How to Change Windows 10 Startup Sound

Changing the Windows 10 startup sound lets you personalize the boot experience, making it more enjoyable or professional. By default, Windows plays a short chime when you log in. With a few registry edits, you can replace that sound with any WAV file you like, or turn it off completely. This guide walks you through the process safely, including backup steps and troubleshooting.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 10 PC with administrator rights
A WAV audio file (44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, 16-bit recommended) for your new startup sound
Optional: a backup of your registry (we’ll show you how)

Step-by-Step

Prepare your WAV file – Choose or create a WAV file. You can convert MP3 or other formats to WAV using free tools like Audacity. Place the file in a permanent location, e.g., C:\Windows\Media\MyStartup.wav. Avoid moving or deleting it later, or the sound will stop working.
Back up the registry (recommended) – Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. In the Registry Editor, click File > Export. Choose a location, name it (e.g., registry-backup.reg), select All under Export range, and click Save. This lets you restore if something goes wrong.
Navigate to the startup sound key – In the Registry Editor, go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\EventLabels\WindowsLogon
If you don’t see WindowsLogon, it may be under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\EventLabels\WindowsLogon – it’s usually there. If not, search for “WindowsLogon” using Edit > Find.
Find the current sound file – In the same key, look for a subkey named Current (or Default). Double-click the (Default) value inside it. Note the current path (e.g., C:\Windows\Media\Windows Startup.wav). You’ll replace this with your own.
Set your new sound file – Change the (Default) value to the full path of your WAV file, e.g., C:\Windows\Media\MyStartup.wav. Click OK. If the path contains spaces, keep it in quotes – but the registry value should not have quotes unless you add them manually; usually it works without quotes.
Enable the startup sound (if disabled) – The startup sound only plays if the “Play Windows Startup sound” option is on. Go to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Sounds. In the Sound dialog, check the box “Play Windows Startup sound” if it’s unchecked. Click Apply and OK.
Restart your PC – Save any work and restart. When you log in, you should hear your new startup sound. If not, proceed to Troubleshooting.
Disable the startup sound (optional) – If you prefer no sound, uncheck “Play Windows Startup sound” in the Sound dialog (same as step 6). That’s it – no registry edit needed for disabling.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong file format – Windows only plays WAV files for system sounds. MP3 or other formats will not work.
Moving the WAV file after setting it – If you delete or move the file, Windows will fall back to silence or the default sound.
Editing the wrong registry key – There are multiple keys with similar names. Make sure you’re in WindowsLogon under EventLabels.
Not having admin rights – Registry edits require administrator privileges. If you can’t save changes, run regedit as administrator.
Forgetting to enable the startup sound – Even with the registry set, the sound won’t play if the toggle is off.

Tips

Use a short sound (1-2 seconds) to avoid delaying the login process.
Keep a backup of your original WAV file path so you can revert easily.
Test your WAV file in a media player first to ensure it’s not corrupted.
If you want to change other system sounds (like notifications), you can do it via the Sound dialog without registry editing.

Troubleshooting

Sound doesn’t play after restart – First, confirm the “Play Windows Startup sound” checkbox is enabled. Then, double-check the registry path – ensure you edited the (Default) value under Current subkey, not Default subkey (if both exist). Also verify the WAV file is valid and accessible.

Default sound still plays – This can happen if the registry change didn’t take effect. Try signing out and back in instead of a full restart. If that fails, re-apply the registry change and ensure you clicked OK.

Registry edit won’t save – You need administrator rights. Right-click regedit and select “Run as administrator”. Also, make sure you’re not in a restricted user account.

Sound is distorted or too loud/quiet – Normalize your WAV file’s volume using an audio editor. Keep the bitrate at 16-bit and sample rate at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz for best compatibility.

Startup sound is silent on some laptops – Some laptops have a hardware mute or a BIOS setting that disables startup sounds. Check your BIOS/UEFI settings for any audio-related options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an MP3 file for the startup sound?

No, Windows system sounds require the WAV format. You must convert your MP3 to WAV first.

Will this change the shutdown sound?

No, the shutdown sound is a separate event. You can change it similarly by editing the WindowsLogoff key in the registry.

Is it safe to edit the registry?

Yes, if you follow the steps carefully and back up first. Incorrect changes can cause issues, but restoring from backup fixes it.

Why is the startup sound not playing even after I set it?

Check the “Play Windows Startup sound” checkbox, ensure the registry path is correct, and verify your WAV file is not corrupted.

Can I remove the startup sound completely?

Yes, simply uncheck “Play Windows Startup sound” in the Sound dialog. No registry editing needed.

Does this work on Windows 11?

This guide is for Windows 10. Windows 11 has a similar but slightly different registry structure, so the steps may not apply directly.

Sources: Microsoft Support. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.