Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: How do I change the windows error sound for windows terminal to something different?

Change Windows terminal error sound to a different one.

Quick Answer: Press the Windows key + R, type "control sounds" and press Enter. Then, select the desired sound from the list.

The error sound in Windows Terminal can be frustrating, especially when working on tasks that require focus. This issue typically affects users who frequently use the backspace key to clear lines in their terminal.

Changing the error sound is a simple process that can help improve your overall productivity and comfort while using Windows Terminal.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The default error sound in Windows Terminal is triggered by the operating system's built-in notification system. This sound is designed to grab attention, but it may not be suitable for all users.
  • Another possible cause is a corrupted or outdated audio file used by Windows Terminal.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Changing the Error Sound via Registry Editor

  1. Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type "regedit" and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
  2. Step 2: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ShellFVSound.
  3. Step 3: Double-click on the "ShellFVSound" value and select "Edit Binary Value" from the context menu.
  4. Step 4: In the Binary Value field, you'll see a hexadecimal string representing the error sound. Click on the "Copy" button to copy this value.
  5. Step 5: Open a text editor or note-taking app, paste the copied value into it, and then click on the "File" menu > "Save As" to save the file with a .wav extension.
  6. Step 6: Rename the saved file to something like "error_sound.wav", and then close the Registry Editor.
  7. Step 7: Restart your Windows Terminal application for the changes to take effect.

Changing the Error Sound via Audio Settings

  1. Step 1: Right-click on the Start button and select "System" or "Settings" depending on your version of Windows.
  2. Step 2: In the System Settings window, click on "Sounds" from the left menu.
  3. Step 3: Select the "Sounds and Audio Devices" tab and then click on the "Play sound through" dropdown menu.
  4. Step 4: Choose an alternative audio device or select "Desktop" as the playback location.
  5. Step 5: Click on the "Sounds" button and select a new error sound file from your computer's storage. You can use a .wav file that you've previously saved.

💡 Conclusion

By following one of these methods, you should be able to change the Windows Terminal error sound to something more suitable for your preferences. Remember to restart your application after making changes to ensure they take effect.

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