Microsoft commissioned Brian Eno in 1995 to compose a startup sound for Windows 95 that felt inspiring, futuristic and optimistic. Eno, a pioneer of ambient music, submitted dozens of short options, and the selected piece became the default welcome heard as the system loaded. The sound continued to be associated with later releases including Windows 98 and Windows 2000, embedding it in the memory of a generation of PC users. It later circulated widely in retro computing videos, memes and remixes celebrating 1990s technology.
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Brian Eno's ambient startup sound for Windows 95, also heard in Windows 98 and 2000, often used for nostalgic tech intros and retro PC moments.
Composed by Brian Eno, The Microsoft Sound is a short ambient piece built from soft synthesized tones that rise and settle in a calm, airy arc. It lasts only a few seconds, but its gentle chimes and warm electronic wash feel instantly futuristic and reassuring rather than alarming. Unlike a sharp notification, it drifts in, suggesting a system waking up and inviting the user in. Hearing it now triggers strong nostalgia for early home computing, and in videos it immediately signals a reboot, a discovery, or a return to a simpler digital era.
