Microsoft has unveiled its Windows Ugly Sweater again this year. This year's product celebrates the 50th anniversary of Windows and features a collection of familiar symbols from the Windows era. It features a dense array of iconic Windows icons, including Clippy, Paint, MSDos, MSN, Internet Explorer, and MindSweeper. The sweater was available on the Microsoft online store, and most sizes quickly sold out immediately after its release.
The Ugly Sweater series first appeared in 2018 as a non-commercial item featuring the Windows 95 logo. It was followed by Windows XP themes in 2019, Paint in 2020, Mindsweeper in 2021, Clippy in 2022, and Bliss wallpapers in 2023. No sweaters were produced in 2024, and the series resumed in 2025.
This year's sweater's popularity stemmed from a different reason. The inclusion of the Windows Co-Pilot logo among icons focused on retro sensibilities sparked confusion among users. Some international media outlets, citing the low popularity of Co-Pilot, criticized the decision to include Co-Pilot amidst icons reminiscent of the past as overly promoting AI. Some also noted that the Ugly Sweater, despite its playful and lighthearted nature, failed to escape the AI craze.
Meanwhile, Microsoft also unveiled a Windows Sweater, along with a sweater using the June brand and an Xbox holiday sweater. The Xbox product received positive reviews for its relatively subdued design, while the other two, with their retro graphics, sold out immediately after their release. Some users even shared reviews saying the sweaters ran small.
