How to Change the Windows 10 Startup Sound

Changing the startup sound in Windows 10 involves a few steps, as this feature isn’t directly customizable through typical sound settings. By following this detailed guide, you can personalize your Windows 10 startup sound.

Introduction

The startup sound in Windows 10 can be personalized to enhance your user experience. Although Windows 10 does not provide a straightforward way to change the startup sound, you can achieve this through a series of steps involving the Control Panel and system settings.

Steps to Change the Windows 10 Startup Sound

Step 01: Enable the Startup Sound Option

Open the Control Panel

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type control and press Enter to open the Control Panel.

Access Sound Settings

1. In the Control Panel, go to “Hardware and Sound.”
2. Click on “Sound.”

Enable Windows Startup Sound

1. In the Sound window, go to the “Sounds” tab.
2. Check the box labeled “Play Windows Startup sound” if it is not already checked.

Step 02: Replace the Default Startup Sound

Access the System Files

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. Click “Yes” if prompted by User Account Control (UAC).

Navigate to the Correct Registry Key

1. In the Registry Editor, navigate to:

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   HKEY_CURRENT_USERAppEventsEventLabelsSystemExit
   

Change the Sound File

1. Double-click on the “ExcludeFromCPL” entry in the right pane and change its value from 1 to 0. This makes the shutdown sound setting visible in the Sound settings.
2. Navigate to:

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   HKEY_CURRENT_USERAppEventsEventLabelsWindowsLogon
   

3. Double-click on the “ExcludeFromCPL” entry and change its value from 1 to 0.

Copy Your Custom Sound File

1. Ensure your custom sound file is in .wav format. Convert it if necessary.
2. Copy your custom .wav sound file to the following location:

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   C:WindowsMedia
   

Assign the Custom Sound

1. Go back to the Control Panel and open the Sound settings again.
2. In the “Sounds” tab, scroll down to find “Windows Logon” in the “Program Events” list.
3. Select “Windows Logon” and click the “Browse” button.
4. Navigate to the location where you saved your custom .wav file, select it, and click “Open.”
5. Click “Apply” and then “OK.”

Step 03: Test the New Startup Sound

Restart Your Computer

1. Restart your computer to hear your new startup sound.

Additional Information

• Format of Sound File: Ensure your custom sound file is in the .wav format, as other formats are not supported for system sounds.
• Length of Sound File: Keep the sound file short (under 5 seconds) to avoid a prolonged startup sound experience.
• Backup Registry: Before making changes to the Registry, it’s recommended to back it up. In the Registry Editor, click on “File” > “Export” to save a backup.

Troubleshooting

• No Sound After Change: If you don’t hear the new startup sound, double-check that the file path and format are correct. Ensure the “Play Windows Startup sound” option is enabled.
• System Permissions: Make sure you have administrative permissions to change system files and registry entries.

By following these steps, you can successfully change the Windows 10 startup sound to a custom sound of your choice, adding a personal touch to your computer’s startup experience.