Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7

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    Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7

    Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7

    How to Change the Windows 7 Startup Sound
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Change the Windows 7 Startup Sound

       Information
    This will show you how to change the Windows 7 startup sound, not the "Windows Logon" sound, to any WAV file of your choice.

    You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

       Note
    If you run a sfc /scannow command, then you will lose all changes made to the system file in the tutorial below since it and all other system files will be restored back to default by the command.
       Warning
    Making a mistake while modifying system files can render your Windows 7 installation unusable. To be safe, you should create a restore point before doing this tutorial in case you need to do a system restore at boot using the restore point to undo any mistakes that may be made.
       Tip
    If you like, here are the Startup Sounds from previous Windows releases.

    Windows History: logos, bootscreens, startup sounds etc | Redmond Pie





    OPTION ONE

    To Change Startup Sound in Windows 7 using "Startup Sound Changer"

    1. If you have not already, download the StartupSoundChanger.zip file for the free Startup Sound Changer program at the link below, and save it to your desktop.
    NOTE: You will need to click on the grey download button at the program's site below. 2. Open the ZIP file, and extract (drag and drop) the StartupSoundChanger.exe to your desktop.

    3. Run the StartupSoundChanger.exe file, and click on Yes when prompted by UAC.
    NOTE: This is a standalone .exe file that does not install anything on your computer.

    4. With "Startup Sound Changer" you can set a .wav file to replace the startup sound, play current startup sound, and restore the default startup sound. (see screenshot below)
    Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7-ssc.jpg



    OPTION TWO

    To Manually Change Startup Sound in Windows 7

    1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.

    2. To Restore Default Startup Sound in Windows 7

       Note
    If you lost your backup or didn't create one, then here's a copy of the default startup sound .wav file that you could use to restore it with using step 3 below.


    Download



    A) Copy the default backup imageres_original.dll file (step 3O below) to your desktop.

    B) Right click on the imageres_original.dll file and click on Rename.

    C) Rename it to imageres.dll and press enter.

    D) Repeat steps 3Q to 3X below to restore this file.
    3. To Change Startup Sound in Windows 7
    A) In Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll. (see screenshot below)
    Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7-step1.jpg
    B) Right click on the imageres.dll file, and click on Copy. (see screenshot above)

    C) Right click on your desktop, and click on Paste.

    D) If you have not already, then download and install Resource Hacker.

    E) Right click on the Resource Hacker shortcut in Start Menu - All Programs, then click on Run as administrator. (see screenshot below)
    Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7-start_menu.jpg
    F) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

    G) In Resource Hacker, click on File and Open. (see screenshot below)
    Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7-step4.jpg
    H) Navigate to and select the imageres.dll file copy on your desktop, and click on Open. (see screenshot below)
    Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7-step5.jpg
    I) In the left pane of Resource Hacker, expand WAVE, and 5080, to 1033. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: If 5080 and 1033 is named something else, then that is fine as long as they are still under WAVE. Just substitute what you have instead in the steps below. You can click on the Play WAVE button to hear what the current startup sound is.
    Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7-step6.jpg
    J) Right click on 1033 and click on Replace Resource. (see screenshot below)
    Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7-step7.jpg
    K) Click on Open file with new resource. (see screenshot below)
    Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7-step8.jpg
    L) Navigate to and select the .wav file that you want for the startup sound, and click on Open. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: This .wav file must be unblocked and remain at this same location. For example, move or copy the .wav into the C:\Windows\Media. If you move or delete this .wav file, the startup sound will no longer play it.
    Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7-step9.jpg
    M) Under Resource Type, type WAVE. Under Resource Name, type 5080. Under Resource Language, type 1033. Click on the Replace button. (see screenshots below)
    Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7-step10a.jpg

    Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7-step10b.jpg
    N) Click on File and Save, then close Resource Hacker. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: You can click on the Play WAVE button first to hear and verify what the current startup sound is set as in this file.
    Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7-step11.jpg
    O) On your desktop, Move and Save the imageres_original.dll file to another safe location of your choice as a backup.

       Warning
    THIS IS YOUR ONLY BACKUP OF THE ORIGINAL IMAGERES.DLL FILE WITH THE DEFAULT STARTUP SOUND.


    P) Check to make sure that the Play Windows Startup sound is checked in Sound so that it is turned on. (see screenshot below)
    Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7-sounds.jpg
    Q) Restart the computer and boot into the System Recovery Options (WinRE) screen, then select the Command Prompt option and press enter.
    NOTE: If you do not have a retail Windows 7 installation disc, then you can create a System Repair Disc to use to boot to the System Recovery Screen instead.
    Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7-system_recovery_options.jpg
    R) In the command prompt, type diskpart and press enter. (see screenshot below step 3V)

    S) In the command prompt, type list volume and press enter. (see screenshot below step 3V)

    T) Make note of what the drive letter is for your Windows 7 partition or drive. (see screenshot below step 3V)
    NOTE: The Windows drive is not always C at boot. For example, mine is listed as D here. Look at the volume name and size to help you determine which letter is the one that you have Windows 7 installed on.

    U) In the command prompt, type exit and press enter. (see screenshot below step 3V)

    V) In the command prompt, type the command below and press enter. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: Substitute D in the command below with the drive letter you have listed in step 3T for your Windows 7, and substitute username in the command below with your user account name.

    Code:
    COPY /V /Y "D:\Users\username\Desktop\imageres.dll" "D:\Windows\System32"
    Startup Sound - Change in Windows 7-command.jpg
    W) Close the command prompt, and click on the Restart button. (see screenshot above)

    X) As Windows 7 restarts, you will hear your new startup sound.

       Tip
    If you ever wanted to change the startup sound again anytime after the first time you did this tutorial, you would only need to replace the .wav file at the exact same location in step 3L in Windows Explorer with a different .wav file that you want to use now instead, then rename the new .wav file with the exact same name as the old .wav file. No other steps would be required.
    That's it,
    Shawn







  1. Posts : 48
    Windows 7 Pro, x64
       #1

    I don't know what the hell is up with Microsoft where someone has to go through this many hoops to change the startup sound. This is just ridiculous.
      My Computer


  2. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #2

    Mike89 said:
    I don't know what the hell is up with Microsoft where someone has to go through this many hoops to change the startup sound. This is just ridiculous.
    But why would you want to change it in the first place. When I start my system, the speakers are usually off anyhow.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Microsoft made it this way so that nothing (ex: malware) would be able to easily run or load at startup before the OS to cause problems. It is a security measure to make the computer more secure.


    Some folks like to customize their Windows 7 to their likes instead, and this is just one more option for them to do so with their own custom startup sound if they so choose to. :)
    Last edited by Brink; 05 Mar 2010 at 00:32. Reason: addition
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 12,364
    8 Pro x64
       #4

    Mike89 said:
    I don't know what the hell is up with Microsoft where someone has to go through this many hoops to change the startup sound. This is just ridiculous.
    Brand recognition.


    Just as modifying the appearance without the aid of 3rd party tools+patching is very limited.


    But at least it can be done. Doesn't make it any less of a PITA though.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3
    windows7
       #5

    thanx nice trick but anyone can help me how to change shutdown sound like this is ter any trick................
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Hello Leo,

    I believe that you could just change the Windows Log Off sound for this.

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Ultimate 86x
       #7

    Saving Problems (step 14)


    When i try to save the changes in ResHacker i get "Cannot rename original file. Saving cancelled", i am admin of computer, and run ResHacker as admin so i don't see why i can't save it. Also i cannot alter the "imageres.dll" directly. ResHacker zip is on desktop, and i have a copy of imageres.dll in desktop as well. Any suggestions?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Hello Jepekaa, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    Do you have UAC turned on?

    Double check to make sure that you have followed the steps exactly. One mistake could cause it to not work.

    Hope this helps for now,
    Shawn
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 103
    Windows 7
       #9

    Thank you Bring very much for this tutorial.
    Use your procedure, unfortunately can not change my Sound A to Sound B.
    Check imageres.dll in System32 using Resource hacker and Restoratot 2009. They play saved Saund B; but not with StartUp.
    Any comments will be great.
    Best regards
    Edit
    Well, well well. My mistake. Path specified was wrong. Copy from C:\Users\Stas\Desktop\imageres.dll not from D:\Users\Stas\Desktop\imageres.dll.
    All is OK and I get my Sound B.
    Thanks so much.
    Last edited by stasioau; 07 Dec 2010 at 23:33.
      My Computer


 
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