1. 1. Microsoft Windows 3.1 Startup Sound

   Back in 1992, 3.1’s startup sound was jarring and unpopular.

   This prompted Microsoft to create a more aurally pleasing version for its next operating system.

2. 2. Microsoft Windows 95 Startup Sound

   In 1994 Microsoft asked Brian Eno to create a piece of music that was (in his words) “inspiring, universal, blah- blah, da-da-da, optimistic, futuristic, sentimental [and] emotional.”

   The resulting seven seconds — about twice as long as Microsoft’s initial brief requested — has made tech history as a recognizable “sonic logo.”

3. 3. Microsoft Windows NT Startup Sound

   In 1996, Windows NT 4.0 revealed a fresh, futuristic sound.

   Legend has it that the shutdown sound played the startup sound backwards.

4. 4. Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Sound

   Microsoft audio producer Ken Kato is credited with the creation of the Windows 98 sound.

5. 5. Microsoft Windows 2000 Startup Sound

   Microsoft tinkled the ivories with its professional “2000” operating system.

6. 6. Microsoft Windows ME Startup Sound

   The consumer-aimed “Millennium Edition” shared the same audio.

7. 7. Microsoft Windows XP Startup Sound

   The startup chime (and other system sounds within XP) are based on live orchestral recordings.

   Composer Bill Brown worked with Emmy-award winning sound designer Tom Ozanich to create the audio.

8. 8. Microsoft Windows Vista Startup Sound

   The Vista startup sound was a collaboration among progressive rock guitarist Robert Fripp, record producer, musician and composer Tucker Martine and Microsoft’s own engineer (and musician) Steve Ball.

   In a blog post, Microsoft described the tune as having “two parallel melodies played in an intentional ‘Win-dows Vis-ta’ rhythm,” with four chords — one for each color in the Windows flag.

9. 9. Microsoft Windows 7 Startup Sound

   Finally, Windows 7’s default startup audio is the same as Vista’s.

Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/10/24/windows-startup-sounds/