Microsoft reveals new Windows logo (and no one notices)

By Georgia Coggan 16 December 2019

Redesign is lumped in with over 100 new app icons.

Microsoft has revealed a new Windows logo and a total redesign across a huge 100 of its app icons. But the main thing that stands out about the entire project is how little the new Windows logo stands out. You’d think a brand new Windows logo would be big news in the tech/branding world (and might even be a contender for our best logos post), but the new design is just quietly slotted in there amongst the other icons.

The new Windows logo actually typifies the overall design strategy – so could have been made into the poster child for the redesign. Colour gradients have replaced the flat blue/white, and softer, rounded edges have taken over the traditional squares that previously made up the window.

The redesign strategy is about the unification and connectedness of all of those icons across the visual library. This may be why the Windows icon is simply popped in the midst of the rest of the icons that share its colour gradients.

Has Microsoft not gone big on the Windows logo because it didn’t want to hold up just one logo above the rest? Maybe this was a deliberate choice, so as not to confuse the overall visual branding strategy (or enrage the whole of Twitter, who do love to criticise a logo in isolation). The concept does seem to rely heavily on the icons being visually in sync with each other.

The new icons use a range of colours and are unified under a sleek new aesthetic. This results in a striking overall visual as you can see in the above sample of the 365 range. Before, the app icon library was a bit of a hodge-podge. Some apps have icons dating back decades, whereas some have been updated pretty recently. So the unification of the library was much-needed.

Jon Friedman, corporate vice president of design and research at Microsoft explains that, «we introduced rich gradients, broadened our spectrum of colours, and implemented a dynamic motion with ribbon-like qualities».

According to Friedman, the Fluent Design System, «promotes building off the familiar,» and the finished icon range shows this off, containing mostly tweaks of original designs rather than total overhauls. Those tweaks include gradient colours and rounded edges, as well as a scaling back on detail.

Friedman explains that the finished result needed to signal innovation and change while retaining familiarity for users. “We also had to develop a flexible and open design system to span a range of contexts while still being true to Microsoft», he says.

As usual, reactions are mixed, although to be fair, there haven’t been that many of them. No one seemed to really care too much, particularly about the Windows logo. What little reaction there was seemed to focus on the icons themselves.

Some Twitter users think the scaling back may have gone too far:

[Microsoft design team headquarters]#1: Okay, so the two apps that office workers use constantly are Word and Outlook#2: Right#1: So their icons should be completely indistinguishable.#2: I mean yeahDecember 15, 2019

Others preferred the icons before.

I don’t like them, they look like icons from a child game. What happened with the flat design? I really loved that.December 13, 2019

Whereas some were happy:

Combining customer familiarity with a forward thinking design seems to be a winning strategy as we head into the new decade. Reebok recently utilised this approach, tweaking and streamlining an original vector logo. But the scale of Microsoft’s overhaul is in a different league. Although the reaction to it has been in a league that Microsoft may not have anticipated.

Microsoft reveals new Windows logo design and 100 modern app icons

Fluent Design continues to modernize Microsoft’s OS and apps

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Microsoft is tweaking its Windows logo and the icons for many of the operating system’s apps. We’ve known for a year that the software maker has been planning an icon overhaul, and the company’s new Office icons were only the start. Microsoft is now redesigning more than 100 icons across the company with new colors, materials, and finishes.

It’s part of a bigger push to modernize Microsoft’s software and services under the Fluent Design set of principles. “With the newest wave of icon redesigns, we faced two major creative challenges,” explains Jon Friedman, corporate vice president of design and research at Microsoft. “We needed to signal innovation and change while maintaining familiarity for customers. We also had to develop a flexible and open design system to span a range of contexts while still being true to Microsoft.”

Most of the icon changes aren’t major overhauls, but subtle tweaks that make them look far more consistent when you look at tens of them together at once. Microsoft appears to be focusing part of its design efforts on cleaning up its Windows icon problem. Windows 10 has lots of inconsistent icons appearing in settings and apps, with some old icons dating back decades.

How Microsoft learned from the past to redesign its future

Windows 10X appears to be part of the answer to this problem. The software maker revealed a slightly tweaked Windows logo as part of its Windows 10X announcement earlier this year. Windows 10X is designed for dual-screen devices, and it even has a new Start menu and no more Live Tiles.

The new Windows logo in Windows 10X Image: Microsoft

The existing Windows logo, used in both Windows 8 and Windows 10, is a flat color, while the new logo looks more like a gradient of blue with each quarter representing a different color. Microsoft is also tweaking other areas of Windows 10X, including how you can quickly access the settings panels, the notification center, and more.

Microsoft’s icon work and Fluent Design has been a gradual process, and this will continue throughout 2020. The company’s Edge browser now has a new icon, and even Office itself has a more modern logo. There’s still much to be done, and Microsoft is even trying to tackle mobile design.

Microsoft designers are now working collaboratively internally in what’s described as an “open source” way. Read our full Microsoft design feature from earlier this year to find out how the company has learned from its mistakes to redesign its future.

Microsoft раскрыла дизайн нового логотипа Windows и 100 обновлённых иконок приложений

Microsoft изменит дизайн логотипа платформы Windows и многих иконок приложений операционной системы. О том, что производитель программного обеспечения планирует внести серьёзные изменения в дизайн иконок приложений, было известно давно, и представленные не так давно обновлённые значки приложений Microsoft Office стали только первым шагом на этом пути. Теперь же Microsoft показала более 100 обновлённых иконок для различных приложений, которые выполнены в стиле Fluent Design.

«С новой волной редизайнов иконок мы столкнулись с двумя серьёзными творческими проблемами. Нам требовалось сигнализировать об инновациях и изменениях, сохраняя при этом узнаваемость продуктов для наших пользователей. Кроме того, мы были должны разработать гибкую и открытую систему проектирования, чтобы охватить ряд контекстов, оставшись верными Microsoft», — сказал корпоративный вице-президент Microsoft по дизайну и исследованиям Джон Фридман (Jon Friedman).

Большая часть представленных иконок представляет собой не что-то кардинально новое, а тонко изменённое старое, за счёт чего обновлённые значки выглядят более современно и органично, когда находятся рядом друг с другом. В Windows 10 множество иконок, которые плохо сочетаются друг с другом, а некоторые из них начали использоваться много лет назад и уже не соответствуют современному облику компании.

В текущем логотипе Windows, используемом как в Windows 8, так и в Windows 10, задействован только один цвет. В новом логотипе программной платформы используется нечто, напоминающее градиент, за счёт чего каждый сегмент изображения получает свой собственный цвет.

Уже известно, что на этом работа над обновлением иконок в Microsoft не будет закончена, и в следующем году разработчики представят ещё больше переработанных значков для своих продуктов.

Эволюция логотипов Microsoft Windows – все версии

Microsoft Windows — компания, специализирующаяся на разработке и поддержании функционирования коммерческих операционных систем, управляемых посредством графического интерфейса. Кроме этого, фирма занимается выпуском игровых консолей, компьютерных манипуляторов и аудиоплееров.

Нажмите кнопку «Создать логотип» и конструктор бесплатно предложит для вас варианты лого. Просто выбирайте и начинайте работать!

В настоящее время операционные системы семейства Windows установлены на 88% всех персональных компьютеров.

Основание компании Microsoft Windows

История Microsoft Windows берёт начало в 1975 году. Друзья-студенты Гарварда Билл Гейтс и Пол Аллен узнают о создании персонального компьютера Altair 8800 и решают написать для него интерпретатор языка Basic. В это время товарищи задумываются о том, чтобы открыть собственный бизнес по составлению универсальных языков программирования. Они дают бренду название «Аллен и Гейтс». Однако вскоре, посчитав, что подобное наименование больше подходит для юридической конторы, переименовывают его в «Micro-Soft» (слияние слов «microcomputer» и «software»).

Позже, разрабатывая простую и интуитивно понятную систему управления, где каждая функция работает в отдельном «окне», друзья оставляют рабочее название «Windows». Под этим именем операционная система известна уже несколько десятков лет.

История логотипа Microsoft Windows

Первый логотип Виндовс создан Биллом Гейтсом и Полом Алленом. Он представляет собой скруглённый прямоугольник, разделённый белыми линиями на четыре неравных по размеру прямоугольника. Считается, что эмблема отражает суть функционирования электронного продукта.

Эволюция логотипа Windows

1985 год — начальный символ небесно-голубого цвета. Справа от изображения прямоугольника расположено название компании. В первой строке написано слово «Microsoft», а во второй — «Windows» (оно в 3 раза больше по размеру). Надпись выполнена необычным тонким шрифтом с небольшими засечками.

1992 год — логотип Windows становится цветным. На нем изображен чёрный прямоугольник, изогнутый как развевающийся на ветру флаг. Он в свою очереди делится на четыре равных квадрата: красный, зелёный, синий и жёлтый. Левый край будто «рассыпается» на много небольших квадратов. Ниже также расположилось наименование компании. Шрифт становится толще, однако общий стиль сохраняется.

1995 год — символ остаётся прежним, однако теперь он изображён под наклоном и цвета становятся тусклее. Надписи также меняют положения на логотипе. Слово «Windows» находится прямо под иконкой, а «Microsoft» — слева, вертикально, мелким шрифтом. Стиль надписи становится иным: буквы значительно вытягиваются кверху и сливаются друг с другом. Кроме этого, у буквы N два слоя на крайних границах.

2001 год — появляется логотип известной версии Microsoft Windows XP. Графическая составляющая также представлена четырьмя квадратами. Однако теперь они помещены на белый фон и имеют более выраженный изгиб. Квадраты изображены с небольшим объемом. Под ним расположено название компании: большое слово «Windows» и маленькое (слева, сверху) — «Microsoft». Также справа надпись дополнена обозначением версии операционной системы.

2007 год — появляется логотип Windows Vista. Эмблема теперь выглядит более объёмной. Появляется синий градиентный круг, в который помещён «флаг». Ниже помещена надпись «Windows Vista» (исчезло слово «Microsoft»), выполненная рубленным шрифтом без засечек. Первое слово названия выделено жирным.

2009 год — компания представляет логотип Windows 7. От предыдущего он отличается прозрачной подложкой вместо синего круга. Под графическим компонентом написано название — «Windows 7» (цифра по размеру чуть больше слова).

2012 год — логотип Виндовс 8 плоский, полностью светло-голубой. Квадраты, которые использовались во всех версиях лого, стали одного цвета. Они расположены немного по-другому: увеличиваются слева-направо. В целом иконка теперь напоминает окно. Название версии находится справа от символа. Шрифтовой стиль остался такой же, как в эмблеме 2009 года, но расстояние между буквами уменьшилось.

2015 год — логотип Windows 10 меняет цвет на более насыщенный синий. В целом, композиция сохраняется та же. Единственные изменения — шрифт становится тоньше, и меняется цифра, обозначающая версию.

Заключение

Все логотипы Windows (в том числе Виндовс 7 и 10) — отличный пример простой, стильной, качественной эмблемы, которая прекрасно презентует продукт.

Продуктовый и графический дизайнер с опытом работы более 10 лет. Пишу о брендинге, дизайне логотипов и бизнесе.

Microsoft Windows

This page is about Microsoft Windows, the desktop-oriented operating system for computers. For other Microsoft Windows branded products and brands, see Microsoft Windows (disambiguation).

For other related logos and images, see:

Windows 1.0/2.0

1985–2001

Windows 1.0 and 2.0 were the first versions of Windows made. These versions of Windows were just to add a visual guide to DOS. The logo slightly resembles the Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 logo, except that the vertical lines were in different places. Support ended on December 31, 2001.

Windows 3.0

1990–2001

The original blue logo was removed, and replaced with a darker Windows logo with a black-and-white gradient. This logo looks more like a window.

Windows 3.0 was the version that first introduced Program Manager (predecessor of Start Menu and Taskbar), which made Windows popular because it was easier to use than 1.0 and 2.0. This logo for Windows 3.0 was seen on some software boxes, but rarely seen anywhere on actual OEM products for Windows 3.0 itself. Windows 3.0’s support ended on December 31, 2001.

Windows 3.1x

1992–2001

Windows 3.1 was an updated version of Windows 3.0 with several enhancements to the still MS-DOS-based platform, including improved system stability, expanded support for multimedia, Truetype fonts, and workgroup networking. The iconic four colored Windows logo was introduced with Windows 3.1. The rest of the 3.1x series included Windows 3.11, Windows 3.2 and Windows for Workgroups, where slight changes were made to the colors of the logo. This logo also would have a trail behind it.

Support for the Windows 3.1x line of operating systems ended on December 31, 2001.

Windows NT 3.1

1993–2001

Windows NT 3.1, the first version of Windows NT and first 32-bit Windows, was introduced in July 27, 1993. Windows NT 3.1 was based on the Windows 3.1 desktop environment and came with two editions, Windows NT 3.1 for Workstation and Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server. This logo is mostly the same as the 3.1x logo, but with some slight differences including shading on the blocks and flag, the size of the «MICROSOFT WINDOWS» text being changed, and the «NT» text being added.

Support for Windows NT 3.1 ended on December 31, 2000, along with mainstream support for Windows 95, becoming the first operating system in the Microsoft Windows line to phase out support.

Windows NT 3.5x

1994–2001

Windows NT 3.5 was released on September 21, 1994, and Windows NT 3.51 was released on May 30, 1995. Like its predecessor (Windows NT 3.1), both versions had the same desktop environment from Windows 3.1 and Windows NT 3.1. Both versions also came with two editions, Server and Workstation. In this logo, the flag was tilted to the right (as it would be for most future appearances until Windows XP was released), the «WINDOWS» text became much larger, the «Microsoft» text was no longer in all caps, and it was placed to the left of the «WINDOWS» text.

Support for Windows NT 3.5 and 3.51 ended on December 31, 2001 (Windows NT 3.51 Server Edition ended on September 30, 2002).

Windows 95

1995–2001

Windows 95 was released on August 24, 1995, with lots of new features, mainly the graphical user interface, Start Menu, Windows Explorer, and the taskbar. MSN also launched the same day. Windows 95 also introduced a redesigned shell based around a desktop metaphor; the desktop was re-purposed to hold shortcuts to applications, files and folders, reminiscent of Mac OS. The «Microsoft Windows» text changed fonts, «Windows» is no longer in all caps (and it is also in an extra bold font), «Microsoft» was no longer on the left of the «Windows» text, and the «95» text was added. Windows 95 is the first operating system in the 9x family. Extended support ended on December 31, 2001 (mainstream support ended on December 31, 2000).

Windows NT 4.0

1996–2004

Windows NT 4.0 was released on July 31, 1996, and for general availability on August 24, 1996, which is the same release date as Windows 95 OSR 2. Windows NT 4.0 brought desktop environment and several features from Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0 also had five editions, Workstation, Server, Server, Enterprise Edition, Terminal Server Edition and Embedded. This logo is mostly the same as the Windows 95 logo, but «95» was replaced with an extra bold «NT».

Extended support ended on June 30, 2004 (mainstream support ended on June 30, 2002).

Windows 98/98 SE

1998–2006

Windows 98 was released on June 25, 1998. In May 1999, Microsoft released Windows 98 SE (Second Edition, incorrectly referred to as Windows 99) which fixes bugs and problems from Windows 98. Windows 98 SE didn’t have an official logo. The logo is the same as in 95, but «95» was replaced with «98».

Extended support ended on July 11, 2006 (mainstream support ended on June 30, 2002). This made it the first version of Windows to be supported to any date other than December 31, 2001.

Windows 2000

1999–2010

Windows 2000 was first released for business customers on December 17, 1999, and for general availability on February 17, 2000. The system is NT based, not part of the 9x series. It was used both for server computers and regular computers. Windows 2000 brought many features and improvement from Windows 9x. The font is still the same as in 95 and 98, but it says «2000». The flag is still there, but now there are five windows, four of which are blue and white (with the flag being in the window in the front), and the one in the bottom-left being orange and red.

Extended support ended on July 13, 2010 (mainstream support ended on June 30, 2005).

Windows Millennium Edition

2000–2006

Windows ME, released on September 14, 2000, was known to be one of the worst Windows versions, as it was known to crash far too often and contained a lot of bugs. Thus, it’s not commonly seen being used among Windows users. Windows ME is the last version of Windows 9x which was based on MS-DOS (because of this, it was also the last version to have support for most MS-DOS games). There are still the windows in this logo, but now there are only three of them: an orange one in the back, a blue one in the center, and a green one in the front (which had the flag in it). Instead of saying the year, it says «Me» in a fancy font with «Millennium Edition» under it.

Extended support ended for Windows ME on July 11, 2006, alongside Windows 98 (mainstream support ended on December 31, 2003).

Windows XP

2001–2014

In 2001, Microsoft overhauled the Windows logo again giving it much more of a clean feel. The Windows logo was simplified, removing the black borders and squares flowing behind it. The logo was also given a ‘plastic’ feel to it. It was created to match Windows XP which had a very clean feel. It used the Franklin Gothic Medium font for the text.

Windows XP was released on October 25, 2001, it was the first version of consumer edition based on NT and introduced a new look and feel to the desktop and the majority of the system in general, with its Luna theme and tons of new features. It was known to be the longest supported version in the 21st century part of the history of Windows. Windows XP was one of the most popular of the Microsoft Windows OS Versions. It was also the last version to have support for MS-DOS.

Extended support ended on April 8, 2014 (mainstream support ended on April 14, 2009).

Windows Vista

2006–2017

In Mid-2005, Microsoft modified their 2001 logo to add a glow in the center of the logo and change the font to Segoe. The «Microsoft» text was removed from the logo and since then, it’s been referred to as simply, «Windows». Windows Vista was initially released for business customers on November 30, 2006, and for general availability on January 30, 2007. The system was not commonly seen being used among Windows users because of high requirements and some bugs.

While Windows Vista was also turned down by many, it did come with lots of new features and design tweaks. Some of the system’s most notable features are New Aero design, Sidebar and Widgets, Windows Defender, 3D Task switcher, Welcome Center, and Games Explorer.

Extended support ended on April 11, 2017 (mainstream support ended on April 10, 2012).

Windows 7

2009–2020 (Base version), 2009–2023 (Pro and Enterprise versions)

Windows 7 kept the same design and logo with Windows Vista, aside from the switch from Vista to 7. Windows 7 was released on October 22, 2009, and had better reception than Windows Vista because it was faster, more stable and easier to use.

Windows 7’s new features were Windows snap, redesigned taskbar, HomeGroup, libraries for documents, audio, videos, etc.

Mainstream support ended on January 13, 2015, and extended support ended on January 14, 2020. Pro and Enterprise users can pay for support until January 10, 2023.

Windows 8

2012–2016

Designer: Pentagram

Typography: Unknown

Microsoft overhauled their logo again to fit in with the new Metro design language on Windows 8, which removes the green, yellow, and red colors to become all blue and a slightly modified Segoe font. This logo was unveiled on Windows 8 Consumer Preview released February 2012. Notable changes is that they Ditched the 3D, Aero And Flag Design And replaced it with a Window And a Flat Design, with perspective, design by Pentagram. Windows 8 was released on October 26, 2012.

Windows 8’s most notable new features are New Metro design, Touchscreen for the new tablet called «Surface», new full Start Menu (Start Screen), Apps, and instead of using the 3D task switcher, it used 2D at the right side of the screen. The original version is known to be the very shortest support version, but counting Windows 8.1 instead of this, Windows 95 and ME had the shortest support versions, due to their negative feedback and lack of usage because of some users staying on the previous version or upgrading as soon as the next version of Windows appeared.

Support ended on January 12, 2016. To regain support, users are recommended to upgrade to Windows 8.1 (which can be done in this version without install disc).

Windows 8.1

2013–present

After a year, Microsoft released Windows 8.1 in October 2013. This logo has an additional «.1» at the end and is also slightly less bold, giving a smoother feel. This logo was not officially used by Microsoft neither in advertising (where the default Windows logo was used) nor in the OS (where the Windows 8 logo was used), but it was used in some conferences.

Windows 8.1 was an update for Windows 8 with some improvements, Start button was reintroduced and some enhances to the Start Screen. Windows 8 and 8.1 were not commonly seen being used among Windows users, mainly due to the removed Start menu.

Mainstream support ended on January 9, 2018, and extended support will end on January 10, 2023.

Windows 10

2015–present

Microsoft officially unveiled the first beta version of Windows 10 on September 30, 2014. The text on the wordmark of the logo was unbolded and the logo itself was made a darker shade of blue. The last version of the operating system was released worldwide on July 29, 2015. Since then, Windows 10 releases new features update twice per year (except in 2016).

Windows 10’s new features are the ability to run Microsoft Store apps on the desktop, return of Start menu although Start screen mode option still remains, new versions of Microsoft Store-based apps, multiple desktops, a voice assistant: Cortana, and a new internet browser: Microsoft Edge. New updates for Windows 10 include Game Mode, Paint 3D and a new interface: Fluent Design which replacing Metro.

This might be the final version of Windows, because Microsoft says it is becoming ‘a service’.

For 2015 LTSB, Mainstream support ended on October 13, 2020, and extended support will end on October 14, 2025.

For 2016 LTSB, Mainstream support will end on October 12, 2021, and extended support will end on October 13, 2026.

For 2019 LTSC, Mainstream support will end on January 9, 2024, and extended support will end on January 9, 2029.

Windows 10X

2020–present

This logo is more rounded off, and has multiple colors, to fit with the new design. Microsoft is making a new version of Windows, aimed at dual-screen tablets. The development started around 2020. This version can run on laptops. As of now, the OS is still not released. But you can run the OS with the Microsoft Device Emulator Software. This version of Windows could run on ARM (Tablet) — based devices. You cannot install the OS onto regular PC’s. It either comes pre-installed, or you’ll need to flash it with NTFS-Pools. It also has a new start menu, taskbar, UI, and system. This OS will not replace Windows 10. This is another OS made for other devices.