Windows issue addressed: Echo of Vista start-up sound appearing spontaneously on Windows 11 devices, now resolved by Microsoft
Microsoft has addressed a bug in the Canary channel of the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build that caused the Windows Vista startup sound to play instead of the current one. This unexpected behaviour was not intended and has since been removed in newer builds.
Windows Vista, widely regarded as one of the worst versions of Windows due to its tough hardware requirements and driver problems, was first launched to the public in January 2007. It has not received security updates since 2017. The Windows Vista boot-up sound is also used in Windows 7, but Microsoft specifically cites it as the Windows Vista sound.
The Windows Insider program allows users to test out new features before they are released to the public. Last month, users experienced the Windows Vista start-up sound instead of the current one, an issue that has now been resolved.
The latest update also fixed a bug that would stop audio playing for a few moments after casting to a TV. However, changing the Windows 11 startup sound to the Windows Vista boot sound remains a manual process due to the lack of native support in Windows 11.
To apply the Windows Vista startup sound, users will need to manually replace the Windows 11 startup sound file with the Vista sound file. This process usually involves obtaining the Windows Vista startup sound file, locating the current startup sound file used by Windows 11, replacing or re-registering the sound with the Vista version, and modifying the registry or creating a scheduled task to play the chosen sound at boot or login.
Since Microsoft removed official startup sound customization interfaces starting with Windows 8 and continuing in Windows 11, users often rely on custom scripts or sound modification utilities to achieve this. Users are advised to exercise caution when editing system files or the registry.
The latest update also acknowledges problems it will be working on in the future. While Microsoft has fixed the bug that caused the Windows Vista startup sound to play unexpectedly, there is currently no official Microsoft feature that allows simple switching of startup sounds in Windows 11.
[1] Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-removes-windows-vista-startup-sound-windows-11-insider-build [2] Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-confirms-windows-vista-startup-sound-playing-windows-11-bug [3] Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-confirms-windows-vista-startup-sound-playing-windows-11-bug-will-be-fixed-soon [4] Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-confirms-windows-vista-startup-sound-playing-windows-11-bug-fixed-new-build [5] Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-change-windows-11-startup-sound-windows-vista-sound-manually
- In the realm of unofficial customizations, users can utilize technology to manipulate the startup sound of Windows 11, replacing it with the old, familiar sound from the game Windows Vista, despite the bug that previously caused the game's sound to play instead of the current one.
- As for the future game of improvements, Microsoft has acknowledged that they will be addressing the issue of allowing simple switching of startup sounds as a PS, but until then, players may need to bet on custom scripts or sound modification utilities to change the sound, exercising caution to avoid any damages.
- The latest season of Windows 11 updates has seen the resolution of the Windows Vista start-up sound issue, but unfortunately, betting on a straightforward method to change the startup sound within Windows 11 is currently off the table, requiring a series of manual card-playing to achieve the desired outcome.
