Automatically Mute Windows on Shut Down

AutoMute - a little portable program designed specifically for this. Automatically mutes on logoff, shutdown, so the next start up is quiet. Also enables a keyboard shortcut for quick quieting down.

"To complement lc's answer, I suggest that you create a WSH script, like the one below. Write the following code in Notepad, then save it as a mute.vbs file:

Set WshShell = CreateObject(""WScript.Shell"")
For i=1 To 100
WshShell.SendKeys(chr(&hAE))
Next

(based on an article found with Google at nilpo.com)

The script turns the volume down to minimum (an alternative would be to mute the sound, with the &hAD code; that however would toggle the ""muted"" state, so unless you know how to check the ""muted"" state from the script, you couldn't be sure if the sound is off or on afterwards).

You should be able to register this script for Windows shutdown with the methods linked to by lc in his answer. (Note however, that on Vista Home Premium those are apparently unavailable)."

You could just go into the control panel and remove the startup and shutdown sounds. The exact procedure will vary somewhat by windows version, but on XP look for the "Sounds" tab in the "Sounds and Audio Devices" control panel icon.