Sound Optimizations

Fine-tune your Windows audio settings for the best possible experience. Winhance provides quick access to hidden audio settings including startup sounds, ducking preferences, and accessibility audio options.

Registry Details

Each setting below includes expandable registry details for power users. Click "Registry Details" to see the exact registry keys and values that are modified.

System Sounds

Control Windows system sounds and audio behavior.

Startup Sound During Boot sound-startup

Play the Windows startup sound when your computer boots up.

Registry Details

Path	`HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\BootAnimation`
Value	`DisableStartupSound`
Type	DWORD
Enabled (sound ON)	0
Disabled (sound OFF)	1
Default	0 (Absence = Enabled)

Path	`HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\EditionOverrides`
Value	`UserSetting_DisableStartupSound`
Type	DWORD
Enabled (sound ON)	0
Disabled (sound OFF)	1
Default	0 (Absence = Enabled)

Sound Ducking Preference sound-communication-ducking

Automatically lower volume of media and apps when Windows detects communication activity (calls, voice chat, etc.).

Registry Details

Path	`HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Multimedia\Audio`
Value	`UserDuckingPreference`
Type	DWORD
Options	0 = Mute all other sounds 1 = Reduce volume by 80% 2 = Reduce volume by 50% 3 = Do nothing
Recommended	3 (Do nothing)
Default	1 (Reduce by 80%)

Narrator Audio Ducking sound-narrator-audio-ducking

Allow Narrator to automatically lower the volume of other applications when it speaks.

Registry Details

Path	`HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Narrator\NoRoam`
Value	`DuckAudio`
Type	DWORD
Enabled	1
Disabled	0
Default	1 (Absence = Enabled)

Voice Activation for Apps sound-voice-activation

Allow apps to listen and respond to voice commands like "Hey Cortana".

Registry Details

Path	`HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SpeechOneCore\Settings`
Value	`AgentActivationEnabled`
Type	DWORD
Enabled	1
Disabled	0
Default	0 (Absence = Enabled)

Last Used Voice Activation Setting sound-voice-activation-last-used

Remember and apply the most recently used voice activation configuration.

Registry Details

Path	`HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SpeechOneCore\Settings`
Value	`AgentActivationLastUsed`
Type	DWORD
Enabled	1
Disabled	0
Default	0 (Absence = Enabled)

Accessibility Activation Sounds sound-accessibility-activation

Play sounds when accessibility features like StickyKeys or FilterKeys are activated.

Registry Details

Path	`HKCU\Control Panel\Accessibility`
Value	`Sound on Activation`
Type	DWORD
Enabled	1
Disabled	0
Default	1 (Absence = Enabled)

Accessibility Warning Sounds sound-accessibility-warnings

Play warning sounds when attempting to activate accessibility features or when accessibility-related events occur.

Registry Details

Path	`HKCU\Control Panel\Accessibility`
Value	`Warning Sounds`
Type	DWORD
Enabled	1
Disabled	0
Default	1 (Absence = Enabled)