replace windows 8.1 default sound?

Is there a routine that will allow me to replace the default start up sound
without getting to deep into changing windows files, dll, etc?

I found 1 but it got really involved with changing/replacing system files. At
least more than i care to.

thanks,

 

Evan,
Thanks for the quick reply and the help.

I saw that page.
i was not clear in initial posting, it is the windows startup sound i want to replace.

The other sounds (asterisk, events, etc, i can do).

Did not know about the other sound schemes tho, bookmarked that site.

thanks

 

Saw this on youtube while trying to find a procedure for changing.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wamy215UCyw

 

Yeah, something is not right in that video. Note he said he used some utility provided through winaero.com to change the sound. Not sure why he would do that when it is easy to change it via the Control Panel > Sound applet.

 

Hmmm, just looking through the Control Panel applet with W8.1, the Windows Startup sound is not listed. Instead, there is a checkbox below the list, but I still don't see how to change the Startup sound. Odd.

Will do some more digging.

 

yes, there is the check box but that's a on or off condition.

There is a "startup.wav' in the media folder, wonder if just replacing it with a
diff wave with the same name would do it?

Will try tis and get back.

 

Okay, now I am finding that MS removed some of the sounds and/or the option to change some of the sounds in W8. Not sure why but my guess is because they greatly cut back on some of the Aero effects to improve performance and to bring W8 in line with the "metro experience" they were pushing on everyone. Playing a sound at start slows boot times and most users want the fastest boot times possible.

There are some ways around it by editing the Registry as shown here. I would make sure you fully backup the Registry before attempting this - and make sure you understand how to restore from that back up should something go wrong.

 

that tweak is for the Logon, Logoff, and Shutdown Sounds in Windows 8. it
does not include the "startup wave" sound. It is really locked up tight.

Tried replacing the startup file but no-go, kept getting permission denied
messages even after taking ownership and safe mode. will keep trying.

 

Found this page
http://www.fixedbyvonnie.com/2014/01/folder-access-denied-delete-folder-windows/

The info on this page let me take control of the windows\media folder (or any other folder)
and change permissions for it.

Then renaming "windows startup.wav" to "old windows startup.wav" and
inserting my new windows startup.wav to that folder. I thought i had it done.
Nope!

Restarting the system (cold boot) and going through a normal restart, I
got the same old default startup.wav sound

Darn, still digging tho.

 

I think it is probably wise to let it be. Windows 7 and more so with Windows 8 were redesigned to boot (and shutdown) as fast as possible because the vast majority of users were not happy with their computers taking several minutes to boot and several more to shutdown. This is exacerbated when SSDs are used as boot drives.

The boot process is an extremely critical period for any operating system. Interjecting sounds involves interjecting "hardware interrupts" right when those very same hardware drivers are loading. Same with shutdowns and drivers unloading.

I always used to modify my startup and shutdown sounds too, because they told me without looking my computer was ready to use, or to fully power off. But now, with boot and shutdowns taking seconds rather than minutes, I no longer use, or miss them.

 

Bill,

Yea, think you're right, I'll just let it be. Its nothing i can't live with anyway.

I've gone about as deep as i want too (before i really mess it up.

Will mark this thread as resolved and move on.

thanks to all,