Windows XP — now in Crocs format

👟 Microsoft will celebrate its 50th anniversary… on the feet of Windows fans.

Instead of a boring anniversary press release, the corporation decided to play on nostalgia and unveiled a limited edition Crocs collection in the Windows XP style — featuring the legendary landscape of green hills and blue sky.

According to The Verge, the anniversary model will be part of Microsoft’s official 50th anniversary celebration.

• The design is based on the legendary Bliss wallpaper, familiar to billions of users.
  
• The set includes:
  • a pair of clogs in Windows XP’s signature colors,
  • a set of 6 Jibbits (decorative charms): MSN logo, Microsoft Network butterfly, Internet Explorer icon, “My Documents” folder, mouse cursor, and of course Clippy — the legendary office assistant who always “offered help” where it wasn’t needed,
  • a Clippy-shaped keychain,
  • a branded storage bag decorated with the same California hills.

The approximate price per pair is $80, but for now, pre-orders are only available to Microsoft employees. Rumor has it that global sales will begin in the coming weeks, and the collection will sell out faster than old Windows XP boots up after updates.

An iconic photo

The Bliss wallpaper was photographed by Charles O’Rear in 1996 in Napa Valley, California. Microsoft later purchased exclusive rights and used the image in Windows XP.

The result: the image became the most recognizable photo in history, appearing on over a billion screens. Now this “digital landscape” has been transferred to footwear, becoming a unique symbol of the era.

Why it matters

The collaboration with Crocs is not just a marketing trick. Microsoft emphasizes its heritage and connection across generations — from XP users to fans of cloud technology. Crocs, known for its bold designer collaborations, gains another viral hit on social media.

Experts are already joking: “These Crocs are the only version of Windows that won’t freeze on startup.”

Earlier, Microsoft made headlines for a very different reason — the company disconnected an Indian oil company linked to Russia from its services. But against the backdrop of political news, the XP-Crocs launch feels light, warm, and an ironic reminder of the good old days when “only the mouse froze, not the global economy.”

📊 Summary

• The Microsoft & Crocs collaboration — nostalgia turned into marketing gold.
  
  
• The shoes promise to become a collectible hit, especially among fans of old OSes and retro culture.
• The only question left: will the Windows XP startup sound play the first time you put them on?