Windows Logo PNG
Windows is the operating system from Microsoft, which was released in 1985, today is used by more than 80% of computer users from all over the globe. The first logo for the OS was introduced in the same year, being changed with each new version of the software.
Meaning and history
The visual identity of the world’s number one computer operating system has a very rich history. After its launch and creation of its first logo in 1985, there have been more than 15 versions of the Windows insignia designed by today. All of them have one thing in common — the stylized image of a window, which was not always readable, as in some designs it resembles a flag.
What is Windows?
Windows is the name of a computer operating system, which was developed by Microsoft and introduced in 1985. The system is available in more than 100 languages and is used by millions of people worldwide, being the world’s most popular operating system for personal computers.
1985 – 2001
The very first logo was developed in 1985 with the debut version of the program. It was a sky-blue and black image, composed of an emblem and a wordmark on its right. The emblem featured a stylized image of the window, formed by four squares of various sizes with white lines, separating them from each other. The “Microsoft Windows” wordmark in black was executed in a thin elegant serif typeface, representing professionalism and authority.
1990 – 2001
The logo was redesigned with the launch of Windows 3.0. It was a monochrome composition with a very realistic window picture and a wordmark placed under it. The emblem was executed in gradient shades, creating a mysterious feeling.
1992 – 2001
The “Flag” logo era for Windows began in 1992 and lasted until the 2010s. The first colorful badge was designed in 1992 and boasted a waving flag shape falling into pixels in its left part. The right part of the emblem featured four colorful squares — red, green, blue, and yellow in a thick black outline. The wordmark was still placed in the bottom part of the logo.
1993 – 2001
In 1993 the wordmark under the iconic flag was changed to Microsoft WindowsNT. It was executed in the same color palette, style and size as the previous version, so the “NT” lettering was the only change.
1994 – 2001
All of the elements of the logo were redrawn in 1994. The flag was enlarged, so was the “Windows” part of the lettering, which was now placed under the emblem, written in narrowed and elongated letters. As for the “Microsoft” part of the logotype, it was set vertically in the left from the “Windows”, also in black serif typeface.
Windows 95 logo ( 1995 – 2001 )
In 1995 the flag was placed diagonally on the left of the nameplate, which was now enlarged. The “Microsoft” part was executed in thin delicate lines and placed above the bold sans-serif “Windows” inscription, which was now the main part of the logo.
Windows NT logo ( 1996 – 2004 )
For the NT version the logo was changed again in 1996. The only change here was the replacement of the thin “95” digit with the extra-bold “NT” letters, set in the same stable and strong sans-serif typeface, as the “Windows” part of the inscriptions.
Windows 98 logo ( 1998 – 2006)
With the release of Windows 98 in 1998 the logo of Windows was refined. It was actually the same emblem, as the one, used by the software during the previous period, but with the bold and heavy “NT” replaced by the “98” executed in thinner lines. All other elements of the composition remained untouched.
Windows 2000 logo ( 2000 – 2010 )
The logo, created for Windows in 2000, was probably the most colorful among all the versions of the software’s emblems. It was still the bold black inscription, but now it was placed under geometric and multicolor graphics, formed by numerous square frames in orange, yellow and different shades of blue. Inside the bigger square, there was an iconic Windows flag set on a white background.
Windows ME logo ( 2000 – 2006 )
In 2000 two versions of the program were introduced — Windows 2000 and Windows ME, they both had their emblems redesigned. The signature flag was placed in a square frame, and in the 2000 version, the frame was blue with red, accompanied by yellow, red, and blue squares, while the ME edition featured green as the main color.
Windows XP logo ( 2001 – 2014 )
The visual identity was redesigned again in 2001. The black frame was removed from the flag, so now the emblem was only composed of four waving squares, which changed their colors to lighter ones. As for the wordmark, it was also refined and now featured a thinner and more elegant sans-serif typeface.
Windows Vista logo ( 2006 – 2017 )
In 2006, with the release of Windows Vista, the emblem got flatter and more modern design. It was still executed in gradient colors, but the texture of the squares was in 2D. The word “Microsoft” is removed from the logo, which makes it look more minimalist and professional.
Windows 7 logo ( 2009 – 2020 )
With the launch of Windows 7 in 2009, the logo was slightly changed again — the emblem is now enlarged and the colors of the squares are more intense.
Windows 8 logo ( 2012 – 2016 )
The new era of the visual identity design starts for Windows in 2012. Now the company uses only blue color for its logo. The wave shape is gone, the emblem is strict and geometric. It is still composed of four squares, but now the window symbol is placed in half-turn.
2013 – Today
The emblem, created for Windows 8.1 is flat and modest, enough professionally executed, and evokes a sense of confidence and modernity. It is a solid square, composed of four smaller blue ones, separated with thin white lines. The emblem, placed in ¾ is set on the left from a neat sans-serif logotype in the title case.
Windows 10 logo ( 2015 – Today )
In 2015 the sky-blue of the logo is replaced by a calmer and darker tone, which looks more professional and evokes a sense of reliability and protection. The wordmark was also refined and became thinner and cleaner.
Windows 10x logo ( 2020 – Today )
The latest version of the logo was created for Windows 10X in 2020. The wordmark still uses the shade of blue from the previous version, but the emblem is now drawn in gradient tones, looking brighter and fresher.
The simple yet strong inscription is written in a traditional sans-serif typeface, which is Myriad Pro. It balanced the bold and bright emblem, adding a sense of expertise and security.
2021 – now
For Windows 11, released in 2021, the company has simplified its logo, placing the emblem straight and flat, and using one shade of blue for all the elements of the badge. Now the four equal blue square form a large one, with thin white lines of a negative space, and are followed by a title case inscription in a bold sans-serif font, with the “11” in the same style.
Symbol
It was only in 2001 that the logo saw a more impactful update, which was connected with the release of XP. The black outline was gone, the overall look of the logotype became clearer. Also, certain graphic tools were applied, due to which the logo acquired a 3D look.
Getting ready for the release of the Vista operating system, the designers updated the emblem once again. The “flag” was placed inside a circle shape with dark blue filler. Also, one more new visual tool was applied to the symbol, adding dimension. The shade of blue was slightly modified.
The release of Windows 7 coincided with the introduction of an updated symbol. This time, the circle shape was removed leaving a logotype cleaner and fresher. Actually, it looked exactly as the 2001 version, except for a couple of graphic effects and a subtle shift in colors.
The 2012 emblem
Probably the most noticeable change to the Windows logo in this century coincided with the release of the Windows 8 operating system. The four-color emblem was replaced by a simple light blue one created by Wolff Olins. The aim was to make the icon closer to the new Metro design language. One of the distinctive features of this design language was that it focused on one color.
The new color scheme was not the only change. The 2012 logo featured a realistic window design instead of the usual emblem resembling a flag.
Windows 10 logo
In comparison with the previous version, the Windows 10 logo features a darker shade of blue. Also, letters are somewhat thinner. The beta version of the operating system was released in 2014, while the final version appeared at the market in 2015.
Font
Starting with Windows 8, the wordmarks used by the company were based on the Segoe font. The type has been slightly modified.
Color
The current version of the Windows logo sports only one color, dark blue. This is one of the requirements of the New Metro design language.