How to bring back Windows Startup sound to Windows 10

Windows Startup sound enable or disable
Windows Startup sound enable or disable (Image credit: Windows Central)

On Windows 7 and older versions, the system played a sound every time you started the computer, but since Windows 8.x and Windows 10, the chime has not been part of the experience.

However, Microsoft did not remove the option. Instead, it disabled it on new installations. This means that if you are the nostalgic type, you can still enable the Windows Startup sound from the "Sounds" settings.

In this Windows 10 guide, we will walk you through the steps to enable or disable the option to play the Windows Startup sound on your device.

How to enable legacy startup sound on Windows 10

To enable the startup sound on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Personalization.
  3. Click the Sounds option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Sounds tab.
  2. Check the Play Windows Startup sound option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Apply button.
  2. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the next time you start the device from a cold boot or restart, you will hear the legacy startup sound on the device when the Lock screen loads.

How to disable legacy startup sound on Windows 10

If you upgraded from an older version of the system that migrated the previous version sound settings, or you enabled the feature manually and no longer want to hear it, you can disable the startup sound manually.

To disable the Windows Startup sound, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Personalization.
  3. Click the Sounds option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Sounds tab.
  2. Clear the Play Windows Startup sound option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Apply button.
  2. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, Windows 10 will no longer play the legacy sound during startup.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.