Underneath a specific event, like the DeviceDisconnect event, there will be a list of folders. For example, if you've ever unplugged a USB device, you know that there is a system sound associated with that event, theĭeviceDisconnect event. The way this works is that each folder under Schemes/Apps/.Default represents an event you can map sounds to. What you'll find is the registry hive that represents the You can search the registry by clicking 'Edit > Find,' and since I know that the Windows Startup sound contains startup.wav, I simply search the registry for that sound. To look inside the registry, click Start > Run, then type 'regedit' Since most Windows settings are stored in the registry, that seems like a logical place to start looking. The first thing we want to do is find out where the system sound files are stored. Using Visual Basic or Visual C# Express, you can take this a step further and create a utility that can automatically change all of the system sound files, back up and restore sounds settings, and test sounds. Using Express to Change the System Sounds Then watch as just about every possible event triggers that sound file. Click 'Browse' to assign a sound file to each system event. With your victim's machine unlocked, you can change their system sounds simply by opening the Control Panel and selecting 'Sounds.' This will display the image below, which you can scroll through. Below I'll show you two different ways to change system sounds, from requiring no code at all, to building a utility created with Express, to automate changing the system sounds.

If you're not sure where to find wave audio clips, you can find a good set of sound clips on sites like

For the disgruntled employee, use any quote from 'Office Space.'.

For the South Park fan, use Cartman's 'Respect My Authoritay' clip.

For the Warcraft player, use 'Leeeeeeroy Jennnnnnkins.'.

For The Simpsons fan, use Nelson the Bully's 'Ha Ha' laugh or Homer Simpson's 'Doh.'.

For the person with too much work, use C3PO from Star Wars saying,'We're doomed.'.

As with all pranks, you should find a way to personalize the sounds for your victim.

Sounds for your victim for *every* Windows system sound. What this article walks through is adding humorous or annoying system Microsoft Windows enables users to set sounds for system events, such as when Windows starts up, when a device is connected, when an error occurs, when a window is maximized, and more.

As a best practice, I recommend that you back up your registry before running any code to manipulate registry settings, especially if you've never programmed the registry before. Like many other pranks, this one requires you to have physical access to your victim's computerĪt a time when they're not around. This April Fools' Day article walks you through how you can programmatically change the Windows system sound events to mess with a co-worker or family member.

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