Windows XP Sounds for Windows 11: How to Download & Set Up

Explore the easy ways to get the good old Windows XP sounds

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Key notes

  • There is no pre-mod available to get the XP sounds on Windows 11; therefore, you need to download a .wav file on your computer and make changes in system settings.ย 
  • This guide will cover all the steps to enable popular Windows XP sounds on your computer.ย 
windows xp sounds for windows 11

 Do you want to bring back the nostalgia of using Windows XP with the iconic startup and shutdown sounds on your Windows 11?

This guide will discuss ways to download and set up the Windows XP sounds for Windows 11. Letโ€™s start! 

How can I download and set up Windows XP sounds on Windows 11? 

1. Enable Windows XP startup sound 

1.1 Download the .wav file 

  1. Go to the Vsthemes website.
  2. Scroll the page and click Download file to download all the Windows XP sounds.Download File WAV file
  3. Now next page, click Download.Download from server -windows xp sounds for windows 11
  4. Save the file in an accessible location.

1.2 Make changes in Registry Editor

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run window.REGEDIT RUN COMMAND
  2. Type regedit and hit Enter to open Registry Editor.
  3. First, take a backup, go to File, then click Export. Next, save the .reg file on your computer.REG save
  4. Navigate to this path: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\EventLabels\WindowsLogonExclude Windows Logoff
  5. Double-click ExcludeFromCPL and change the Value data to 0.
  6. Restart your computer.

1.3 Change settings in Control Panel  

  1. Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and click Open.Control Panel
  2. For View by, select Category. Click Hardware and Sound.Category sound
  3. On the next page, under Sound, click Change system sounds.Change system sounds -windows xp sounds for windows 11
  4. Go to the Sounds tab, under Program Events, under Windows, and click Windows logon.
  5. Click Browse.Sound settings  -windows xp sounds for windows 11
  6. Select the file you downloaded, and click Open.Startup sound open
  7. Click Apply and then OK.Apply and OK
  8. Restart your computer to listen to the sound.

2. Enable Windows XP shut down sound

2.1 Make changes in Registry Editor

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run console.
  2. Type regedit and hit Enter to open Registry Editor.Logoff -windows xp sounds for windows 11
  3. Navigate to this path: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\EventLabels\WindowsLogoff
  4. Locate ExcludeFromCPL and change the Value data to 0.
  5. Restart your PC.

2.3 Change settings in Control Panel  

  1. Open Control Panel by using the steps mentioned in the first method.
  2. For View by, select Category. Click Hardware and Sound.Category sound -windows xp sounds for windows 11
  3. Under Sound, click Change system sounds.Change system sounds
  4. On the next page, under Program Events, navigate to Windows, then select Windows Logoff.
  5. Click Browse.Logoff
  6. Select the shutdown sound from the folder you downloaded in the first step and click Open.Browse shutdown
  7. Click Apply and then OK.Winfows Logoff Browse

3. Enable other sounds 

  1. Open Control Panel by using the steps mentioned in the first method.
  2. For View by selecting Category from the drop-down. Click Hardware and Sound.
  3. Under Sound and click Change system sounds.
  4. Now go to Program Events under Windows, navigate to the sound you want to change, and select it. Click Browse.Notifcation -windows xp sounds for windows 11
  5. Select the .wav file from the downloaded folder and click Open.Notification Open
  6. Click Apply and OK.Apply and OK

So, this is how you can download and set up Windows XP sounds on your Windows 11 computer. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to mention them in the comments section below.

Windows XP was one of the best versions of Windows, and you can still keep using it with a few tips mentioned here.

More about the topics: Windows 11