In a recent reflection on the evolution of Windows operating systems, Microsoft veteran software engineer Raymond Chen shared intriguing insights from his ongoing series, The Old New Thing. It has been over 15 years since the announcement of Windows 8 on June 1, 2011, and while support for the operating system was officially withdrawn on January 12, 2016, the stories behind its development continue to resonate.
Inside the Development of Windows 8
During the early stages of Windows 8, the development team faced the challenge of naming their creation. In a candid revelation, Chen noted that they settled on the rather straightforward label of “the modern experience” to differentiate it from its predecessor, Windows 7, which was dubbed “the classic experience.” This straightforward approach, however, soon led to a flurry of abbreviations within the company.
“During the development of Windows 8, we needed a name for ‘that thing we’re creating.’ Not being a particularly clever bunch when it comes to code names, we just called it ‘the modern experience.’” — Raymond Chen
As is common in large organizations, the shorthand quickly morphed into a unique dialect known as Microspeak. For instance, the new shell was referred to as the “modern shell”, abbreviated to “MoSh”, while the classic shell was simply called the “classic shell.” Some team members even attempted to create a more playful term, ClaSh, although it didn’t gain much traction.
Chen humorously noted that when the team struggled to name a component, they often resorted to appending the prefix “Mo” to their terms. This led to the creation of names like MoGo for the new Start menu, which had originally been referred to as the “Go page.” The naming conventions continued with “MoSet” for the settings control panel and “MoCo” for the ListView control, showcasing a blend of creativity and practicality in their internal communications.
The Evolution of Microsoft’s Internal Slang
As time has progressed, Microsoft’s internal slang has adapted and evolved. Recently, the company introduced Windows K2, an internal codename for a comprehensive project aimed at addressing the most pressing issues within Windows 11. This initiative reflects Microsoft’s commitment to enhancing user experience and responding to feedback.
In line with this commitment, Microsoft has begun implementing changes to alleviate user frustrations, such as reducing the visibility of Copilot and its integrations, which faced criticism from users. Additionally, the company has granted Windows 11 users the ability to postpone updates indefinitely, a feature reminiscent of the flexibility offered during the Windows 8 era.
For those interested in tracking the progress of Windows K2 and engaging in discussions about the latest developments, Microsoft encourages participation in the community on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral.
