Windows has a built-in alarm app you can use without installing anything

Your Windows PC comes with an Alarms & Clock app already installed. You open it, set the time you want to wake up or be reminded, and Windows will alert you even if you are not actively using the computer. The alarm will sound through your speakers, and you can choose from several built-in sounds or upload your own audio file.

The app works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you use your PC as a bedroom alarm or need reminders during the workday, this is faster than setting phone alarms and keeps your computer engaged in a useful way.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Alarms & Clock by typing its name into the Windows search box, or find it in the Start menu under All Apps.
  • Click the plus icon to add a new alarm, set the time, choose a sound, and toggle the alarm on.
  • You can set the alarm to repeat on specific days of the week, or leave it as a one-time alert.
  • Windows will show a notification and play sound through your speakers, and you can snooze or dismiss the alarm when it goes off.
  • If you want alarms to work while your PC is asleep, you may need to adjust power settings so the computer does not fully shut down.

Opening the Alarms & Clock app

The fastest way to reach the app is to click the Windows search box (the magnifying glass icon on your taskbar) and type Alarms & Clock. The app will appear at the top of the results. Click it to open.

If you prefer to browse, click the Start button, then scroll down to find Alarms & Clock in the alphabetical list of all apps. You can also pin it to your Start menu or taskbar for quicker access next time.

Creating a new alarm

Once the app is open, you will see a tab labeled Alarm at the top. Click the plus icon (usually in the bottom right or top right, depending on your Windows version) to add a new alarm.

A panel will appear asking you to set the time. Use the hour and minute fields to enter when you want the alarm to sound. Below that, you will see a dropdown menu for the alarm sound — click it to hear samples of the built-in options like Alarm Clock, Chime, or Radar. If none of those suit you, look for an option to browse your computer for a custom audio file (an MP3 or WAV file you have saved).

Setting the alarm to repeat or run once

By default, an alarm runs only once. If you want it to repeat on certain days — for example, every weekday at 7 a.m. — look for a Repeat toggle or dropdown. Click it and select which days of the week the alarm should sound. You can choose individual days or select a preset like "Weekdays" or "Every day."

If you leave the repeat setting off, the alarm will sound once at the time you set and then stop. This is useful for one-time reminders or a single wake-up call.

Turning the alarm on and managing it

After you have set the time, sound, and repeat pattern, look for a toggle switch next to the alarm. Make sure it is switched on (usually shown in blue or green). The alarm will not sound if the toggle is off.

Once the alarm is active, you can see it listed in the Alarms & Clock app. If you need to change it later, click on the alarm to edit the time, sound, or repeat days. To remove an alarm entirely, click the trash or delete icon next to it.

What happens when the alarm sounds

When the alarm time arrives, Windows will display a notification on your screen and play the sound you selected through your speakers. A window will pop up with options to Snooze (usually for 10 minutes) or Dismiss (turn it off). Click whichever you prefer.

If you do not interact with the alarm, it will keep sounding and the notification will stay on screen until you dismiss it. The alarm will not stop on its own, so you will need to click the dismiss button or close the notification window.

Making sure alarms work when your PC is asleep

If your computer goes into sleep mode or hibernation, the alarm may not sound. To keep alarms working, you can adjust your power settings so the PC stays awake or wakes up when the alarm is due.

Open Settings (press Windows key + I), then go to System and Power & battery. Look for Sleep settings and set the sleep timer to a longer duration, or turn off sleep entirely if you want the PC to stay fully awake. Some users prefer to leave their PC on all the time if they rely on alarms regularly.

Alternatively, you can use your PC's BIOS or firmware settings to allow wake-on-alarm, but this varies by manufacturer and is more technical. For most home users, straightforward keeping the PC awake or in a light sleep state is the simpler solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my own music as an alarm sound?

Yes. When you create or edit an alarm, click the sound dropdown and look for an option to browse your files. Navigate to an MP3 or WAV file on your computer and select it. The alarm will play that file when it goes off.

What if I do not hear the alarm?

Check that your speakers are plugged in and turned on, and that the volume is not muted or set very low. Also confirm the alarm toggle is switched on in the app. If your PC is in sleep mode, the alarm may not sound — adjust your power settings to keep the computer awake or in a light sleep state.

Can I set multiple alarms for different times?

Yes. Click the plus icon again to add another alarm with a different time and sound. You can have as many alarms as you need, and each one can have its own repeat schedule.

Will the alarm sound if I close the Alarms & Clock app?

Yes. Once you have set the alarm and toggled it on, you can close the app and the alarm will still sound at the scheduled time. The app runs in the background.

How do I stop a repeating alarm from going off every day?

Open the Alarms & Clock app, click on the alarm you want to change, and toggle off the repeat setting or select specific days instead of every day. Save the changes and the alarm will follow the new schedule.