.

ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERAppEventsEventLabelsWindowsLogoff

  1. Double-click on the registry file namedExcludefromCPL.

[19-edit-windows-shutdown-sound-registry-file-01.png]

  1. If the Value data is set to 1, change it to0and selectOK.

Windows 10 Startup Sound Not Changing? Try This

If you’ve changed your computer’s startup sound but it still plays the default jingle, it’s most likely due to the length of the audio file. For Windows 10, the maximum length of a startup sound is between 4 – 6 seconds.

To fix the problem, trim the audio file (in WAV format, remember) to 6 seconds and try again. If the startup sound still doesn’t change, reduce the file length to 4 seconds. You can use an online audio cutter or trimmer (likeClideo.com) to trim the length of your audio file.

The same maximum length requirement also applies to the shut down sound on Windows 10. So, if you change the shutdown sound of your PC but it still plays the default sound, trim the audio file to a maximum of 4 – 6 seconds as well.

Sodiq has written thousands of tutorials, guides, and explainers over the past 4 years to help people solve problems with Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows devices. He also enjoys reviewing consumer tech products (smartphones, smart home devices, accessories, etc.) and binge-watching comedy series in his spare time.Read Sodiq’s Full Bio

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