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Windows 11 Test Builds Revert to Vista Startup Chime in Beta and Dev Channels

Microsoft confirmed the glitch, planning an update to reinstate Windows 11’s original boot sound.

Overview

  • Preview build 26200.5651 introduced the unintended replacement of Windows 11’s boot tone with the classic Vista chime for testers in both Beta and Dev channels.
  • Microsoft added the issue to its official release notes on June 16, noting that previews would temporarily play the Vista startup sound.
  • Brandon LeBlanc’s initial joke about tweaking sound files gave way to confirmation that the chime swap was accidental.
  • Users uncovered that the Vista boot chime was embedded within Windows 11’s imageres.dll file, revealing long-hidden system assets.
  • Windows Insider engineers are developing a fix to restore the proper Windows 11 startup sound in upcoming preview updates.