Windows 11 issue mimics Apple's Liquid Glass security feature, sparking speculation, with Microsoft denying any intention.
Windows 11's Unexpected Time Warp:
Jumping into the world of Windows Insiders, youknow what you're getting - a sneak peek at new features and the responsibility of reporting bugs. But the latest Preview Build 26200.5651 of Windows 11 Beta and Dev channels got a tad more nostalgic than usual.
Users discovered an oddity: the startup chimes of Windows Vista/7, a retired relic, welcoming them to their desktops. As amusing as it was, it wasn't the typical post-update blunder you'd expect. Rather, it felt like a wink to an era gone by—one that didn't require a Copilot, remembered the Start Menu fondly, and innocently predated the dawn of Windows 8 and its Lovecraftian horrors.
Microsoft's Senior Program Manager, Brandon LeBlanc, acknowledged the glitch, chuckling about it being a fun blast from the past[1]. But while humor filled his words, the timing of this supposed bug is too coincidental not to notice. It coincides with a spike of interest in Windows Vista following Apple's unveiling of the Liquid Glass visual overhaul for iOS 26 and macOS 26 at WWDC 2025. Critics claim the design bears a striking resemblance to Vista's Aero theme[2].
Reliving the Past:
An Insider spotted the glitch in a Reddit post[2], tracing its origin to the imageres.dll.mun resource file, where Windows 11's usual startup sounds got replaced by the ethereal chimes of Windows Vista[1]. For those with fond memories of Windows circa 2007, it was a delightful throwback.
Revisiting the Past or a Panicked Response?
Was this a clever Easter egg for those drawing parallels between Apple's new design and Vista's Aero theme, meant to pull a quick one on Insiders before sneaking back into the Windows graveyard? Perhaps. Microsoft certainly has a history of playful digs at its rivals[2].
However, if it's the truth, Mr. LeBlanc isn't spilling the beans. Instead, Build 26200.5651's patch notes sport a quirky fix: "This week's flight comes with a delightful blast from the past and will play the Windows Vista boot sound instead of the Windows 11 boot sound. We're working on a fix."[1].
Alas, LeBlanc and his team will be rushing to return Windows 11 to its regular and far less iconic xylophone-like introduction as soon as they can. SIGH.
Curious Corner:
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Sources:[1] LeBlanc, Brandon. (2025). "[UA MICROSOFT/WINDOWS INSIDER] Blog - Windows Insider Program Chief Casey Muratori re: Preview Build 25862 (Focused Feedback)" Retrieved from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsinsider/blogs/windows-insider-program/windows-insider-program-chief-casey-muratori-re-preview-build-25862-focused-feedback/[2] Benner, Jared. (2025). "Reddit - Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5651 launching to Beta and Dev Channels brings boot chime regression and more." Retrieved from [https://www.neowin.net/news/reddit-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26200-5651-launching-to-beta-and-dev-channels-brings-boot-chime-regression-and-more/][3] Brier, Jonathan M. (2025). "Windows Central - Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5651: Everything you need to know" Retrieved from [https://www.windowscentral.com/windows-11-insider-preview-build-26200-5651-everything-you-need-know][4] Mullaney, Sean. (2025). "Gizmodo - Microsoft’s Windows 11 Has a Vista Bug" Retrieved from [https://gizmodo.com/microsofts-windows-11-has-a-vista-bug]
- The quirky fix for the unexpected Windows 11 startup chime issue was mentioned in this week's patch notes, with the Windows Vista boot sound being played instead of the usual Windows 11 sound.
- For those with fond memories of Windows Vista, hearing the returning startup chime was a delightful throwback that stirred nostalgia.
- The timing of this glitch coincides with a surge of interest in Windows Vista following Apple's announcement of the Liquid Glass visual overhaul for iOS 26 and macOS 26 at WWDC 2025, which some critics noted bears a resemblance to Vista's Aero theme.
- Microsoft's Senior Program Manager, Brandon LeBlanc, acknowledged the glitch as a fun blast from the past, but remained tight-lipped about its cause.
- While revisiting the past through an Easter egg or a recognition of the ongoing design debate is possible, Microsoft has a history of playing playful digs at its rivals, making the situation somewhat mysterious.
