How we really designed the look and feel of Windows 7

An inaccurate quote has been floating around the Internet today about the design origins of Windows 7 and whether its look and feel was “borrowed” from Mac OS X.  Unfortunately this came from a Microsoft employee who was not involved in any aspect of designing Windows 7. I hate to say this about one of our own, but his comments were inaccurate and uninformed. If you’re interested in learning more about the design of Windows 7, I suggest reading this AP story with Julie Larson-Green as well as these WSJ (membership required) and Fast Company articles. And here is one of many blog posts on the E7 blog discussing the design process of Windows 7.

Tags: , , , , ,

Comments

  1. bostonboy64
    Posted on: November 12, 2009 at 9:26AM  

    how can i download win7 beta for free havent been able to find it anywhere microsoft has it but it wont download help me

  2. I-dont-do-tat
    Posted on: November 12, 2009 at 9:51AM  

    I know Simon Aldous, having worked in the same UK subsidiar as him for a few years.  He's a good guy who, for me, is telling it like it is.  He's paying testament to the common view that a Mac is cool and a great template to copy.

    Then denying this to your customers just makes you look stupid because the very look and feel of Windows 7 is desperately trying to look like a Mac OS - just admit it.

    Oh, and in the less significant UK region, sales of Macs rose 25% in the last quarter, with like for like PC sales down by about the same margin.  I would try to copy that success.

    Keep pretending guys, can't wait for the next Apple 'I'm a PC' ad :-)

  3. lollht
    Posted on: November 12, 2009 at 10:30AM  

    I like 7, but I always disable Aero, even though I have a top of the line machine.  I get a faster machine that no longer looks like a Mac.  Win/win.  This isn't Aero-bashing, because I would always disable the Fisher Price XP interface as well to make the machine double in speed.  Now if I could only get the Win 2000 search back, I'd be set.

  4. kabuki
    Posted on: November 12, 2009 at 10:34AM  

    Dear Mr. Brandon LeBlanc,

    I have two words for you

    TOO LATE.

  5. veggiedude
    Posted on: November 12, 2009 at 10:50AM  

    All we had to do was look at Windows to know where it came from. This dates all the way back to the original Windows to Windows 95, all the way up to Vista and now Windows 7. To deny this is absurd and pathetic.

  6. david1225
    Posted on: November 12, 2009 at 11:08AM  

    My bigger concern was his statement that Windows 7 is far more stable than Mac OS X.  Can you please tell us what this statement was based on?

  7. ECDINOVO
    Posted on: November 12, 2009 at 12:15PM  

    The Win7 interface borrows concepts that have appeared in many other operating systems before OS X such as Amiga OS, RISC OS, NeXTSTEP (on which OS X is based), and BeOS. It also delivers some new ideas.

    I personally like the Win7 implementation of the applications dock the best out of them all. Although, I think demanding user customizability of the application defined “jump-lists” (context-sensitive menus that spring from the new taskbar items) should have been a design guideline. For instance, maybe we’d rather have our Favorites in the IE8 jump list instead of the random selection of frequently used websites that is there by default.

    I think I complained about that stupid Vista sidebar a dozen times during the Vista beta. Desktop gadgets should live on the desktop: like they finally do in Win7. Yet, somehow I feel that the Notes app should have been a gadget too. Not making it so was a strange design departure.

    All in all, the Win7 UI design is a success. It's not Mac, and it never was or tried to be. In addition, users can always switch back to the regular taskbar style if they want.

  8. ALEXIS
    Posted on: November 12, 2009 at 12:26PM  

    Simon Aldous, he said the truth and I wait that with their declarations the it won't be discharged of their work in microsoft..... (Ò_Ó)

  9. Mthree
    Posted on: November 12, 2009 at 12:26PM  

    Perhaps one can take the latest "I'm a PC and Windows 7 was my idea" commercials a little too seriously (such as this one, Kirsten's Taskbar: http://bit.ly/8pPzk ;)

  10. tandres
    Posted on: November 12, 2009 at 1:00PM  

    Woe be the MS exec who made this comment along with any MS employee caught by Steve Ballmer using an iPhone. We need to form PETMEA (People for the Ethical Treatment of MS Employees using Apple).

Trackbacks

  1. Posted by: Twitter Trackbacks for How we really designed the look and feel of Windows 7 - Windows 7 Team Blog - The Windows Blog [windowsteamblog.com] on Topsy.com on November 11, 2009 at 7:03PM

    Pingback from  Twitter Trackbacks for                 How we really designed the look and feel of Windows 7 - Windows 7 Team Blog - The Windows Blog         [windowsteamblog.com]        on Topsy.com

  2. Posted by: uberVU - social comments on November 11, 2009 at 7:19PM

    This post was mentioned on Twitter by brandonleblanc: How we really designed the look and feel of Windows 7 http://bit.ly/3kez1P

  3. Posted by: Representante da Microsoft admite que Windows 7 “inspirou-se” no Mac OS X [atualizado] | MacMagazine on November 11, 2009 at 7:42PM

    Pingback from  Representante da Microsoft admite que Windows 7 “inspirou-se” no Mac OS X [atualizado] | MacMagazine

  4. Posted by: Windows 7 HQ » How we really designed the look and feel of Windows 7 on November 11, 2009 at 9:35PM

    Pingback from  Windows 7 HQ » How we really designed the look and feel of Windows 7

  5. Posted by: Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | Netbook Gizmo on November 11, 2009 at 9:39PM

    Pingback from  Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | Netbook Gizmo

  6. Posted by: WinGeek.com on November 11, 2009 at 9:52PM

    The buzz on the internet today is about a quote from Microsoft Partner Group Manager Simon Aldous from an interview with PCR where he

  7. Posted by: Facternet.com - Web Hosting, Website Design and Internet Services for Small Business - Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | facternet: on November 11, 2009 at 10:02PM

    Pingback from  Facternet.com - Web Hosting, Website Design and Internet Services for Small Business -   Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | facternet:

  8. Posted by: Its All About A Digital Technology » Blog Archive » Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) on November 11, 2009 at 10:06PM

    Pingback from  Its All About A Digital Technology  » Blog Archive   » Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds)

  9. Posted by: Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing 'Mac look and feel' (updated: Microsoft responds) » Developages - Development and Technology Blog on November 11, 2009 at 10:18PM

    Pingback from  Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing 'Mac look and feel' (updated: Microsoft responds) »  Developages - Development and Technology Blog

  10. Posted by: Rumors on Windows 7 design - The Truth - Windows Help Forum on November 11, 2009 at 10:21PM

    Pingback from  Rumors on Windows 7 design - The Truth - Windows Help Forum

  11. Posted by: Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | Dominic Fallows on November 11, 2009 at 10:26PM

    Pingback from  Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | Dominic Fallows

  12. Posted by: Windows 7 no tom?? nada de Mac OS X | Denken ??ber on November 11, 2009 at 10:37PM

    Pingback from  Windows 7 no tom?? nada de Mac OS X | Denken ??ber

  13. Posted by: Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing 'Mac look and feel' (updated: Microsoft responds) | Technology Blog on November 11, 2009 at 10:41PM

    Pingback from  Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing 'Mac look and feel' (updated: Microsoft responds) | Technology Blog

  14. Posted by: Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) « NeYeni.Net – [ yeni olan ne varsa ] on November 11, 2009 at 10:47PM

    Pingback from  Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) «  NeYeni.Net – [ yeni olan ne varsa ]

  15. Posted by: Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) « Gadgets Club on November 11, 2009 at 10:58PM

    Pingback from  Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) « Gadgets Club

  16. Posted by: Microsoft Disowns Manager For Suggesting That A Mac OS Inspired Windows 7 [Microsoft] « Gadgets Club on November 11, 2009 at 10:59PM

    Pingback from  Microsoft Disowns Manager For Suggesting That A Mac OS Inspired Windows 7 [Microsoft] « Gadgets Club

  17. Posted by: TheTechnologySources.com » Blog Archive » Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) on November 11, 2009 at 11:02PM

    Pingback from  TheTechnologySources.com  » Blog Archive   » Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds)

  18. Posted by: Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | Gadgetorium! on November 11, 2009 at 11:22PM

    Pingback from  Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | Gadgetorium!

  19. Posted by: Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) on November 11, 2009 at 11:24PM

    Pingback from  Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds)

  20. Posted by: Microsoft manager admits to copying ‘Mac look and feel’ on November 11, 2009 at 11:29PM

    Pingback from  Microsoft manager admits to copying ‘Mac look and feel’

  21. Posted by: Microsoft admits Mac was Windows 7 muse - MacTalk Forums on November 11, 2009 at 11:50PM

    Pingback from  Microsoft admits Mac was Windows 7 muse - MacTalk Forums

  22. Posted by: Microsoft manager admits to copying ‘Mac look and feel,’ MS denies | on November 11, 2009 at 11:59PM

    Pingback from  Microsoft manager admits to copying ‘Mac look and feel,’ MS denies |

  23. Posted by: Funny Gadget Gifts | Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) on November 12, 2009 at 12:01AM

    Pingback from  Funny Gadget Gifts |   Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds)

  24. Posted by: V-Technology World on November 12, 2009 at 12:12AM

    Pingback from  V-Technology World

  25. Posted by: Microsoft manager admits to copying ‘Mac look and feel,’ MS denies | Apple on November 12, 2009 at 12:26AM

    Pingback from  Microsoft manager admits to copying ‘Mac look and feel,’ MS denies | Apple

  26. Posted by: TechSheep » Blog Archive » How we really designed the look and feel of Windows 7 (Brandon LeBlanc/The Windows Blog) on November 12, 2009 at 12:38AM

    Pingback from  TechSheep                » Blog Archive          » How we really designed the look and feel of Windows 7 (Brandon LeBlanc/The Windows Blog)

  27. Posted by: Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | CHARGED's Digital Lifestyle at Work or Play on November 12, 2009 at 12:39AM

    Pingback from  Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | CHARGED's Digital Lifestyle at Work or Play

  28. Posted by: whoops: Microsoft Group manager admits “borrowing mac look and feel” for Windows 7 « joshinthecity on November 12, 2009 at 1:15AM

    Pingback from  whoops: Microsoft Group manager admits “borrowing mac look and feel” for Windows 7 « joshinthecity

  29. Posted by: Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | WebFroster on November 12, 2009 at 2:11AM

    Pingback from  Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | WebFroster

  30. Posted by: Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | WebFroster on November 12, 2009 at 2:11AM

    Pingback from  Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | WebFroster

  31. Posted by: Windows 7 Took Some Hints From MacOS? | PcBlue.com on November 12, 2009 at 2:44AM

    Pingback from  Windows 7 Took Some Hints From MacOS? | PcBlue.com

  32. Posted by: Windows 7 Took Some Hints From MacOS? | Gadgets 411 on November 12, 2009 at 2:48AM

    Pingback from  Windows 7 Took Some Hints From MacOS? | Gadgets 411

  33. Posted by: Windows 7 Took Some Hints From MacOS? | GizmoWhiz.com on November 12, 2009 at 3:03AM

    Pingback from  Windows 7 Took Some Hints From MacOS? | GizmoWhiz.com

  34. Posted by: Microsoft Disowns Manager For Suggesting That A Mac OS Inspired Windows 7 [Microsoft] | Hirdyz Emporium on November 12, 2009 at 3:23AM

    Pingback from  Microsoft Disowns Manager For Suggesting That A Mac OS Inspired Windows 7 [Microsoft] | Hirdyz Emporium

  35. Posted by: Windows 7 Took Some Hints From MacOS? | Fortysixty’s Gadget Blog on November 12, 2009 at 3:47AM

    Pingback from  Windows 7 Took Some Hints From MacOS? | Fortysixty’s Gadget Blog

  36. Posted by: Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | Programming Blog on November 12, 2009 at 3:52AM

    Pingback from  Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | Programming Blog

  37. Posted by: Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | Reaction Radio on November 12, 2009 at 3:57AM

    Pingback from  Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | Reaction Radio

  38. Posted by: Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | Programming Blog on November 12, 2009 at 3:58AM

    Pingback from  Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | Programming Blog

  39. Posted by: Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | Programming Blog on November 12, 2009 at 3:59AM

    Pingback from  Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) | Programming Blog

  40. Posted by: Free Gadget News » Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds) on November 12, 2009 at 4:20AM

    Pingback from  Free Gadget News » Microsoft group manager: Windows 7 borrowing ‘Mac look and feel’ (updated: Microsoft responds)

Recent Posts

Tags

View more

Archives

© Copyright 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.   |   Privacy Statement