Windows 11 Dark Mode with Light Mode sounds

Question

Windows 11 Dark Mode with Light Mode sounds

Panzerfan 0

Until today I was using Dark Mode (just he task bar, windows i kept in light mode) and my system was playing Light mode sounds.
I didn't even know dark mode sounds were a thing and i quite frankly don't like them.
I already tried to set up custom sounds, but the system won't accept me selecting the old sounds. And Windows 11 wouldn't let me overwrite the dark mode sounds in the :C/Windows/media/dm/ folder

tldr: How do I use Dark Mode with Light Mode sounds?

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Answer 1

Emma1-N 11,865 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Welcome Panzerfan,

I understand how frustrating it can be when Windows 11 automatically associates different sound schemes with Light and Dark themes.

To check whether Windows will allow you to switch back to the Light sound scheme:

Press Windows + R.
Type mmsys.cpl and press Enter.
Open the Sounds tab.
Under Sound Scheme, see if Windows Default is available and apply it.

Could you also confirm your Windows 11 version? Go to Settings > System > About and provide the OS Build number. That will help determine whether you're running a version where Dark/Light sound behavior has changed.

Looking for your update.

Panzerfan 0 Reputation points

2026-08-13T23:37:27.5566667+00:00

I tried changing the sounds in the Sound Tab you mentioned manually, but that didn't work either
my build number is 26200.9168
Emma1-N 11,865 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-15T10:33:13.8133333+00:00
Hello Panzerfan,

Thank you for the update. Since manually changing the sound scheme also does not stick on build 26200.9168, this is likely related to how your current Windows Insider build handles theme-linked sounds.

Please try a quick test:

Switch to Light Mode.

Set the sound scheme you want in mmsys.cpl.

Switch back to Dark Mode and check whether Windows changes the sounds again.
Panzerfan 0 Reputation points

2026-08-15T13:20:28.27+00:00

I just tried that. Sadly it didn't work
Emma1-N 11,865 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-17T03:29:12.31+00:00
Hello Panzerfan,

Since the sound scheme is still being overwritten, let's check whether the Dark Mode sound files themselves can be replaced manually:

Open File Explorer and browse to C:\Windows\Media\dm.

Compare the files in that folder with the corresponding files in C:\Windows\Media.

Try copying one Light Mode sound file (for example, the notification sound) into another folder such as Documents.

In mmsys.cpl > Sounds, select the event, click Browse, and choose the copied file from Documents instead of the built-in Media folders.

Try this and let me know the result.
Panzerfan 0 Reputation points

2026-08-17T15:35:42.9833333+00:00

Already tried that, like I mentioned in the opening post. Despite being set as admin, Windows wouldn't let me repalce the files
Emma1-N 11,865 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-18T04:43:32.35+00:00

Hello Panzerfan,

Thanks for confirming. If Windows is blocking the file replacement even when you're signed in as an administrator, that's expected behavior. The files under C:\Windows\Media\dm\ are protected system files and are typically owned by TrustedInstaller, so administrator rights alone are often not sufficient to modify or overwrite them.

Since manually changing the sounds from the Sounds control panel and replacing the files directly have both been unsuccessful, it does not appear to be a permissions issue with your user account. It may be related to a change in how build 26200.9168 handles the Dark/Light theme sound association.