Windows 95’s startup sound is one of the most iconic audio clips in tech history — a nostalgic, soothing chord that instantly transports many of us back to the golden days of early Windows. While Windows 11 includes its own pleasant startup chime, it doesn’t offer a straightforward option to change or customize startup sounds.
But here’s the good news: with a few tweaks, you can make your Windows 11 PC play the classic Windows 95 sound (or any sound you like) when your system boots. And no, you don’t need third-party startup sound apps — this works using built-in Windows tools.
In this detailed guide, we walk you through exactly how to add a custom startup sound in Windows 11, including converting audio formats, modifying system settings, and configuring the Task Scheduler to play your sound at logon.Let’s bring some retro vibes back!
How Startup Sounds Work in Windows 11
Microsoft removed the direct “Startup sound” customization option many years ago. In Windows 11:
- There is a system startup sound toggle
- But you cannot replace the default sound
- Custom sounds must play using automation (Task Scheduler)
- Only WAV audio files are supported for system-level sound playback
This means we’ll be using a scheduled task to play our custom sound at login — seamlessly mimicking the classic Windows startup behavior.
1. Download or Prepare the Startup Sound You Want
Most users want the Windows 95 startup sound, but you can use any sound file.
- Search the web for “Windows 95 startup sound WAV.”
- Download the audio in .wav format.
If your file is in MP3/M4A/OGG format:
- Convert it to WAV using an online converter or tools like Audacity.
Rename the file to something simple:
win95.wav
And place it in a safe location, such as:
C:\Windows\Media\Custom\
Create this folder manually if needed.
2. Enable Windows Startup Sound (Required)
Windows 11 must allow system startup sounds to play.
- Open Settings.
- Click Personalization.
- Open Themes.
- Click Sounds.
- Check Play Windows Startup sound.
- Click Apply → OK.
Even though we’re replacing the startup sound, this toggle ensures Windows allows sound playback during startup.
3. Use Task Scheduler to Play the Startup Sound on Boot
This is the core step that triggers your sound automatically.
- Press Windows + S and type Task Scheduler.
- Open it.
- Click Create Task on the right sidebar (not “Basic Task”).
General Tab Settings
- Name the task:
Custom Startup Sound
- Check:
- Run only when user is logged on
- Run with highest privileges
- At the bottom, set:
- Configure for: Windows 11
Triggers Tab
- Click New.
- Set Begin the task to:
At log on
- Choose “Any user.”
- Click OK.
Actions Tab
This is where you set your WAV file to play.
- Click New.
- Set Action to:
Start a program
- Under Program/script, type:
powershell
- Under Add arguments, enter:
-Command (New-Object Media.SoundPlayer "C:\Windows\Media\Custom\win95.wav").PlaySync();
Make sure the path matches your WAV file location.
- Click OK.
Conditions Tab
Uncheck:
- Start the task only if the computer is on AC power
- Start only if idle
This ensures the sound always plays.
Settings Tab
Enable:
- Allow task to be run on demand
- Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed
Click OK to save the task.
4. Restart Your PC to Test the New Startup Sound
Now the fun part.
- Restart your PC.
- Log in to your Windows account.
- Listen for the Windows 95 startup sound (or whichever sound you chose).
If everything was configured correctly, it should play automatically a moment after logging in.
5. Optional: Delay the Sound for Better Sync
Some users prefer a 2–3 second delay so the sound aligns with the desktop loading.
Update the PowerShell command to:
-Command Start-Sleep -Seconds 3; (New-Object Media.SoundPlayer "C:\Windows\Media\Custom\win95.wav").PlaySync();
Adjust seconds as desired.
Customizing your Windows 11 startup sound is a fun way to bring some personality — or nostalgia — to your PC. Whether you’re reviving the classic Windows 95 chime, using a gaming sound effect, or adding your own audio clip, the process is simple and safe using Task Scheduler and a WAV file.
Windows may not officially allow custom startup sounds anymore, but with this method, you can make your PC feel truly yours again.
