Microsoft Celebrates 50 Years with Nostalgic Windows XP Crocs Giveaway
REDMOND,WA – october 3,2025 – Microsoft is marking its 50th anniversary with a surprising and highly sought-after tribute to its past: limited-edition Crocs shoes inspired by the iconic Windows XP operating system. The company is giving fans a chance to win a pair thru a social media contest, tapping into a wave of nostalgia for the beloved OS.
The Crocs feature a green interior reminiscent of the Windows XP color scheme, while the exterior showcases the famously serene “Bliss” wallpaper – the default desktop background of Windows XP. But the details don’t stop there. The shoes are also adorned with custom “Jibbitz” charms, including the Internet Explorer logo, the Recycle Bin icon, the “My Documents” folder, the MSN butterfly, a pixelated mouse pointer, and, notably, a 3D rendering of Clippy, the frequently enough-memed Microsoft Office assistant.
While some eagle-eyed fans have noted stylistic similarities to the Windows 98 boot screen and icon designs, the overall effect is a playful and affectionate nod to a pivotal era in personal computing.
“Microsoft did it!” the company proclaimed in a blog post announcing the giveaway. “To commemorate its 50th anniversary,the American giant jumps from both feet in the Geek nostalgia,with the Microsoft Limited Edition Crocs bundle.”
Thes aren’t available for purchase – at least, not yet. Microsoft is currently running a contest on its Instagram account.To enter, participants simply need to like the post and comment with the hashtag #MicrosoftCrocsweEpstakes by Tuesday, October 7th at 11:59 am Pacific Time (8:59 pm French time).
Winners will join a select group of Microsoft employees who received the Crocs in August. The company also announced plans to release a complementary backpack, promising further retro-inspired design.
The launch comes as Microsoft also addresses the future of Windows 10, offering a one-year extension of free updates for the 400 million PCs still running the operating system, as reported by BFM TV. While the future of older systems remains a concern for some users, Microsoft’s Crocs giveaway offers a lighthearted reminder of the company’s rich history and enduring connection with its fanbase.
