Microsoft Logo

Microsoft Logo PNG

The Microsoft logo demonstrates diversity. The emblem showcases the company’s multitude of products, multifaceted approach to problem-solving, and global user presence. The giant’s products are suitable for both work and everyday life.

Meaning and History

Microsoft has had several logo versions – about seven. Each is associated with certain transformations and reflects its evolution from an obscure firm to a globally renowned digital industry giant.

What is Microsoft?

Microsoft is a multinational technology corporation founded in 1975. It specializes in producing software products (operating systems, office suites, browsers), PCs with touch screens, and Xbox consoles. As of the end of 2022, the company ranked 14th in the Fortune 500 list. It is also one of the world leaders in revenue. Its founders are Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

1972 – 1975

The organization began its activity in 1970 as a company named Traf-O-Data. It dealt with producing computer equipment for traffic lights on Washington roads. During the government period, the enterprise was transformed into a new structure named Microsoft. This occurred on April 4, 1975.

Its emblem initially played with the letters “T,” “O,” and “D,” forming the name. It was a combination of a graphic sign with text. The original symbol, featuring overlapping black “T” and “D” with a white “O,” was positioned to the left of the full company name. The word was written in a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters on a light background.

1975 – 1980

When the company changed its name to Microsoft, it immediately introduced its new logo, which resembles the modern one a little. The letters were lined up and echoed the road theme – as if they were stylized city streets. The uppercase symbols were wide, even, smooth, and of uniform height.

1980 – 1982

In 1980, a logo appeared, remotely echoing the familiar version. It had almost no free space between letters, causing some symbols to merge. Each character had a slanted cut at the top or bottom, and the elongated legs of “M,” “R,” and “F” extended far beyond the word’s boundaries.

1982 – 1987

After only two years, the previous version was updated. The company name was now written in an even, thin, sans-serif font. The graphic accent was on the first letter “O,” positioned at the center. Thin, short strokes surrounded it.

1987 – 2011

In 1987, the recognizable and familiar logo was approved. It consisted of slightly inclined letters written in lowercase, except for the first letter, which is capitalized. The connection between “o” and “s” featured a slanting line, emphasizing movement and dynamism in the word’s “softest” part (where lines are most fluid). Scott Baker created the updated logo.

This logo can still be seen on some portals and old company products. Particularly, it remains relevant on the Windows / Microsoft Update site and Windows Vista, in the Windows XP loading window, on the Windows XP Professional documentation page, etc.

2011 – 2012

With the slogan introduced in 2011, the corporate logo got a new design: developers reduced the letter slant. But this version lasted only a year – until the second half of August 2012.

2012 – today

After a radical redesign, another emblem was introduced. It now consists not only of text but also of graphics. These are four multicolored squares, symbolizing the corporation’s main products – Bing, Windows, Xbox, and Office. However, this approach was not entirely new: a similar variant appeared in the 90s in Windows 95 ads and since 2009 in Microsoft Store symbolism.

But the word “Microsoft” was altered, receiving a new modification. The letters became uniformly thin and gray. The only accent was the alignment between “f” and “t”: they, as before, were connected by horizontal strokes.

Font and Colors

The current logo emphasizes the global areas in which Microsoft operates. According to the administration, the updated design conveys the transition from classic to progressive interfaces, which takes time. Therefore, it consists of one large square divided into four small ones. The tile design reflects convenience, as most digital products now use this format.

Previously, the emblem had an individual font based on the classic. Only the word positioning changed – straight or slanted. After the redesign, the new version received the Helvetica font from the neo-grotesque category, developed in 1957 by Haas’sche Schriftgiesserei from Switzerland.

Until 2012, the logo’s predominant color was black on a white background. Then, it became multicolored: the letters turned light gray, and the squares became red, green, blue, and yellow.

Microsoft color codes