How-To

How to disable the Windows 11 startup sound

Hate the startup sound in Windows 11? You have options.

by
Joy Okumoko
July 24, 2022

Image: Unsplash

Windows 11 comes with a new startup sound. This is nothing new, as every Windows version came with different startup and shutdown sounds. But if you hate the alert, you’ll need to know how to disable the Windows 11 startup sound.

The Windows startup sound plays when your Windows computer is starting up, while the shutdown sound plays when it’s shutting down.

If you’re in a library, a board meeting, or in a room where others are asleep, your Windows 11 startup sound could cause distractions.

Thankfully, the Windows OS allows you to quickly and easily turn on/off the Windows 11 startup and shutdown sounds.

How to disable the Windows 11 startup sound

Whether you need it temporarily or permanently disabled, here’s how to disable the Windows 11 startup sound on your computer.

Power up your Windows 11 computer and search for Settings using the Start menu search box. Alternatively, press the Windows key+i
Click Personalization under the left sidebar of the Settings menu
Click on Themes, then click on Sounds
Scroll down on the Sound dialog box and uncheck the Play Windows Startup sound checkbox
Click on Apply then click on OK to disable the Windows 11 startup sound

The next time you power up your Windows 11 computer, the startup sound will not play. This way, you can quietly power your system on or off without drawing unnecessary attention to yourself. You can also create a Shutdown shortcut in Windows 11.

And if you want to re-enable the Windows 11 startup sound at any time, simply follow this same process and check the Play Windows Startup sound checkbox.

A history of Windows startup and shutdown sounds

Windows has a long history of startup and shutdown sounds that have graced its operating system since its inception. Some have been great, and some have been not-so-great, making you want to shut it out.

Here’s every Windows startup and shutdown sound from Windows 1.0 to Windows 10

You can also listen to the audio version of selected Windows startup and shutdown sounds. From 1985 to date, Windows startup and shutdown sounds have been a thing.

Don’t want it? Turn it off

If you don’t want the Windows 11 startup sound playing every time you power up your PC, simply follow the steps described above to turn it off.

You can further change other sound settings via the Windows 11 settings menu. For even more customization, you can change your Windows 11 username or add Windows XP screensavers to Windows 11.

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