- This article is about the desktop-oriented operating system for computers. For other Windows-branded products and brands, see Microsoft Windows (disambiguation).
This page only shows primary logo variants. For other related logos and images, see:
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Windows 1.0/2.0
1985–2001
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| Launched:
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November 20, 1985
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Windows 1.0 and 2.0 were the first versions of Windows. These versions were just to add a visual guide to MS-DOS. The logo slightly resembles the Windows 8, 8.1, 10 and 11 logo, except that the vertical lines are in different places. Support ended on December 31, 2001.
Windows 3.0
1990–2001
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| Typography:
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Times New Roman
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| Launched:
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December 1990[1]
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The original blue logo was removed and replaced with a darker logo with a black-and-white gradient that looks more like a window. Windows 3.0 was the version that first introduced Program Manager (predecessor of Start Menu and Taskbar), which made it popular because it was easier to use than 1.0 and 2.0. This logo was seen on some software boxes to denote compatibility with Windows 3.0,[1] 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
1992–2008
| Designer:
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Jeff Boettcher
Jonathan D. Cowles[3]
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| Typography:
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Times New Roman
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Windows 3.1 was an updated version of Windows 3.0, with several enhancements to the still 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, except for WFW 3.11 embedded, in which support ended on November 1, 2008.
On Twitter, Microsoft cites Jeff Boettcher as the designer of the original Windows flag. Jonathan D. Cowles, art director at Microsoft from 1991 to 1994, cites himself as designer of the original Windows flag, under the supervision of Boettcher and Julie Wong.[3]
Windows NT 3.1
1993–2001
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Jeff Boettcher
Jonathan D. Cowles
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| Typography:
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Times New Roman
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Windows NT 3.1, the first version of Windows NT and first 32-bit Windows, was released on July 27, 1993. This version was based on the 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
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| Typography:
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Times New Roman (modified)
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| Launched:
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September 21, 1994
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Windows NT 3.5 was released on September 21, 1994, and Windows NT 3.51 was released on May 30, 1995. Like its predecessor, both versions had the same desktop environment from 3.1 and NT 3.1; they also came with Server and Workstation editions. For this logo, the flag was tilted to the right (as it would be for most future appearances until the release of Windows XP), the "WINDOWS" text became larger, the "Microsoft" text is no longer in all caps and placed to the left. 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
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| Typography:
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Franklin Gothic
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| Launched:
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August 15, 1995
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Windows 95 was released on August 24, 1995, with several new features, mainly the graphical user interface, the Start Menu, Windows Explorer, and the taskbar; it was the first operating system in the 9x family. MSN was also launched on the same day. Windows 95 also introduced a redesigned shell based around a desktop metaphor; the desktop was repurposed 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 is also in a bolder font), "Microsoft" is no longer on the left of the "Windows" text. Extended support ended on December 31, 2001 (mainstream support ended on December 31, 2000).
Windows NT 4.0/NT 5.0
1996–2004
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| Typography:
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Franklin Gothic
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Windows NT 4.0 was released on July 31, 1996, and for general availability on August 24, 1996, the same day as Windows 95 OSR 2. This version brought the desktop environment and several features from Windows 95, and had five editions: Workstation, Server, Enterprise Edition, Terminal Server Edition, and Embedded. This logo is mostly the same as Windows 95, but with "95" replaced with "NT". Extended support ended on June 30, 2004 (mainstream support ended on June 30, 2002).
Windows 98/98 SE
1998–2006
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| Typography:
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Franklin Gothic
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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 fixed certain bugs and problems from Windows 98 but didn't have an official logo. The logo is the same as Windows 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 MS-DOS based version of Windows to be supported to any date other than December 31, 2001.
Windows 2000
1999–2010
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| Typography:
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Franklin Gothic
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December 15, 1999
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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, and was used both for server computers and regular computers. Windows 2000 brought many features and improvements from Windows 9x. 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 Me
2000–2006
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| Typography:
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Franklin Gothic
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Windows ME, released on September 14, 2000, is one of the worst-received versions of Windows, as it was known to crash too often and contained several bugs; as a result, its usage is extremely uncommon among Windows users. ME was also 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: 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 script font with "Millennium Edition" under it. Extended support for Windows ME ended on July 11, 2006, alongside Windows 98 (mainstream support for ME ended on December 31, 2003).
Windows XP
2001–2014
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| Typography:
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Franklin Gothic
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August 24, 2001
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In 2001, Microsoft overhauled the Windows logo again, giving it a more clean feel. The Windows logo was simplified, removing the black borders and squares flowing behind it, and given a "plastic" feel to match the interface of Windows XP. It used the Franklin Gothic Medium font for the text.
Windows XP was released on October 25, 2001, being the first version of the 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 several new features. It was known to be the longest-supported version of Windows, and was one of the most popular versions of the operating system.
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
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November 8, 2006
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In mid-2005, Microsoft modified their 2001 logo to add a glow in the center and changed the font to Segoe. The "Microsoft" text was also removed from the logo.
Windows Vista was initially released for business customers on November 30, 2006, and for general availability on January 30, 2007. The system was criticized due to high requirements and certain bugs. While Windows Vista was also turned down by many, it introduced new features and design tweaks, including the Aero design language, 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
Windows 7 kept the same design and logo from Windows Vista, aside from the text being changed to read the number 7.
Windows 7 was released on October 22, 2009, and was better received than its predecessor, introducing features such as the redesigned taskbar, Windows Snap, HomeGroup, libraries for documents, audio, videos, etc. Mainstream support ended on January 13, 2015, and extended support ended on January 14, 2020. Pro, Enterprise and Ultimate users can pay for support until January 10, 2023.
Windows 8
2012–2016
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Segoe UI Semibold
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October 26, 2012
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Microsoft overhauled their logo again to fit in with the new Metro design language on Windows 8, which removed the colors to become all blue and introduced a slightly modified Segoe font. This logo was unveiled on Windows 8 Consumer Preview, released in February 2012. Notably, this logo ditched the flag design that had been used since 2001, as well as the three-dimensional Aero theme, replacing it with a simple window tilted to the left, designed by Pentagram.
Windows 8 was released on October 26, 2012, and introduced features such as the new Start screen, the Charms, apps, and touchscreen support for devices such as the new Surface tablet. However, it received a mixed reception, with many criticizing it as being unintuitive compared to its predecessor and questioning Microsoft's push to expand the Windows line to touchscreen devices. Windows 8 is known for being the shortest-supported version of Windows, having had its support end on January 12, 2016 (to regain support, users are recommended to upgrade to Windows 8.1, which can be done on this version without an installation disc).
Windows 8.1
2013–present
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October 17, 2013
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On October 17, 2013, Microsoft released Windows 8.1, which addressed certain criticisms of Windows 8 and also featured certain improvements, such as the improved Start screen, additional Snap views, and the restoration of a visible Start button on the taskbar. This logo is essentially the same as Windows 8, but with a thinner font; however, it was not officially used by Microsoft in advertising (where the default Windows logo was used) nor in the OS (where the Windows 8 logo was used), so it was seldom seen. 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 first version of the operating system was released worldwide on July 29, 2015. Since then, Windows 10 releases new feature updates twice per year (except in 2016). Windows 10's new features include the return of the Start menu, new versions of Microsoft Store-based apps, multiple desktops, voice assistant Cortana, and the new internet browser Microsoft Edge. New updates include Game Mode, Paint 3D and the new Fluent Design language, which replaced Metro.
Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025.
Windows 11
2021–present
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Segoe UI Bold
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This logo was first leaked on June 15, 2021, and became official when Microsoft announced Windows 11 on June 24. This logo is very similar to the Windows 95 commercials from the mid 90s, the Microsoft Store logo from 2009, and Microsoft's 2012 logo, but retains the color of Windows 10's logo. The Segoe UI font has also changed to a bold weight.
Windows 11 was released on October 5, 2021.
References
External links
