How to Silently Startup Your Macintosh

So, you want to startup your Mac and not have everyone in the room know about it. Unfortunately there is no built-in setting that allows you to hear all sounds except the startup sound. And, unlike Windows, plugging headphones into the jack does not prevent the startup chime. However, there are two easy ways to deal with the situation where you need to startup your Mac but don’t want everyone to hear it. One way uses the keyboard and the other uses Sound in System Preferences.

Keyboard (This method does not work on the MacBook.) 

• Holding down the Mute key when you startup allows for a silent startup.
• You may find that the Volume Down Key also works.

Sound in System Preferences

• On the Dock select System Preferences.
• In the Hardware section select Sound.
• Put a check next to Mute.

The good news is that if you plug in headphones into the jack, the mute setting above will automatically be unchecked. You will be able to hear through your headphones without going back to System Preferences. The bad news is that after using the headphones you will have to remember to mute the computer before shutting down.