Dark mode will have different sounds in Windows 11

Sound

Music to my ears! Who would have thought Microsoft would be putting so much effort in getting the sounds right in Windows 11? Yet, here we are with the company going all out.

Not only is it bringing back the startup sound, it is also offering a completely new pack.

A new pack that takes the dark more to the next level in the OS.

Just about every piece of software worth its digital salt has embraced this trend. Darker hues are not only visually appealing, they are also gentle to the eyes. And to help create a different experience for fans of the dark theme in Windows 11, Microsoft has included special sound effects.

These audio changes are described by the company in a statement given to CNBC, where a company spokesperson talks about how these new sounds makes Windows 11 just that extra bit calmer for users of the operating system:

“The new sounds have a much rounder wavelength, making them softer so that they can still alert/notify you, but without being overwhelming. Just like we rounded UI visually, we rounded our soundscape as well to soften the overall feel of the experience.”

Redmond had talked about visual calmness of Windows 11 before, but the company had said nothing about the matching sound schemes. Until now.

Apparently, the new audio effects are much less in-your-ears, and designed to have a calming effect on users. The idea behind them was the adapt the audio experience to what you are seeing on the screen, while at the same time making them less nerve racking, so to speak.

An aural update like this is just what the doctor ordered!

And with all this focus on the dark mode in Windows 11, it only makes sense that there are different sound schemes for these two distinctly different visual modes. Even if the different is slight.