Here's a summary of Microsoft's recent blunder involving the Windows 11 Dev Channel build 26200.5651:
- What happened? In the Dev Channel preview build released around June 16, 2025, Microsoft accidentally replaced Windows 11's startup sound with the iconic chime from Windows Vista. This was not done as a joke or Easter egg—it was a genuine bug.
- Community Reaction: Testers and insiders immediately noticed and reported the change. The issue triggered a mix of nostalgia, amusement, and confusion, especially among users familiar with older Windows versions.
- Microsoft’s Response: Microsoft acknowledged the bug in their release notes and publicly referred to it as a “delightful blast from the past.” An engineer even joked about the incident online, but later clarified it was unintentional. The company confirmed they are working on a fix to restore the correct Windows 11 startup sound.
- Context: The startup sound is a notable part of the Windows user experience. While previous versions have sometimes changed or removed the sound (like Windows 8), Microsoft brought it back for Windows 11, making this mix-up particularly conspicuous.
- Sources: This incident has been documented both in tech news (like NewsBytes and The Verge) and on Windows forums, with official commentary and user reactions highlighting the unusual mix-up.
Source: NewsBytes Microsoft's blunder brings back Vista startup sound in Windows 11