Dark mode will feature a slightly different sound pack

Aug 24, 2021 13:28 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft is putting a lot of effort into getting the sounds in Windows 11 right, bringing back the startup sound but also offering a completely new pack as compared to Windows 10.

And according to the company itself, the whole purpose of this effort is to make the operating system offer a sense of overall calmness, something that would be further boosted by the sounds you hear when completing a task on your device.

And while some of the new sounds are already available in Windows 11 testing builds, there’s something many didn’t even notice.

The sounds in light and dark modes are slightly different, with Microsoft confirming in a statement for CNBC that its purpose was to adapt the audio experience to what you see on the screen.

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

Windows 11 to launch in October

The Redmond-based software giant is clearly putting a lot of effort into getting everything right in Windows 11, especially as this is the biggest update for its desktop operating system released since 2015.

Currently available for testing as part of the Windows Insider program, Windows 11 is projected to be finalized in the next two months, with the public debut set to take place in October.

Windows 11 will be available as a free upgrade to certain eligible Windows 10 devices, with Microsoft confirming the rollout would begin this year and then continue into 2022 until everybody gets it.

However, the company says it’s also working with partners to bring more new devices ready for Windows 11 to the market, emphasizing that for some users, buying a new computer is the recommended path going forward.