Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company founded by Bill Gates and the late Paul Allen on April 4, 1975. It is known for the Microsoft Windows operating systems, the Microsoft Office suite, the Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge web browsers, Xbox video game consoles, and the Microsoft Surface line of tablet computers. Microsoft is the largest company by market capitalization, having a peak value of US$3.125 trillion in February 2024.
Traf-O-Data[]
1972–1975[]
Designer:
Miles Gilbert
Typography:
Clarendon
Launched:
June 13, 1972
Microsoft started in 1972 as Traf-O-Data, a computer manufacturer for the traffic lights of Washington state roads. The company was working for the government at the time (these operations would later be merged into Microsoft). The logo was designed by Miles Gilbert, brother of Paul Gilbert, one of the company's founders.[1]
Micro-Soft[]
1975–1979, 2021[]
Designer:
Andrea Davis
Typography:
Aki Lines
Launched:
April 4, 1975
The company was founded as "Micro-Soft" on April 4, 1975. This logo was reused on social media to celebrate Microsoft's 46th anniversary. A modified version of this logo can also be seen on the keyboards of 50th anniversary Surface Pros.
Microsoft[]
1979–1982, 2023[]
Designer:
Simon Daniels
Typography:
New Zelek (modified)
Launched:
December 9, 1979
On December 9, 1979, the company simplified its name to Microsoft. This logo was reused on social media to celebrate Microsoft's 48th anniversary.
“The new logo, in Helvetica italic typeface, has a slash between the o and s to emphasize the "soft" part of the name and convey motion and speed.”
— Scott Baker, designer
This logo remained on Microsoft's website until the 2012 rebrand.
2010–2012[]
Designer:
Unknown
Typography:
Helvetica Black Italic (modified)
Launched:
November 7, 2010
On July 22, 2010, a new tagline, "Be What's Next." was revealed at that year's Microsoft Global Exchange (MGX) event.[6][a] The tagline was officially launched later on November 7 of the same year, when the Microsoft's logo was altered slightly, reducing the slant.[7] This logo was the shortest-lived of the company, only being used for 21 months until August 22, 2012. This logo was never used on Microsoft's website.
2012–present[]
Designer:
Jason Wells
Typography:
Segoe UI Semibold
Launched:
August 23, 2012
Microsoft launched the new logo on August 23, 2012, which features a flattened version of the Windows grid, each color representing a specific product (Office, Xbox, Windows and Bing, respectively). As the standard Windows logo became one-color following the unveiling of Windows 8 in 2012, the original color scheme was transferred to Microsoft's logo. It resembles the inaugural logo of the now-defunct Microsoft Store in 2009.
Notes: 1 Became independent from 2007–2022, later becoming a Sony Interactive Entertainment subsidiary in 2022 2 Were moved to work on other Microsoft Software departments 3 consolidated 4 Sold to Take-Two Interactive, later being defunct
Notes: 1 Became independent from 2007–2022, later becoming a Sony Interactive Entertainment subsidiary in 2022 2 Were moved to work on other Microsoft Software departments 3 consolidated 4 Sold to Take-Two Interactive, later being defunct
Notes: 1Nokia phone brand licensing was sold to Human Mobile Devices in 2016. The original Nokia company continues to exist. 2Developer Kit hardware was discontinued in 2023. Azure Kinect technologies continued to be licensed to its partners.
