MSN Revives Its Nostalgic Logo After 30 Years
Wait, what year is it in again? I know Y2K is big right now, but it seems we’ve reached a peak. Microsoft’s web portal MSN is back almost thirty years after its launch, and it has a nostalgic logo to mark the occasion.
A Blast from the Past
First launched with Windows 95, MSN is being revived to provide Microsoft’s shopping and gaming services along with the Bing search engine and news and sports aggregation. The last major MSN logo redesign was ten years ago back in 2014, so it makes sense for Microsoft to signal MSN’s resurrection with a design refresh, but some are surprised about how familiar it looks (see the history of the MSN logo below, and see our pick of the best logos of the 2000s for more Y2K magic).
A Look Back at the MSN Logo Evolution
The MSN butterfly was introduced in 2000(Image credit: Microsoft)
MSN’s logo was redesigned in 2009(Image credit: Microsoft)
In 2014, MSN was given a more serious, minimalist look(Image credit: Microsoft)
The Revival of MSN
MSN never went away completely. The name, which stands for Microsoft Network if you’re wondering, was gradually dropped from services like MSN Messenger, Hotmail, and Search (now Skype, Outlook and Bing, respectively). However, the news portal remained online, although most content redirected to Microsoft’s Start.
But now the Start webpage is showing MSN branding, while opening a new tab in Edge, Microsoft’s browser, now brings up MSN. We’re not sure if the Microsoft Start mobile apps will also transition to MSN, but it seems it would make most sense to transition all news and content aggregation back to the MSN brand.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s revival of MSN is an interesting move, as the brand is more connected with the past than the present. However, nostalgia is a powerful force, and many users will likely be drawn to the familiar logo and branding. Only time will tell if this move will be successful, but for now, it’s a nod to the past and a chance for Microsoft to connect with its heritage.
FAQs
Q: What is MSN?
A: MSN stands for Microsoft Network and is a web portal that provides news, sports, and entertainment content.
Q: What services will MSN provide?
A: MSN will provide Microsoft’s shopping and gaming services, as well as Bing search engine and news and sports aggregation.
Q: Will the Microsoft Start mobile apps transition to MSN?
A: We’re not sure, but it seems it would make most sense to transition all news and content aggregation back to the MSN brand.
