Windows 11 new startup sound got leaked — and it sounds like Minecraft music

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Is it just us, or does the new Windows 11 startup tune sound Minecraft-y?

Windows 11
Windows 11 (Image credit: Laptop Mag)

Windows 11, the operating system Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella called the "most significant" update in a decade, was revealed on Thursday at the much-hyped virtual Microsoft event. Microsoft didn't reveal the new Windows 11 startup tune yet, but it already got leaked on Twitter last week.

Windows 11's brand-spankin' new melody is a short-and-sweet, triple-beat jingle, but social media commentators couldn't help but notice that it's reminiscent of a Minecraft track called "Strad."

Windows 11 has a new tune — and it sounds rather Minecraft-y

The new Windows 11 startup tune was leaked last week, and as mentioned, social media erupted with commentary about how it's similar to a soundtrack from Minecraft, a sandbox adventure game where players can where players can dig, mine, build, craft and enchant things. 

It's not a far-fetched theory that the new startup tune is Minecraft-inspired. After all, Microsoft purchased the open-world game in September 2014 for $2.5 billion. Since then, the number of monthly active Minecraft users climbed to a whopping 140 million worldwide, according to Statista.

Minecraft ended up being a rewarding acquisition for the Redmond-based tech giant, so it makes sense that it would pay homage to the popular game with a Minecraft-y Windows 11 startup tune.

The Minecraft soundtrack that seemingly inspired the new Windows 11 jingle is called "Strad." It was produced by Daniel Rosenfield. Rosenfield produced almost all of the music tracks for Minecraft as well as some sound effects. "Strad" is a tropical-sounding melody that consists of steelpan music, tribal percussion beats and a layered mix of soft synths, woodwinds and strings. It looks like Windows 11 took some of that steelpan magic and turned it into a catchy startup tune.

Critical reception of the new Windows 11 startup sound

Twitter typically erupts with a volcano of opinions about new revelations in the tech industry, and now the new Windows 11 startup sound is on the receiving end of all the commentary.

 "You call that a startup sound?" @MrGenksD tweeted. "This is a startup sound," he said, posting the loud-and-proud Windows XP tune.

Some concurred with @MrGenksD's sentiments that previous startup tunes sounded better, but cited Windows 98 and Windows 2000 as having better bootup jingles.

An electronic music composer liked the new Windows 11 sound, but decided to spice it up a little bit more with a little more reverb and "shimmer."

Whether we like it or not, the Minecraft-inspired Windows 11 startup sound is here to stay. Also, keep in mind that this is a leak; Microsoft has not officially announced the Windows 11 startup sound. Stay tuned for more Windows 11 coverage as more information about the new operating systems comes to light.

Kimberly Gedeon
Kimberly Gedeon

Kimberly Gedeon, holding a Master's degree in International Journalism, launched her career as a journalist for MadameNoire's business beat in 2013. She loved translating stuffy stories about the economy, personal finance and investing into digestible, easy-to-understand, entertaining stories for young women of color. During her time on the business beat, she discovered her passion for tech as she dove into articles about tech entrepreneurship, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the latest tablets. After eight years of freelancing, dabbling in a myriad of beats, she's finally found a home at Laptop Mag that accepts her as the crypto-addicted, virtual reality-loving, investing-focused, tech-fascinated nerd she is. Woot!