Windows 11 Mistakenly Plays Vista’s Startup Sound
▼ Summary
– A senior editor with 20+ years of tech experience covers Microsoft and PC-related topics, including recent Windows 11 updates.
– Microsoft accidentally replaced Windows 11’s boot sound with the Windows Vista startup chime in a test version of the OS.
– Testers noticed the issue after Microsoft released the latest Dev Channel build (26200.5651), where the sound file was swapped in imageres.dll.
– Microsoft acknowledged the mistake in release notes, calling it a “blast from the past,” and stated they are working on a fix.
– A Windows Insider team member joked about the error on social media, though it was confirmed as a bug, possibly linked to nostalgia for Vista’s design.
Windows 11 users recently experienced an unexpected throwback when their devices started playing the iconic startup sound from Windows Vista instead of the modern chime. This unusual glitch appeared in test builds of the operating system, sparking both nostalgia and confusion among early adopters.
The issue emerged shortly after Microsoft rolled out its latest Dev Channel preview, build 26200.5651. Instead of the familiar Windows 11 boot sound, testers were greeted with the unmistakable Vista chime stored in the system’s imageres.dll file. Microsoft promptly addressed the mix-up in its release notes, describing it as a “delightful blast from the past” while confirming a fix was in the works.
While the exact cause remains unclear, Brandon LeBlanc from the Windows Insider team humorously suggested on social media that he might have “had some fun” with the sound files. The lighthearted comment downplayed what was likely just an accidental bug rather than an intentional callback.
The timing of this audio hiccup was particularly amusing, coming just as Microsoft drew comparisons between Apple’s new Liquid Glass design and its own Aero Glass aesthetic from the Vista era. Whether coincidence or subconscious influence, the brief return of Vista’s sound served as a quirky reminder of Microsoft’s design legacy.
For now, testers can expect the correct Windows 11 startup sound to return in future updates. Until then, the unexpected nostalgia trip offers a momentary glimpse into tech history, whether users wanted it or not.
(Source: The Verge)
