A few days ago, one of our readers asked us an interesting question: "is there a place where I can check when does a Windows sound play?". While we have shown how to customize the sound scheme in Windows, we did not talk about when each system sound is played. That's why we decided to answer this question and detail when each system sound is played by Windows. Let's get started:
What Are The Program Events That Are Included In A Sound Scheme?
You can customize the sound scheme used by your Windows computer from the Sound window, found in the Control Panel. You will get to it by going to: "Control Panel -> Appearance and Personalization -> Personalization -> Sounds".
In the Sound window you'll notice a section called Program Events.
sounds, sound scheme, played, when, Windows
There you'll find a rather long list of events. If you use a sound scheme, most of these events have a sound assigned. That means that whenever a program event occurs, its corresponding sound is played. For example, when your laptop or device battery is low on power you'll hear the Critical Battery Alarm sound.
sounds, sound scheme, played, when, Windows
These Program Events are divided into subsections. By default, you should have three categories: Windows, File Explorer and Windows Speech Recognition. They include sounds that are played when using Windows, File Explorer and Speech Recognition.
sounds, sound scheme, played, when, Windows
Depending on the software that you installed on your device, other sections might also be available. When software developers program an application, they can create program events that trigger sound alerts. These sound alerts let users know that something happens on their computers. For example, a developer writing an email application can program it to automatically play a sound whenever a new message is received or sent. If an application was programmed to offer this kind of feature, you'll see all its program events displayed in the Sound window.
When Are All These Sounds Played?
Windows includes some program events of its own. Their names are mostly self-explanatory but some are harder to understand. Here's when the default system sounds are played in Windows:
Asterisk - the sound that is played when a popup alert is displayed, like a warning message.
Calendar Reminder - the sound that is played when a Calendar event is taking place.
Critical Battery Alarm - the sound that is played when your battery reaches its critical level.
Critical Stop - the sound that is played when a fatal error occurs.
Default Beep - this sound is played for multiple reasons, depending on what you do. For example, it will play if you try to select a parent window before closing the active one.
Desktop Mail Notification - the sound that is played when you receive a message in your desktop email client.
Device Connect - the sound that is played when you connect a device to your computer. For example, when you insert a memory stick.
Device Disconnect - the sound that is played when you disconnect a device from your computer.
Device Failed to Connect - the sound that is played when something happened with the device that you were trying to connect.
Exclamation - the sound that is played when you try to do something that is not supported by Windows.
Instant Message Notification - the sound that is played when you receive an instant message.
Low Battery Alarm - the sound that is played when the battery is running low.
Message Nudge - the sound that is played when you receive a BUZZ in an instant message.
New Fax Notification - the sound that is played when you receive a fax via your fax-modem.
New Mail Notification - the sound that is played when you receive an email message.
New Text Message Notification - the sound that is played when you receive a text message.
NFP Completion - the sound that is played when the transfer of data via NFC between your Windows device and another device is completed.
NFP Connection - the sound that is played when your Windows device is connecting to another device via NFC.
Notification - the sound that is played when a default notification from a program or app is displayed.
System Notification - the sound that is played when a system notification is displayed.
Conclusion
There are a lot of people who like to hear sounds when something happens on their Windows devices. While setting or customizing a sound scheme is a simple job, you may not know what's up with all the sounds that can be customized. Hopefully our guide has offered all the information that you needed to know. If you have questions on this subject, don't hesitate to ask using the comments form below.
Hey, I’m wondering what the notifications are for items that have by default no sound, such as “question” in the sound event list. I guess I could add a custom sound and see when it happens, but I’d like to know in advance so I’m not flooded with sounds. Also I don’t see a way to change the startup sound from that menu. I can turn it off but that’s all.
Krista ·
Is there any way to add sounds for something that is not listed? For example, I would like for a sound to play when my screensaver opens.
LeeLow ·
First, thanks a ton for this. Couldn’t find it anywhere else on the internet. Second, I agree with the guy above me – how about a list for File Explorer. Also, just out of curiosity, any idea, why I have Office 97 (yes, I typed that correctly) still on there? Does it have something to do with transferring info from old computer to new one? If so, I’ve had quite a few PC’s since Office 97. The one I have now is 3 years old & running 2016. Granted I don’t feel the need to buy a new version as soon as it comes out & I’m not at all happy about this Microsoft 365. My husband & I each have a PC & use Word & Excel. Doesn’t seem fair – but I digress.
Jay ·
What about the File Explorer tab?
Will ·
Extremely helpful. Thanks!
Anonymous ·
Happy to help. Do not hesitate to subscribe to our newsletter, for more useful tutorials.
Caitlin ·
Thank you! This guide helped. So many of the default sounds are too abrasive.
Herbert Yeager ·
Sound when you turn computer on or log-in & when you log off at end of day.
anon ·
thank you for this
Spoutinwyze ·
Would be nice to have a list of what each sound wav file is for each setting. IE Asterisk : Chime.wav
Battery Low warning: Windows Foregruond.wav
I don’t know if those examples are correct, but I have downloaded the windows 7 theme pack for sounds but windows doesn’t allow an easy “change profile” you can only save once you’ve manually changed each sound. Tedious I know but if I must, then I first need to know what the sounds are supposed to be usually in windows 7 as the names of the wav files don’t match that of the use.
Tony ·
What is the Select event and when would I hear that sound? Most of the others are fairly self-explanatory, but “select” is so broad it could mean almost anything – and nothing I’ve done so far has triggered the sound I attached to it. Thanks!
GheekyGurl ·
Tony, I’m running 8.1 and “Select” corresponds to the sound you hear when your pointer selects something, like a folder or file in Windows Explorer. It plays the sound on single and double click. Mine uses a “finger snapping” sound called “start.wav” from my old XP c:windowsmedia folder. Hope this helps.
GheekyGurl ·
Is there a way in Win 8.1 to reattach the “ok to disconnect device” sound to the display of the pop-up alert message? Before, you’d get the sound with the pop up. Now it makes the sound when you physically turn off the device, which seems useless and illogical. Any ideas? Thanks for your help.
Discussion (13)
Hey, I’m wondering what the notifications are for items that have by default no sound, such as “question” in the sound event list. I guess I could add a custom sound and see when it happens, but I’d like to know in advance so I’m not flooded with sounds. Also I don’t see a way to change the startup sound from that menu. I can turn it off but that’s all.
Is there any way to add sounds for something that is not listed? For example, I would like for a sound to play when my screensaver opens.
First, thanks a ton for this. Couldn’t find it anywhere else on the internet. Second, I agree with the guy above me – how about a list for File Explorer. Also, just out of curiosity, any idea, why I have Office 97 (yes, I typed that correctly) still on there? Does it have something to do with transferring info from old computer to new one? If so, I’ve had quite a few PC’s since Office 97. The one I have now is 3 years old & running 2016. Granted I don’t feel the need to buy a new version as soon as it comes out & I’m not at all happy about this Microsoft 365. My husband & I each have a PC & use Word & Excel. Doesn’t seem fair – but I digress.
What about the File Explorer tab?
Extremely helpful. Thanks!
Happy to help. Do not hesitate to subscribe to our newsletter, for more useful tutorials.
Thank you! This guide helped. So many of the default sounds are too abrasive.
Sound when you turn computer on or log-in & when you log off at end of day.
thank you for this
Would be nice to have a list of what each sound wav file is for each setting. IE Asterisk : Chime.wav
Battery Low warning: Windows Foregruond.wav
I don’t know if those examples are correct, but I have downloaded the windows 7 theme pack for sounds but windows doesn’t allow an easy “change profile” you can only save once you’ve manually changed each sound. Tedious I know but if I must, then I first need to know what the sounds are supposed to be usually in windows 7 as the names of the wav files don’t match that of the use.
What is the Select event and when would I hear that sound? Most of the others are fairly self-explanatory, but “select” is so broad it could mean almost anything – and nothing I’ve done so far has triggered the sound I attached to it. Thanks!
Tony, I’m running 8.1 and “Select” corresponds to the sound you hear when your pointer selects something, like a folder or file in Windows Explorer. It plays the sound on single and double click. Mine uses a “finger snapping” sound called “start.wav” from my old XP c:windowsmedia folder. Hope this helps.
Is there a way in Win 8.1 to reattach the “ok to disconnect device” sound to the display of the pop-up alert message? Before, you’d get the sound with the pop up. Now it makes the sound when you physically turn off the device, which seems useless and illogical. Any ideas? Thanks for your help.