Microsoft Logo Redesign: Before-and-After Evaluation
A practical before-and-after evaluation of the Microsoft logo redesign, focusing on what changed in the artwork and what that means for vector logo use.
Contents
Direct answer
The Microsoft logo redesign is best understood as a comparison between the previous wordmark and the 2012 identity: the former centred on an italic wordmark with a distinctive notch in the letter o, while the current lockup pairs a plain, upright Segoe-based wordmark with the four-square symbol in red, green, blue and yellow. From a vector-logo perspective, the redesign simplified the mark into flat geometric shapes, which makes the artwork easier to reproduce consistently at small sizes and across digital and print applications. However, a supplied filename or preview alone cannot tell you whether an asset contains true editable vector paths, embedded bitmap data, or only a raster preview.
What changed in the artwork
The previous identity relied on an italic, slanted wordmark. Its most recognizable detail was the cut or notch in the letter o, which gave the typography a faster, more stylized character. The current identity removes that italic treatment and the notched o in favour of a straight, neutral wordmark.
The redesigned mark is built around a clearer lockup: the Microsoft wordmark sits beside a symbol made of four flat, adjacent squares, each in one of the brand colours. Because the squares use simple geometry and solid fills, the mark translates well into clean vector outlines. The change reduced the reliance on a custom letterform and moved the identity toward a more modular, grid-based structure.
Before-and-after comparison
| Aspect | Before the redesign | After the redesign |
| Wordmark style | Italic, slanted lettering | Upright, neutral lettering |
| Distinctive letterform detail | Notched o | No notch; simplified treatment |
| Supporting symbol | Not part of the same four-square lockup | Four flat squares in red, green, blue, yellow |
| Overall construction | Typography-led identity | Wordmark plus geometric symbol |
| Vector-friendliness | More dependent on the custom letterform | Simpler flat geometry, easier to reproduce |
Practical implications for vector logo use
When preparing or evaluating a Microsoft logo file, the useful check is not the look alone but what the file actually contains. A logo that appears flat and geometric may still be supplied as an embedded raster image inside a container file, or it may include a bitmap preview that is not the editable artwork. Reliable paths are confirmed by opening the file in a vector editor and inspecting the object structure, not by extension or filename.
Permission to download a logo is also separate from permission to modify it. Redrawing the four-square symbol or resetting the wordmark may involve trademark and font restrictions even when an asset is available for download. The redesign's simpler construction can make placement and layout easier, but it does not by itself create a licence to alter the official artwork.
Evidence and gaps
This assessment is based on the visible differences between the two identities: the earlier italic wordmark with its notched o and the 2012 upright wordmark with the four-colour square symbol. No supplied source files were available to confirm point counts, path structure, font files, embedding method, or the licence terms of any actual download. Those details should be verified in the target asset before production use.