New Icons Coming To Microsoft Windows 10 - Olmec Skip to main content

New Icons Coming To Microsoft Windows 10

By December 30, 2019May 9th, 2022Technology News

Windows users aren’t big fans of change. Recall the cries of outrage when Microsoft tried in vain to retire MS Paint, which was never a very good graphics program and only a small subcomponent of the company’s OS. Users revolted to the point that Microsoft decided rather than kill off the ancient program, they simply moved it to the app store so people could keep access to it if and as they wished.

The company gets the same reaction even if they make smaller changes, including changing icons. Last year, the company tread very carefully when they rolled out ten new Office Icons. They were redesigned to have a similar look and feel to the old icons while gently pushing the company’s user base toward something a bit more sleek and modern.

Given a successful baby step on that front, the company is moving ahead with the modernization of more than 100 icons over the course of this year. Those will include Windows utilities, mixed reality icons, and standalone apps.

Jon Friedman, the Corporate VP of Design and Research at Microsoft, had some information to share. He said all of the redesigned icons will have a similar look and feel as part of Microsoft’s Fluent Design System, with the goal being to ensure that “each icon authentically represented both the product truth and the larger Microsoft brand.”

Friedman also added:

We needed to signal innovation and change while maintaining familiarity for customers. We also had to develop a flexible and open design system to span a range of contexts while still being true to Microsoft. Whether our customers use their phone, PC, or VR headset to get work done, we wanted to reach people in every environment. The newest design guidelines helped us unify icon constructions across the company and within each product family.”

We have to admit that we’re curious to see what the new designs look like, and what the reaction of the Windows user base will be.

Jason Manteiga

Jason J. Manteiga, Vice President of Olmec Systems, has been part of the company for over the past 20 years. He believes that having a great work environment and supportive team, is the ultimate key to success. Since being in the IT realm for over 25 years, Jason, along with Olmec Systems, has been on the Inc. 5000 “List of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies” and Channel Futures MSP 501 “Top Managed Service Providers in North America,” along with other awards and nominations. Jason earned his Bachelor Degree in Information Systems from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He also holds certifications in Microsoft MCSE, VMWare VCP, and Cisco CCNA. In his spare time, Jason is a contributor for The Center for Social & Legal Research (Privacy Exchange) and a member of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. His hobbies include cycling and kayaking. He currently lives in New Jersey with his wife, two daughters and son.