Windows
The operating-system brand, since 1985; Microsoft's foundational consumer and enterprise platform.
Source: news.microsoft.com
Microsoft
Microsoft is a global technology corporation spanning operating systems, productivity software, cloud infrastructure, gaming, and consumer hardware, positioning itself as the platform layer for personal and organizational achievement.
- Founded
- 1975
- Industry
- Software · Hardware · Technology · Consumer Electronics
- Headquarters
- USA
- Ownership
- Public company
Key Facts
Current claim
“Empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.”
Brand logo
Purpose
We work to help people and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential.
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Microsoft 365
The productivity-suite brand (formerly Office); subscription home of Word, Excel and Teams.
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Xbox
The gaming brand, since 2001; Microsoft's console, services and studios identity.
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Azure
The cloud-computing brand, since 2010; Microsoft's enterprise-cloud engine.
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Surface
The hardware brand, since 2012; Microsoft's first-party PCs and tablets.
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Copilot
The AI-assistant brand, since 2023; Microsoft's generative-AI layer across its products.
Brand Chronology
Microsoft builds a Surface for the world makers (2026)
Microsoft builds a Surface for the world makers
2026
Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra film shows the machine from the inside and closes on the new claim: made for the world makers.
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Microsoft Australia Turned a Social Moment Into a Copilot Campaign Led by Jane Lu (2025)
Microsoft Australia Turned a Social Moment Into a Copilot Campaign Led by Jane Lu
2025
Microsoft Australia launched a Copilot+ PC campaign featuring Showpo CEO Jane Lu after a viral social media interaction, using her “Lazy CEO” persona to highlight AI-driven productivity.
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Microsoft's Surface Studio film adopts the codes of Apple's product cinema (2016)
Microsoft's Surface Studio film adopts the codes of Apple's product cinema
2016
Microsoft released its Surface Studio launch film in 2016, its first cinematic hardware spot in the register long identified with Apple.
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Satya Nadella becomes CEO (2014)
Satya Nadella
becomes CEO
Logo Redesign (2012)
Logo Redesign
2012
On August 23 Microsoft introduced a new visual identity, marking a shift toward a cleaner, more modern look. The logo combined a wordmark with a simple graphic of four colored squares arranged in a 2×2 grid, representing key products: Windows (blue), Xbox (green), Office (yellow), and Bing (orange). Launched alongside Windows 8, the design emphasized unity across Microsoft’s ecosystem, with the colored grid symbolizing a diverse yet cohesive range of products.
Logo Redesign (2011)
Logo Redesign
2011
In 2011, Microsoft briefly updated its corporate logo with a subtle modernization. This version was tied to the slogan “Be What’s Next,” reflecting the company’s focus on innovation and forward-looking strategy. Despite its intent, the logo had a very short lifespan—lasting only a few months before being replaced in August 2012. It was rarely used and never fully rolled out on Microsoft’s official website, making it the shortest-lived logo in the company’s history.
Microsoft’s $300 Million Campaign Tried to Reposition Windows by Humanising the PC (2008)
Microsoft’s $300 Million Campaign Tried to Reposition Windows by Humanising the PC
2008
Microsoft launched a $300 million advertising campaign in 2008 featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates, aiming to counter Apple’s “Mac vs PC” ads and reframe Windows as human and relatable.
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Steve Ballmer becomes CEO (2000)
Steve Ballmer
becomes CEO
Microsoft borrows the Rolling Stones to launch Windows 95 (1995)
Microsoft borrows the Rolling Stones to launch Windows 95
1995
Microsoft pays the Rolling Stones an estimated 3 million dollars to soundtrack the most ambitious software launch of the 1990s.
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Microsoft Asked “Where Do You Want to Go Today?” to Humanize Personal Computing (1994)
Microsoft Asked “Where Do You Want to Go Today?” to Humanize Personal Computing
1994
Microsoft launched the “Where do you want to go today?” campaign to present personal computing as accessible and inspirational, using humanistic storytelling to demystify technology.
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Logo Redesign (1987)
Logo Redesign
1987
In 1987, Microsoft introduced a new logo designed by Scott Baker, based on a modified Helvetica Black Italic typeface. The slanted letters conveyed motion and progress, while a distinctive cut between the “o” and “s” added a sense of energy and technological edge. This logo proved highly durable, remaining in use for about 25 years across products and platforms, even after later updates. Its longevity and widespread presence made it one of Microsoft’s most recognizable and influential visual identities.
Logo Redesign (1982)
Logo Redesign
1982
In 1982, Microsoft introduced a more modern, minimalist logo designed by David Strong. A key feature was the “O,” emphasized with horizontal lines that created a subtle sense of motion and technological dynamism. Although replaced in 1987, this logo remained in limited use for some materials, marking an important step in Microsoft’s shift toward a more rational and contemporary visual identity.
Logo Redesign (1980)
Logo Redesign
1980
In 1980, Microsoft introduced a bold, dynamic logo based on a modified New Zelek typeface by Simon Daniels. The design emphasized movement and energy, reflecting the company’s growing technological ambitions. Although used for only about two years, the logo became memorable for its experimental, high-tech look. It was later revisited in 2023 as a nod to Microsoft’s early, more expressive design era.
Logo Design (1975)
Logo Design
1975
In 1975, following the adoption of the name Microsoft, the company introduced its first logo, designed by Andrea Davis using the Aki Lines typeface. The lettering was arranged in a structured, evenly spaced row with repeated internal line patterns that gave the wordmark a rhythmic, network-like appearance.
Although used only until around 1980, the logo remained a notable part of Microsoft’s early identity and was later referenced in anniversary-related retrospectives as a symbol of the company’s beginnings.
Founded
1975Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in Albuquerque in 1975 to sell a BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800, the first personal computer kit.
