Who wrote the Windows XP welcome music?

[Geoff_M]

OK, here's an off the wall music question. I just set up our newest addition to the family computer network. It's a Windows XP Home Edition machine. During the Windows registration process the first time you fire up the computer there's some great music that plays in the background. It's sort of a mellow synth type music and it's great. It's sort of like "Moby meets Genesis's instrumental version of 'Home By The Sea'."

My question is: Who wrote it? I know Brian Eno has done work for Microsoft before (Windows 95 start-up WAV), but this is a full blown piece and is 5:45 long. If you have XP Home Edition you can find it in the c:\i386 directory under the name "TITLE". When you play it in a media player the title is "Windows Welcome Music" and the author is listed as "Microsoft". Anybody have any ideas???

 

[PandyPaws]

Hmmm....interesting. The very beginning almost sounds familiar, like I expect it to lead into a song that I know, but just can't place. I'm sorry I can't help, though. I do like it

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have Pro edition and same is there too, Geoff. Very nice piece. Maybe Bill wrote it. I keep thinking Enya is going to start singing something beautiful here.

 

[PandyPaws]

ROTFL...at mySELF!!!

I finally figured out what song it was triggering in my head....
and the music style is not even CLOSE!!

Although...the first couple of notes ARE close (well, I guess close enough to trigger it in MY strange brain, anyway, LOL ) I have not heard this song in YEARS!! From the 80's...a dance club tune, Small Town Boy, by Bronski Beat...

Click here if you care to hear a sample

 

[Dan Murphy]

Yes, very similar start, then sounds like Annie Lennox. And sounds good too!!!