Microsoft Corp. has confirmed plan to radically change iconic logotype of Windows operating system with the release of its next iteration. Microsoft admitted that the logotype of Windows 8 will better reflect its Metro style design principles and will signal a complete reimagination of the Windows operating system.

In some ways the evolution of the Windows logo changed in parallel with the advancements of the technology used to create logos. From the simple two color version in Windows 1.0 to the intricate and detailed renderings in Windows Vista and Windows 7, each change made sense in the context in which it was created. As computing capabilities increased, so did the use of that horsepower to render more colors, better fonts, and more detailed and life-like 3D visual effects like depth, shadows, and materiality. Essentially, what started as a simple “window” to compliment the product name became a flying or waving flag.

"But if you look back to the origins of the logo you see that it really was meant to be a window. 'Windows' really is a beautiful metaphor for computing and with the new logo we wanted to celebrate the idea of a window, in perspective. [...] We did less of a re-design and more to return it to its original meaning and bringing Windows back to its roots – reimagining the Windows logo as just that – a window," said Sam Moreau, principal director of user experience for Windows.

^{Evolution of Windows logo: from Windows 1 to Windows 3 to Windows XP to Windows Vista to Windows 8}

Although Microsoft is stressing that the new logo depicts a window, when combined with Metro UI it will clearly represent a set of tiles and tiles are not exactly windows. What is unclear is whether the new logo in particular and Metro style in general will truly be as attractive as traditional interfaces for Windows users.

Tags: Microsoft, Windows, Windows 8