You open Windows sound settings, but there is no option to choose a new startup recording. Windows provides an on/off switch; replacing the recording takes a third-party tool. Start with the replacement option below, or use the built-in controls to silence startup audio and a shortcut to play your own sound after sign-in.
Understand what Windows lets you change
The usual obstacle is that Windows has an on/off control for its startup sound, not a built-in replacement picker.
Changing your theme or selecting another Sound Scheme does not select a custom boot recording. Microsoft provides no supported setting for replacing that recording.
To replace it, use Winaero Tweaker’s Startup Sound feature, covered next. To play a custom greeting after you enter your account, use the Startup-folder shortcut further below. These control two different moments: Windows starting up and your account signing in.
Replace the recording with Winaero Tweaker
Open the official Winaero Tweaker product page.
Select Download under Download Winaero Tweaker. The developer lists Windows 11 and Windows 10 support. Replacing the startup recording is not a Microsoft-supported customization, and compatibility with Windows 11 25H2, 26H1, and ARM64 is unconfirmed.
In Winaero Tweaker, open Appearance > Startup Sound.
Select Enable Startup Sound.
Use Replace startup sound to choose your WAV file.
Select Play current sound to preview the recording.
Restart your PC to check playback during startup.
Tip: select Restore default sound in the same panel to bring back the original recording.
Turn the Windows startup sound on or off
Use the built-in control when you want the original Windows startup sound to play or want startup to stay quiet. The following Settings route applies to Windows 11.
Right-click the taskbar speaker icon to open its menu.
Select Sound settings.
Under Advanced, select More sound settings.
Open the Sounds tab.
Select Play Windows Startup sound to enable playback, or clear it to silence the recording.
Select Apply.
Select OK to close the window.
For a direct route on Windows 11 or Windows 10, press Windows+R.
Enter mmsys.cpl in Run.
Select OK to open the same Sound control, then use the Sounds tab instructions above.
Play your own sound after signing in
A Startup-folder shortcut plays a local WAV after sign-in on Windows 11 or Windows 10 where Windows PowerShell is permitted, without replacing the native boot recording.
- 1.Save your WAV at a permanent local location, such as
C:\Sounds\startup.wav. - 2.Create a shortcut with this target, substituting your actual WAV path:
powershell.exe -NoProfile -WindowStyle Hidden -Command "(New-Object System.Media.SoundPlayer 'C:\Sounds\startup.wav').PlaySync()" - 3.Press Windows+R, enter
shell:startup, and select OK. Place the shortcut in the folder that opens. - 4.Sign in again to hear the custom audio. Playback can be delayed because the shortcut launches after sign-in.
- 5.For only the custom sign-in sound, clear Play Windows Startup sound in the Sound control, then select Apply and OK.
- 6.To remove the custom audio later, delete its shortcut from the Startup folder.
Silence a separate app or ASUS boot sound
An automatically launched app can make its own sound at sign-in. For that app, open Start > Settings > Apps > Startup.
Set the app to Off. This stops its automatic launch, not just its audio, and leaves the Windows startup recording alone.
Some ASUS ROG notebooks have a separate boot audio effect. On a model with that feature, search Windows for ARMOURY CRATE and select Open.
On Home, under System Configuration, select Boot Up Sound to toggle the ASUS effect. This control neither selects a replacement file nor changes the Windows recording. Feature availability depends on the device and app version; installing Armoury Crate does not add it to unsupported PCs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reach the startup-sound checkbox through Personalization?
Yes. Open Settings > Personalization > Themes > Sounds. On the Sounds tab, select or clear Play Windows Startup sound, then select Apply and OK. This route also works in Windows 10.
Should I download the standalone Startup Sound Changer?
No. Its developer has stopped maintaining it and replaced it with Winaero Tweaker. Its documented support covers Windows Vista and Windows 7.
Can the custom sign-in sound play for every user?
Yes. Press Windows+R, enter shell:common startup, and select OK. Place the WAV-playing shortcut there with administrator permission. It still plays after sign-in.
Does the old Turn off Windows Startup sound policy work in Windows 11?
Do not use it as a supported Windows 11 fix. Microsoft’s Windows 11 25H2 policy reference marks Turn off Windows Startup sound as unavailable in that version and limits its support to Windows Vista through Windows 7.