Listen to the Windows XP startup song on 11 instruments
I bet you’ve never heard the Windows XP startup sound on a theremin.
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What you need to know
If you had a computer in the early 2000’s, you’ve likely heard the Windows XP startup sound quite a few times. But have you heard it played on a theremin? How about on a cosmophone? Musician and YouTuber Joe Porter just shared a YouTube Short of the Windows XP startup sound on 11 instruments.
The legendary jingle is played on the marimba, theremin, desk bells, vintage stylophone, glockenspiel, xylophone, cosmophone, crystalophone, kalimba, keyboard, and a laptop by Porter. That last one isn’t exactly an instrument, but PCs have played the Windows XP startup sound millions of times, so I think that makes it okay.
The rendition on the cosmophone is my favorite. The tune resonates well on the aluminum pipes. The video also serves as a reminder of how epic the Windows XP startup sound was.
If you enjoy this type of content, Porter has an entire library of videos. Gamers will enjoy the Minecraft theme song in one ofPorter’s most popular clips.
Windows startup sounds
Microsoft has a storied history surrounding the startup sounds of Windows. The company’s jingles for booting up Windows 95, Windows XP, and Windows 7 were iconic, at least among tech nerds. The tech giant then infamously ditched the startup sound with the release of Windows 8. That’s not the main reason that the operating system failed, but it couldn’t have helped.
Windows 8almosthad a startup sound, but Microsoft ultimately decided against including it. Jensen Harris, who was at one point theDirector of Program Management for the Windows User Experience teamhas avideo on the history of Windows startup soundsand why Windows 8 didn’t have one. He latershared the missing Windows 8 startup soundwith the world.
As many of you know, the startup sound made a triumphant return with the launch of Windows 11. Microsoft teased that return with aslo-fi remix of the previous Windows startup sounds. Of course, you can alsodisable the Windows 11 startup soundif you’d prefer.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
