Windows 10 plays the same chime for most app notifications. You can swap it for another built-in sound or any short .wav file of your own from the classic Sound settings. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) now run until October 12, 2027.
Quick Answer
Open Control Panel, Sound, go to the Sounds tab, select Notification under Program Events, pick a sound from the list or click Browse for a .wav file, and click OK.
How to Change the Notification Sound on Windows 10
- Right-click the speaker icon on the taskbar and choose Sounds, or search for Change system sounds in Start.
- Open the Sounds tab.
- Scroll the Program Events list and select Notification.
- Choose a sound from the Sounds drop-down, or click Browse and select a .wav file.
- Click Test to preview it, then click Apply and OK.
Notification Sound Options
| Option | Result |
|---|---|
| Built-in sound | Choose from the Windows sound list |
| Custom .wav file | Use your own short sound clip |
| (None) | Silences notification sounds only |
| Sound scheme | Changes many system sounds at once |
To change other alerts too, see how to change system sounds in Windows 10.
Troubleshooting
- Your file does not appear: Windows only accepts .wav files here. Convert MP3 files to WAV first.
- The sound resets after an update: save your choices as a new sound scheme with Save As.
- Some apps use their own sound setting: check the app’s options if it keeps its own chime.
- To silence alerts instead, see how to turn off notifications in Windows 10.
- For timed alerts with their own sounds, read how to use alarms in Windows 10.
Related: Why Slack might not make a notification sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I store custom sounds?
Keep them in a folder that will not move, such as Documents. If the file moves, Windows falls back to no sound.
Can I set a different sound for each app?
Not from the Sound dialog. Some apps offer their own sound option in their settings.
How long should a notification sound be?
Short clips of one or two seconds work best, since long files can play over each other.
Summary
- Open the Sound dialog.
- Select Notification on the Sounds tab.
- Pick a sound or browse for a .wav file.
- Click Apply and OK.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.