Windows startup sounds broken down in-depth by audio experts
Windows XP’s orchestral jingle and more are covered in-depth during the latest episode of the Twenty Thousand Hertz podcast.
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What you need to know
Windows startup sounds go all the way back to the early days of the OS. Some of the jingles have become famous, such as the orchestral sound of Windows XP. The latest episode of theTwenty Thousand Hertz podcastcovers the history of startup sounds from Windows.
The entire episode is worth a listen. Around the 21:30 mark, you’ll hear arguably the most iconic Windows startup sound, the one from Windows XP. The show’s hosts highlight how Windows XP shared a similar soundscape for different sounds in the operating system.
Microsoft drifted away from startup sounds with Windows 8, which lacked any noise when booting altogether. That OS also lacked support for multiple Windows on a desktop, so a missing sound may not have been its biggest issue.
Even the rollout of Windows 10 didn’t add a jingle. Former Microsoft Director of Program Management for the Windows User Experience Team Jensen Harrisexplained why the company moved away from startup sounds.
Microsoft changed its — ahem — tune withWindows 11. The company was so excited about the return of a startup noise that it shared aslo-fi remixof sounds from its previous operating systems in the run-up to Windows 11’s announcement.
This is only the first half of a two-part series from the Twenty Thousand Hertz podcast covering the topic.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
