Windows 95 Media Directory Audio Files

When Windows 95 was released, Microsoft included a dedicated set of audio files within the C:\Windows\Media directory to showcase multimedia capabilities and enable users to test their sound cards. This article outlines the specific MIDI and WAV audio files packaged with the operating system for audio verification and system alerts.

MIDI Test Files

MIDI files were the primary method for testing multi-instrument synthesizer playback and Sound Blaster-compatible hardware. The default installation included two primary MIDI files:

  • canyon.mid: Composed by George Stone, this is the most famous sample track in early Windows history. It was specifically engineered to demonstrate FM synthesis and General MIDI capabilities, using dynamic instrument layering that allowed users to verify if their sound card was correctly mapping channels.
  • passport.mid: Another General MIDI arrangement provided alongside canyon.mid to ensure complex sequences and polyphony worked across different consumer sound cards.

System WAV Files

Windows 95 installed several waveform audio (.wav) files in the Media directory. While these primarily functioned as system event sounds, they also served as the primary check for basic digital audio output:

  • The Microsoft Sound.wav: The iconic, six-second ambient startup chime composed by Brian Eno. It tested rich stereo waveform playback upon booting.
  • tada.wav: A short, triumphant orchestral fanfare carried over from Windows 3.1, often used as the completion sound for tasks and software setups.
  • chimes.wav: A clean, high-register chime used for general alerts and testing high-frequency output.
  • chord.wav: A rich, polyphonic chord sample used for standard warnings.
  • ding.wav: A brief, single-frequency alert sound used for default system stops or invalid inputs.
  • logoff.wav: The concluding sound played during the system shutdown sequence.
  • notify.wav: A subtle alert indicating background events or notifications.
  • recycle.wav: A sound effect representing paper crumpling, played when emptying the Recycle Bin.

Retail CD Multimedia Samples

While not placed into the C:\Windows\Media directory by default, users installing from the Windows 95 CD-ROM had access to additional media files designed for performance testing in the \FUNSTUFF folder:

  • weezer.avi: The music video for Weezer's "Buddy Holly," used to test combined audio and video synchronization.
  • goodtime.avi: The music video for Edie Brickell's "Good Times," also used as an audio-video benchmark for Video for Windows technology.