The sound originates from Microsoft Windows 95, released in 1995, with its startup melody composed by musician Brian Eno. He was asked to create a short, optimistic piece that felt welcoming and futuristic, and the resulting chime became one of the most recognizable computer sounds ever made. As retro computing grew online, recordings of the startup were shared in memes, remixes and nostalgia compilations. It remains popular because a few notes instantly identify an entire era of personal computing.