Microsoft Windows NT

Splash Screens Error Screens

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For other uses, see Microsoft Windows (disambiguation).

Windows NT 3.1

Contents   Screen (October 12, 1992-October 5, 1994 (end of production), December 31, 2000 (extended support))

Windows NT 3.5X

Contents   Screen (August 1, 1994-December 31, 2001)

Windows NT 4.0

Contents   Screen (June 21, 1996-July 11, 2006)

Windows NT 5.0 (early Windows 2000 beta builds)

Contents 1st Screen (March 17, 1997-February 11, 1998) 2nd Screen (March 18-October 19, 1998)

Windows 2000

Contents 1st Screen (December 13, 1998-April 26, 1999) 2nd Screen (February 18, 1999-September 13, 2005 (end of production), July 13, 2010 (extended support))

Microsoft Neptune (cancelled)

Contents   Screen (December 10, 1999)

Windows Whistler/Windows XP/Windows Server 2003

Contents 1st Screen (August 10, 2000-February 6, 2001) 2nd Screen (August 25, 2000-January 4, 2001) 3rd Screen (January 13-15, 2001) 5th Screen (May 8, 2001-April 9, 2019)

Windows Longhorn/Windows Vista/Windows 7

Contents 1st Screen (March 5-September 5, 2003) 2nd Screen (September 9, 2003-August 19, 2004) 3rd Screen (April 25-August 19, 2004) 4th Screen (April 1, 2005-July 26, 2006) 5th Screen (February 2, 2006-April 10, 2012 (end of production), April 11, 2017 (extended support)) 6th Screen (November 8, 2006-April 10, 2012 (end of production), April 11, 2017 (extended support)     7th Screen (October 2, 2007) 8th Screen (December 20, 2007-May 11, 2008) 9th Screen (June 12, 2008) 10th Screen (August 29-October 23, 2008) 11th Screen (November 2, 2008-July 1, 2011 (end of production), January 14, 2020 (extended support))

Windows 8.x, 10 and 11/Windows Server 2012-2025/Windows 10X (cancelled)

Contents   Screen (March 30, 2011-)

Windows NT 3.1

Screen (October 12, 1992-October 5, 1994 (end of production), December 31, 2000 (extended support))

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Codename: "NT OS/2", "Razzle"

Visuals: Same as Windows 3.1's startup, but the rectangle is light gray and the text is carved in the rectangle. "NT" is added next to "MICROSOFT WINDOWS".

Variants:

• On preliminary developer releases, "PRELIMINARY RELEASE FOR DEVELOPERS" is seen in a stencil font, covering up "Version 3.1". The rectangle is also light gray.
• Beta releases of Windows NT 3.1 contain the text "BETA - " (pretty much the same thing as "PRELIMINARY RELEASE FOR DEVELOPERS"). Following it would be the beta release month and year (OCTOBER 1992, MARCH 1993).
• Server operating systems contain "ADVANCED SERVER" below the text.
• On Windows NT 3.5 builds 612 and 683, the logo is changed to a tilted white flag with the Windows logo in it.

Technique: A real-time computer graphic.

Sounds: Same as Windows 3.1.

Availability: Only seen on computers running on Windows NT 3.1.

Windows NT 3.5x

Screen (August 1, 1994-December 31, 2001)

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Codename: "Daytona"

Visuals:

• Workstation: Over a white background is the flag logo in CGI. Underneath, in a narrow serif font, is "Microsoft WINDOWS NT WORKSTATION". At the bottom is written, in the same font, "Version 3.5".
• Server: Same as the Workstation version, except the Windows logo is replaced with the Microsoft BackOffice logo (i.e. several black waves). Underneath is the same text from before, except the text reads "SERVER" instead of "WORKSTATION".

Variants:

• On Build 756 of Windows NT 3.5, an early version exists where the Windows flag is in 2D and the logo is in a scribbly teal background. The Server version also used the Windows flag, which was changed to the BackOffice logo after this build.
• On computers running Windows NT 3.51, the background is a shady pale green, and the bottom now says "Version 3.51".
• On Windows NT 4.0 Builds 1141-1327, the bottom was once again changed, now being "Version 4.0".
  • Starting with build 1166, a large gray "Beta" is seen in the left corner rotated vertically.
  • On Beta 2 builds, this was changed to "Beta 2".

Technique: A real-time computer graphic.

Sounds:

• Windows NT 3.5-4.0 Build 1264: Same as Windows 3.1.
• Windows NT 4.0 Builds 1273-1327: The sounds from the next screen.

Availability: Only on computers running on Windows NT Workstation 3.5 or 3.51. It was also seen on early Windows NT 4.0 builds and the unreleased Microsoft Cairo.

Windows NT 4.0

Screen (June 21, 1996-July 11, 2006)

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Codename: "Shell Update Release", "Hydra", "Impala"

Visuals:

• Workstation: There is the Windows logo with the text "Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 with Microsoft Internet Explorer" below it on a star-to-sky gradient background, with the sky half resembling the Windows 95 background. On the upper-right corner of the screen is the text "Copyright © 1985-1996 Microsoft Corporation" under the then-current Microsoft logo. Below is the text "This product is protected by US and International copyright laws as described in the About Box.".
• Server: Over a white background is the BackOffice logo from the previous screen on the top left, and the same text from the Workstation version on the bottom right, except "Server" replaces "Workstation", and the "Version: 4.0" text is seen next to "Server". On the bottom left is the white box with the colored BackOffice logo on a black rectangle, with "Microsoft" above it and "BackOffice" below it.

Variants:

• An early version exists on builds 1345-1353, where it's almost the same as the final screen, but with a few differences.
  • A small "Version: 4.0" text is in place of "4.0" next to "Workstation"
  • The Windows logo has a trademark symbol (™) along with a drop shadow in addition to a glow effect. Only the latter is present in the final version.
  • The text "with Microsoft Internet Explorer" beneath "Workstation" is absent.
  • The registered trademark symbol (®) next to the Microsoft logo is barely visible compared to the final version.
  • Copyright notices are written in Arial font instead of Franklin Gothic.
  • Colors (particularly the Windows logo and upper part of the background) are slightly darker.
• On Windows NT Embedded 4.0, there's a version where the logo is seen without the text "with Microsoft Internet Explorer" and "Embedded" replaces "Workstation". Below is the text "The product is protected by US and International copyright laws as appropriate.".

Technique: A real-time computer graphic.

Sounds:

• Original Version:
  • Startup: A "soaring" synth/uplifting piano sounder throughout, combined with synth chimes and a flourish of futuristic synths at the end. This was composed by Matthew Felton using the Korg 01/W.
  • Shutdown: Same as the startup sound, but in reverse.
• NT 4.0 Resource Kit Systems:
  • Startup: A 5-note oboe theme, which turns into a majestic string and orchestra crescendo.
  • Shutdown: A descending piano theme, loosely inspired by the "chimes.wav" sound effect.

Availability: Seen on computers running Windows NT 4.0, which wasn’t a popular version of Windows.

Windows NT 5.0 (early Windows 2000 beta builds)

1st Screen (March 17, 1997-February 11, 1998)

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  Pre-Beta 1 (Workstation)
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  Beta 1 (Workstation)
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  Server

Visuals:

• Workstation: Similar to the NT 4.0 screen, with some differences. The Windows flag logo is positioned further to the left, the "Windows NT Workstation" text is now gray and placed near the top-right, with the Microsoft logo and copyright information below it. Below them is the large "5.0", in semi-transparent white. The surrounding outline is now changed to the shape of a square passing behind the middle of the Windows flag and the right end of the "5.0" text. At the left of the outline, the "This product is protected by US and International copyright laws as described in the About Box." text is shown in blue within a four-line paragraph.
• Server: Same as the previous screen, with the italic "with Active Directory" text below "Server". The version text now reads "Version: 5.0", with "5.0" being larger. The "Beta 1 Evaluation Copy" text is seen in orange.

Variants: Several versions of the screen exist.

Technique: A real-time computer graphic.

Sounds:

• Startup:
  • Builds 1515-1631: Same as Windows NT 4.0.
  • Builds 1671-1745: A THX-like rising synth note (using a modified version of the Glider preset from the Korg WaveStation EX), followed by an arpeggio of sci-fi sounding beeps. This was also composed by Matthew Felton.
• Shutdown: Same as the NT 4.0 shutdown for both beta versions.

Availability: Seen on computers running Windows NT 5.0 builds from Builds 1515-1745.

2nd Screen (March 18-October 19, 1998)

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  Early Interim's Developer Release (Workstation)
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  Later Interim's Developer Release (Workstation)
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  Beta 2 (Workstation)
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  Interim's Developer Release (Server)
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  Pre-Beta 2 (Server)
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  Beta 2 (Server)

Visuals:

• Workstation: Over a white background is the Windows flag logo inside a blue box, and there are some blue boxes next to it. There is the same text from the previous 4.0 screen, except the text reads "5.0", which is larger.
• Server (build 1773-1814): Same as the previous two screens, except with a larger "5.0".
• Server (build 1848-1911): Same as the Workstation screen, but the square with the Windows logo is black and "Workstation" is swapped with "Server".

Variants: There are several versions of the screen.

Technique: Real-time computer graphics.

Sounds: Same as Windows 5.0's post-beta.

Availability: Seen on computers running Windows NT 5.0 from builds 1773-1911.

Windows 2000

1st Screen (December 13, 1998-April 26, 1999)

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  Professional
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  Server

Visuals:

• Professional: Over a white background, the logo starts with the Windows flag from the next screen in the top-left corner (without the blue square behind) with other colored boxes in orange, green, and blue, with the blue square being a cloudy sky image. There is the same text from the next screen.
• Server: There are multiple interlocked blue square outlines with the Windows logo seen off-center in one of them. Below is the text from the next Server screen, with "Built on NT technology".

Technique: Real-time computer graphics.

Sounds:

• Startup: A shortened, sped-up and higher-pitched version of the post-Beta Windows NT 5.0 startup, with a synth choir pad.
• Shutdown: A low-pitched, unidentifiable noise, sounding like wind blowing with digital effects.

Availability: The normal version was seen on Builds 1946-1969 Windows 2000. The server version was used until Build 2031.

2nd Screen (February 18, 1999-September 13, 2005 (end of production), July 13, 2010 (extended support))

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  Professional
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  Server Family (beta)
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  Server Family

Codename (64-bit version only): "Janus"

Visuals:

• Professional: On a white background, four squares are layered over each other in the same panel colors (red-orange, blue, green, and yellow). On top of the top square is the then-current Windows flag logo. Below the squares are the words "Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional", arranged much like the fourth and fifth screens, with "Professional" on the bottom. Below this is the text "Built on NT Technology." At the top-right corner of the screen is the then-current Microsoft logo. At the very bottom of the screen, there is a gray bar, with the words "Starting up..." and a progress-style bar, and beneath that is a copyright notice.
• Server Family: On a white background, three beveled blue squares are layered over each other with the square in the front having a white fill with the Windows flag on the center of it. Below the squares are the words "Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Family" arranged together, with the "Built on NT technology" text at the right. There is the typical progress bar scrolling below.

Variants:

• On early beta builds of Server Family, the text is shortened to just "Servers".
• On Windows XP 64-bit build 2210 the number "64" is spray-painted in red

Technique: Real-time computer graphics.

Sounds:

• Startup (1983-2000.3): A piano arpeggio, followed by a 4-note string theme. This was composed by Steven Ray Allen.
• Shutdown (1983-2000.3): A different string theme based off the startup sound.
• Startup (post-2000.3): A rearranged version of the startup. This was also composed by Steven Ray Allen.
• Shutdown (post-2000.3): A rearranged version of the shutdown.

Availability: Can be seen on computers that run Windows 2000.

Microsoft Neptune (cancelled)

Background

Neptune was planned to be the first version of Windows NT for home use until the project was merged with the Odyssey (planned professional release) project to form Whistler (Windows XP).

Screen (December 10, 1999)

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Visuals: Essentially the same as before, but instead of the Windows 2000 logo is the left trails of the Windows flag with a rainbow gradient effect. To the right of it is "Microsoft Neptune" arranged like before, and below it is "under construction", all in gray.

Variant: When Fast boot is enabled, the progress bar will be green (much like in Windows XP Home Edition) instead of the usual blue. Additionally, the blue animation bar does not move.

Technique: Real-time computer graphics.

Sounds: Same as Windows 2000 and ME (Millennium Edition).

Availability: This version was never released, although it can be seen on build 5111.1, the only Neptune build available.

Windows Whistler/Windows XP/Windows Server 2003

Background

Windows XP, codenamed Whistler, was the first Windows operating system available for both home users and workspaces (with a "Home Edition" and a "Professional Edition"), and the first to use the Windows NT kernel, which was used for workspace-oriented computers before XP's release and is more stable than the MS-DOS-based Microsoft Windows 9x kernel, for all versions. A Server Family version, Windows Server 2003, was also made.

1st Screen (August 10, 2000-February 6, 2001)

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Visuals:

• Whistler: Same as Windows 2000, but it now reads as "Microsoft Codename Whistler" arranged like before, with "Codename" being in light gray.
• Whistler Server Family: Same as Windows 2000 Server Family, but the text is changed to "Microsoft Codename Whistler Server Family" and arranged differently without the "Built on NT technology" text.

Technique: Real-time computer graphics.

Sounds: Same as Windows 2000, Neptune and ME (Millennium Edition).

Availability: The Whistler version was only seen on build 2257 of Windows XP. The Server Family version had a longer lifespan as it was used on builds from 2267 to 2433.

2nd Screen (August 25, 2000-January 4, 2001)

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Visuals: There is the then-current Windows flag, but with a white outline instead of black. Below it is the same wordmark as below, but in white, and the word "Codename" in dark grey. Below all this, there is a progress bar, which consists of a dotted line, with some dots glowing white, scrolling from left to right.

Technique: Real-time computer graphics.

Sounds: Same as the previous screen.

Availability: Seen on builds 2264-2416 of Windows XP.

3rd Screen (January 13-15, 2001)

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Visuals: There is the same wordmark from before, but behind it to the left is the Windows flag, this time in dark gray, and without its colors. Below the wordmark is a progress bar, which consists of four rectangle lines, each one bearing one of the windows colors, lighting up one by one.

Technique: Real-time computer graphics.

Sounds: Same as the last two screens.

Availability: Only seen on build 2419 of Windows XP.

4th Screen (January 29-May 8, 2001)

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Visuals: Essentially the same as Build 2264, but the wordmark is now much more in line with the final Windows XP wordmark, with the word "Codename" now being grey, the progress bar being the same as Build 2419 (albeit the stripes are united instead of being separated), and the Windows flag, now bearing its then-new modernized design, (designed by Casey Potter Design, which by then had been completed after a pair of prototypes were created), but in white. At the bottom of the screen is the text "Beta 2 Release" which is above the copyright info, with it, along with the Microsoft logo in the upper-right-hand corner, being in gray.

Technique: Real-time computer graphics.

Sounds: Same as the last three screens.

Availability: Seen on builds 2428-2469 of Windows XP.

5th Screen (May 8, 2001-April 9, 2019)

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  Build 2474
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  Professional
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  Freestyle
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  Media Center Edition
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  Service Pack 2
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  Tablet PC Edition
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  Windows XP Advanced Server (build 2493)
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  Windows XP Advanced Server (build 3505)
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  Windows XP Advanced Server Limited Edition (builds 3531-3544)
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  Windows.NET Server Family (builds 3590-3678)
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  Windows.NET Server 2003 (builds 3681-3742)
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  Windows Server 2003 (builds 3757+)
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Screens: On a black background, the then-current Windows flag logo (which has been redesigned to have only the colored "panels"; the first panel might be red-orange or orange), along with the text below:

Microsoft------------
Windows^xp

fading in. Below that is a blue progress bar (a la Windows 2000). In the bottom-left corner is a copyright notice, and on the bottom-right is the then-current Microsoft logo.

Variants:

• On Builds 2474-2475 of XP, the progress bar is replaced with the words "loading..." slowly fading in and out, Also, a "version 2002" label is present, which was removed in build 2485.
• Prior to Service Pack 2 of XP, the edition name would appear on the bottom of the XP wordmark (on the Home Edition however, the progress bar would appear green).
• On computers running the 64-bit version of Windows XP, either the word "64-Bit Edition" (for the Itanium version) or "x64 Edition" (for the AMD64 version) is added under the XP logo.
• When Windows XP is first installed, the normal logo is seen with the progress bar replaced with the words "Please wait..."
• On Windows Server 2003, the name was changed to its appropriate title. The progress bar is gray.
• On Windows Home Server, the XP flag is replaced by a newer glossier version of the flag first seen in Windows Vista, and the text "Windows Home Server" is seen in Segoe UI, Like with Server 2003, the progress bar is gray.

Technique: Real-time computer graphics.

Sounds:

• Original Version:
  • Startup:
    • Builds 2474-2481: Same as Windows 2000, ME, Neptune and Whistler.
    • Builds 2481-2600: A six-note piano tune with a rising string section at the end. Composed and conducted by Bill Brown and performed by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.
  • Logon:
    • Builds 2481-2600: A two-note piano tune with similar strings.
  • Logoff:
    • Builds 2481-2600: A different two-note piano tune with similar strings.
  • Shutdown:
    • Builds 2474-2481: Same as Windows 2000, ME, Neptune and Whistler.
    • Builds 2481-2600: A four-note piano tune with similar strings, based off the startup sound.
• Microsoft Plus! Sounds:
  • Default:
    • Startup: Same as original.
    • Logon: Same as original.
    • Logoff: Same as original.
    • Shutdown: Same as original.
  • Aquarium:
    • Startup: An ascending xylophone/synth tune, with a synth note held in.
    • Shutdown: Water sounds and clicking.
  • Da Vinci:
    • Startup: A 3-note harp tune.
    • Shutdown: A 5-note harpsichord tune.
  • Nature:
    • Startup: Bugs, with a bird chirping.
    • Shutdown: Crickets chirping and a wolf howling.
  • Space:
    • Startup: A 3-note trumpet theme, followed by a deep bass synth note. May remind some of 2001: A Space Odyssey.
    • Shutdown: Melodic electronic warbling.

Availability: Windows XP was the most commonly used operating system, and many embedded systems still make use of it. Support ended in April 2014. Also seen in Windows Server 2003 and the last few Windows Whistler betas, as well as early pre-reset Windows Longhorn builds until build 4011, and early post-reset builds until build 5048. It can still commonly be seen on computers running Windows Embedded 2009, as well as at ATMs, banks, libraries and especially hospitals. Support for the embedded OS was fully discontinued on April 9, 2019.

Legacy: People who grew up using Windows XP consider this as very nostalgic. Also, the startup and shutdown sounds are also considered and became "memes."

Windows Longhorn/Windows Vista/Windows 7

Background

Windows Vista, codenamed Longhorn, introduced the Aero design language, which the desktop UI was based on, and User Account Control (UAC). Vista was criticized for issues, among them most features causing UAC pop-ups to appear before use as well as high system requirements, and a new operating system, Windows 7, was made.

1st Screen (March 5-September 5, 2003)

Visuals: Same as Windows XP, but the XP logo is replaced by a silver version of the Windows flag with the text "Microsoft Longhorn" on the right, the copyright notices and the Microsoft logo were removed as well. This is all situated slightly lower on the screen.

Technique: Real-time computer graphics.

Sounds: Same as Windows XP.

Sounds Trivia:

• There is a widespread myth that Longhorn allegedly used a different system sound scheme than XP. While pleasant to hear, no build of Longhorn has ever used these, instead using the XP, and later Vista sounds. The sounds were from a sound scheme made by Sixième Son for certain Samsung computers running Windows XP.
  • Despite this, one of the sounds for said theme was later reused as the 'Cosmic Radio' notification tone on Samsung smartphones made by Wingtech under license from Samsung.

Availability: Seen on Longhorn builds 4011-4042 (main), which replaced the XP boot screen used in early Longhorn builds.

2nd Screen (September 9, 2003-August 19, 2004)

Visuals: Same as the last screen, but the Longhorn logo is different, This time we see the colored Windows flag (carried from XP) situated smaller on the screen, with the text "Longhorn", and the text "Microsoft Windows Code Name" above it, The progress bar was recolored to orange.

Technique: Real-time computer graphics.

Sounds: Same as before.

Availability: Seen on Longhorn from builds 4042 (lab06)-4093, which were made before the reset, builds after the reset until 5048 used XP's boot screen with an updated copyright notice.

3rd Screen (April 25-August 19, 2004)

Visuals: On a black background, there is a glossy and shiny progress bar whose color changes throughout.

• Teal and Green
• Blue/Purple and Pink
• Red and Yellow
  • After this, the bar's animation loops

as it fades in, a copyright notice is seen below the progress bar, then the text changes to the following text.

• "loading Windows Codename Longhorn"
• "You're professional."
• "Intuitive."
• "Clean."
• "Approachable."
• "♡ Longhorn"

After the final text, the screen fades out.

Technique: CGI graphics.

Sounds: Same as before.

Availability: First added in Longhorn build 4074, but it was not enabled by default due to the need of LDM (Longhorn Driver Model) drivers; trying to enable this boot screen will result in a black screen. No LDM drivers were released for builds 4074-4093 but it can still be found in the files.

4th Screen (April 1, 2005-July 26, 2006)

Visuals: Same as the 2nd screen, but the Longhorn logo once again has been changed. This time the logo is a white version of the Windows logo situated bigger on the screen, with the text "Windows Code Name" above and "LONGHORN" on the bottom, the progress bar was recolored to gray like in Windows Server 2003, copyright text is seen in the bottom of the screen.

Later Variant: Starting in build 5308.6, the boot screen no longer displays both the Longhorn text and the white Windows flag, and the copyright text now says "Windows © 2006 Microsoft Corporation" in the Segoe UI font.

Technique: Real-time computer graphics.

Sounds: Same as before.

Availability: Seen on post-reset Longhorn (later Windows Vista starting from build 5219) from builds 5048-5487.

5th Screen (February 2, 2006-April 10, 2012 (end of production), April 11, 2017 (extended support))

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  Phase 1
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  Phase 2
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  Early version

Visuals:

• Phase 1: Same as the last few screens, but the progress bar is enhanced with sharper edges and is green. "© Microsoft Corporation" is seen below the progress bar. The Windows logo is not present, as it appears in the next phase of the startup process.
• Phase 2: On a black background, a blue glossy orb with the then-current Windows flag logo quickly fades in. Then, the edges of the panes begin to glow, until the glow reaches outside of the orb and stops at corners, forming a square shape.

Variant:

• Phase 1: During the screen's first month, the copyright text is "© 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved." much like the later version of the 4th screen.
• Phase 2: An early version exists where the Windows orb and the glow are slightly different compared to the final.
  • This could still be seen at the start of the 'Windows Energy' screensaver.

Technique: Real-time computer graphics with CGI animation.

Sounds:

• Startup (build 5469-build 5840.16384): Same as Windows XP.
• Shutdown (build 5469, build 5477-build 5840.16384): A two-note synth chime theme, which went on to become the logoff sound in Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11.
• Startup (post-build 5840.16384): Four high pitched synth chimes accompanied by a mellow synth pad.
• Shutdown (post-build 5840.16384): A synth chime note.

Sounds Trivia:

• The system sounds, including the startup and shutdown sounds, were composed by Robert Fripp, the lead guitarist of the progressive rock band King Crimson.
• The four notes in the startup represent each syllable in the name "Windows Vista".

Availability: Seen on Windows Vista.

• Phase 1: It was first used in Windows Vista as the main boot screen. Windows 7 replaced this screen early on in development, but it was still used in several Windows 7 versions such as Windows 7 Starter and Windows Server 2008 R2, as well as when the System Recovery Options menu is loaded. The screen still exists in Windows 8, 8.1, 10 and 11 and can be enabled via using a tweak.
• Phase 2: This precedes the logon screen, as the actual boot screen (described above) is very similar to the previous one.

6th Screen (November 8, 2006-April 10, 2012 (end of production), April 11, 2017 (extended support)

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Visuals: On a black background, there is a green-blue aurora faintly showing (the same background shown during Windows Vista's setup). Underneath it is "Starting Windows Vista" in Consolas.

Later Variant: The aurora uses a different background (the same one used in the login screen in Windows Vista) and "Starting Windows Vista" is absent.

Technique: A digital graphic.

Sounds: Same as before.

Availability: This was not used as the main bootscreen (the last screen was used instead) in Windows Vista, but used as the "No GUI" boot screen. To enable it, open System Configuration Utility -> Boot -> No GUI Boot box, and then restart the system. The later variant was used in Service Packs 1 and 2 of Windows Vista. Also seen on early builds of Windows 7.

7th Screen (October 2, 2007)

Visuals: On a black background, there is a big dark blue stylized "7" with lines around it, at the center of the "7" is a light cyan Windows logo.

Technique: A digital graphic.

Sounds: Same as Windows Vista.

Availability: It was only seen in Build 6469 of Windows 7, it is not the main bootscreen but rather the "No GUI" boot screen, which replaces the last screen in this build.

8th Screen (December 20, 2007-May 11, 2008)

Visuals: On a green-blue aurora background (the same one as the later variant of the 7th screen), a white shine acting as a progress bar of sorts is seen, no Windows logos or copyright notices are seen.

Technique: CGI graphics.

Sounds: Same as Windows Vista.

Availability: Seen on Builds 6519-6608 of Windows 7.

9th Screen (June 12, 2008)

Visuals: On a different green-blue aurora background, there are the words "Starting Windows..." at the center of the screen.

Technique: CGI graphics.

Sounds: Same as Windows Vista.

Availability: Only seen on Build 6730 of Windows 7.

10th Screen (August 29-October 23, 2008)

Visuals: On a black background, there are the words "Starting Windows..." from before. Then, a newer version of the Vista progress bar, similar to the Longhorn 4074-4093 screen but in blue, appears. A copyright notice is seen at the bottom.

Technique: CGI graphics.

Sounds: Same as Windows Vista.

Availability: Seen on Builds 6780-6936 of Windows 7.

11th Screen (November 2, 2008-July 1, 2011 (end of production), January 14, 2020 (extended support))

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Visuals: On a black background, there are the words "Starting Windows" and a copyright notice. Suddenly, four colored orbs appear and move around a bit until they form the panels of the then-current Windows logo. The edges of the panels glow for a while.

Variants:

• If the computer is resuming from a previous session, the text will say "Resuming Windows".
• When a system running Windows 7 is in the middle of an update, after a few seconds, "Starting Windows" changes to "Applying update operation {{{1}}} of {{{2}}} (filename.filetype)", wherein {{{1}}} is the number of the active update, whereas {{{2}}} is the total amount of updates to the system.

Technique: CGI animation.

Sounds: Same as Windows Vista.

Availability: Seen on Windows 7, which is not supported anymore--however, as with Windows XP, some public machines still run this version of Windows.

Windows 8.x, 10 and 11/Windows Server 2012-2025/Windows 10X (cancelled)

Background

Windows 8, released in 2012, introduced a major overhaul in the desktop UI based on the Metro design language, including the Start screen, the Charms bar, the redesigned Task Manager, and the new File Explorer with a ribbon toolbar. Due to criticism, Microsoft released Windows 8.1 in 2013. Windows 8.1 restored the Start button after it was removed in Windows 8. Windows 10, released in 2015, reintroduced the Start menu and introduced Universal Windows Platform (UWP), Microsoft Edge, Cortana (a artificial intelligence named after the AI from the Halo franchise), and Task View. Windows 11, released in 2021, introduced another major UI overhaul, including updates to the Fluent Design System, a redesigned Start menu, a center-aligned taskbar, a Notification Center and a Quick Settings menu.

Screen (March 30, 2011-)

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Codenames:

• Windows 8: "Windows 8"
• Windows 8.1: "Blue"
• Windows Server 2012: "8 Server"
• Windows 10: "Threshold", "Redstone", "Titanium", "Vanadium", "Vibranium", "Iron"
• Windows Server 2016-2025: "Redstone", "Titanium", "Vanadium", "Vibranium", "Iron", "Germanium"
• Windows 10X: "Santorini", "Windows Lite"
• Windows 11: "Sun Valley", "Cobalt", "Nickel"

Visuals:

• Milestone 3 (builds 7973 (fbl_core1_kernel_npc)-8056): On a black background, there is a betta fish, with bubbles coming out of its mouth (in a static image, taken from the Windows 7 beta wallpaper). At the bottom of the screen is the word "Welcome". Then is dots going around in a circle.
• Developer Preview (builds 8064-8195, 8277): Same as build 7973 (fbl_core1_kernel_npc), except the betta fish is replaced with the words "Windows Developer Preview", in white. The registered trademark symbol is seen next to the word "Windows". The word "Welcome" is also omitted.
• Consumer Preview (builds 8250-8331): Same as build 7973 (fbl_core1_kernel_npc), except the betta fish is rendered in a flat bitmap file, itself rendered inside a blue square. Inside the square is a barely-legible "8", resembling Windows 8. The word "Welcome" is also omitted.
• Release Preview (builds 8375-8509): Same as the Developer Preview, except this time "Developer Preview" is omitted.
• Windows 8-10:
  • RTM (build 8513) and onward: Same as the Release Preview, except the text is replaced with the current Windows logo (consisted of a simple window tilted to the left), colored light-blue.
• Builds 9431-9466 (Windows 8.1): Same as build 8513, except the Windows logo is replaced with an updated cartoony version of the betta fish.
• Windows 11 onward: Same as build 8513, except the Windows logo is replaced with the Microsoft squares, in a dark blue gradient (bearing a resemblance to the Microsoft logo or the front-facing Windows flag, consists of a simple window tilted to the front).

Variants:

• On some computers, the computer or motherboard manufacturer's logo (e.g. Aorus, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, MSI) replaces the Windows logo.
• On the Surface Studio all-in-one desktop, the background is colored dark grey.
• Starting with Windows 10 Build 19587, the dots are replaced with a loading bar going around in a circle. This version wasn't enabled initially by default without changing registry key, which would be enabled later in Windows 10X and Windows 11 2022 Update.

Trivias:

• The 2012 Windows logo (starting with the RTM (build 8888) and onward) was unveiled in February 2012 and was created by Wolff Olins and Pentagram.
• The 2021 Windows logo is very similar to the Windows 95 commercials from the mid-1990s, the Microsoft Store logo from 2009-2012, and Microsoft's 2012 logo, but retains the color of Windows 10's logo.

Technique: 2D computer animation.

Sounds:

• Startup:
  • Windows 8-10: None by default, though when enabled it's the same as Windows Vista and Windows 7.
  • Windows 11: A 3-note synth theme.
• Shutdown:
  • Windows 8 builds 7973-8176: Same as the previous.
  • All builds since Windows 8 build 8195: None.

Sounds Trivia: An unique startup sound was made for Windows 8, but was scrapped as a Microsoft executive complained it was waking up his newborn baby whenever he turned on his laptop.

Availability: Can be found on any computer running Windows 8, 8.1, 10, or 11.

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