An unexpected twist in the world of Windows has unfolded, as the beloved boot chime from Windows Vista has been officially retired from Windows 11. Earlier this summer, a curious bug surfaced, causing the nostalgic Vista sound to play during the startup of Windows 11, much to the surprise of users, particularly those in the Windows Insider program.
Microsoft acknowledged the bug in June, stating, “This week’s flight comes with a delightful blast from the past and will play the Windows Vista boot sound instead of the Windows 11 boot sound. We’re working on a fix.” After several months of diligent work, the engineers at Microsoft have successfully resolved the issue, confirming that it was indeed a bug rather than a playful jab at Apple, which had recently unveiled its own Vista-inspired Aero Liquid Glass design.
Latest Windows 11 preview build has a fun bug that restores Windows Vista’s iconic boot up sound. A surprise blast from the past lol pic.twitter.com/YeAeHAiyL5June 16, 2025
The release notes for Windows 11 Build 27913 clearly state, “Fixed an issue where the Windows Vista boot sound was unexpectedly being used instead of the Windows 11 boot sound.” One can only imagine the sleepless nights the Windows team endured over the summer, tirelessly working to ensure that the correct chime would greet users upon startup.
A brief history of Windows startup sounds
The brief jingles that accompany the booting of a PC may last only a few seconds, yet they carry a surprisingly rich history. Microsoft first introduced startup sounds with Windows 3.1, and they remained a staple until the launch of Windows 8, which notably omitted any jingle. For years, users were met with silence as their PCs powered up, but Microsoft eventually decided to reinstate a startup sound for Windows 11, even releasing a slo-fi remix that celebrated the evolution of these iconic sounds.
Jensen Harris, the former Director of Program Management for the Windows User Experience team, has shared insights into the lore surrounding Windows startup sounds over the years. In one notable video, he explains the rationale behind the absence of startup sounds in Windows 8. Additionally, he revealed a jingle that was created for Windows 8 but ultimately went unused, along with a variation designed specifically for Surface PCs. Thanks to Harris, these audio files are now available for enthusiasts to explore.
