Bliss wallpaper Archives

Winsage

December 1, 2025

Microsoft’s 2025 Limted Edition Windows Ugly Sweater celebrates 50 years of nostalgia with Clippy, DOS, MSN, and more— and it’ll sell out fast, so act now!

Microsoft has released the Windows Ugly Sweater for 2025, featuring characters like Clippy and the Paint application in celebration of the company's upcoming 50th anniversary. It is available for purchase through the Microsoft Company Store. The tradition began in 2019 with the Windows XP Ugly Sweater, initially gifted to influencers, and became available to a wider audience in 2020. Subsequent themes included Minesweeper in 2021, Clippy in 2022, and the Windows XP Bliss wallpaper in 2023. There was no Ugly Sweater in 2024, but it has returned for 2025.

Winsage

October 2, 2025

Microsoft’s Windows XP Crocs are here — here’s how to acquire your own pair

Microsoft is offering a chance to win a pair of limited-edition Windows XP Crocs as part of its 50th anniversary sweepstakes. The Crocs feature the Bliss wallpaper and are not available for direct purchase. To enter the sweepstakes, participants must comment on a relevant post using the hashtag #MicrosoftCrocSweepstakes. The Bliss wallpaper, captured by photographer Charles O'Rear in 1996, became the default wallpaper for Windows XP after Microsoft acquired its rights in 2000. The Windows XP Crocs are part of a broader celebration that includes the release of a limited-edition Surface Laptop 7 and other nostalgic elements.

Winsage

August 7, 2025

Microsoft’s anniversary edition Windows XP-themed Crocs are definitely a look, but I’m not entirely sure I could carry them off

Microsoft has released a special anniversary edition of Crocs inspired by Windows XP, featuring a design that replicates the iconic Bliss wallpaper. The upper part of the footwear showcases fluffy white clouds against a blue sky, while the soles depict lush green grass. A worldwide launch is expected, though no specific dates have been provided. The Bliss image, captured by photographer Charles O’Rear in 1996 and acquired by Microsoft before Windows XP's release in 2001, depicts a hill in Sonoma County, California, which has since become a vineyard. Bliss was once one of the most viewed photographs globally, reflecting the popularity of Windows XP.

Winsage

August 6, 2025

These $80 Windows XP Crocs just made me desperate for Android footwear

Microsoft has collaborated with Crocs to create limited-edition footwear celebrating the 50th anniversary of the company and the nostalgia of Windows XP. The shoes feature a sky blue design with grassy green soles, reminiscent of the Bliss wallpaper. Each pair includes a six-pack of Microsoft-themed charms, such as the MSN logo, Internet Explorer emblem, Clippy, and the classic mouse pointer. Microsoft employees have exclusive pre-order access, and each purchase comes with a matching Bliss drawstring backpack. The price of the Crocs is not specified. There is also a growing desire in the tech community for similar custom footwear, particularly Android-themed Crocs.

Winsage

August 5, 2025

Microsoft is making Windows XP crocs — complete with XP inspired Jibbitz for maximum nerd cred

Microsoft has announced the creation of Windows XP-themed Crocs, featuring the Bliss wallpaper design and Jibbitz charms inspired by Microsoft products. Currently, these Crocs are available exclusively to Microsoft employees but will soon be accessible to the public. This launch is part of Microsoft's 50th anniversary celebration. The Bliss wallpaper was captured by photographer Charles O'Rear in 1998 and became synonymous with Windows XP after Microsoft acquired its rights in 2000.

Winsage

August 5, 2025

Microsoft’s Windows XP Crocs are no joke

Microsoft has released a limited edition of Crocs inspired by the Windows XP operating system to celebrate its 50th anniversary. These Crocs feature a Clippy shoe charm and are currently available for preorder exclusively to Microsoft employees, with a global launch planned soon. Each pair is priced at an undisclosed amount and includes a six-pack of Microsoft Jibbitz with symbols like the original MSN logo, the Internet Explorer icon, Clippy, and a mouse pointer. The design reflects the iconic Bliss wallpaper from Windows XP, featuring a blue sky and green sole. Each purchase also includes a Bliss drawstring backpack. An official comment from Microsoft regarding the Crocs is expected soon.

Winsage

May 1, 2025

4 Windows versions Windows 12 should shamelessly imitate

Windows 12 is speculated to potentially launch in two to three years, following the end of support for Windows 10. It may draw inspiration from previous successful versions like Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 10, focusing on user customization, performance, and reducing bloatware. Windows 11, launched six years after Windows 10, introduced a new visual style and features but faced criticism over hardware requirements. Windows 12 is expected to build on Windows 11's foundation with incremental improvements and enhanced support for ARM processors.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

From pixels to pinot: The Windows XP ‘Bliss’ wallpaper hill was real and this is what it looks like now

Windows XP is celebrated for its user-friendly interface and vibrant aesthetics, particularly the "Bliss" wallpaper, which features a real location in Sonoma County, California. The photograph was taken by Charles O’Rear in 1996 and sold to Microsoft before the operating system's launch in 2001. The original image has a resolution of 4,510 by 3,627 pixels, compared to the 800 by 600 pixel version included with Windows XP. Over time, the depicted hill transformed into a vineyard, reflecting Sonoma County's role in California's wine production, which contributed approximately 6% of the state's output in 2021. Microsoft ended support for Windows XP in 2014, with the last version ceasing in 2019. Windows XP was a significant advancement over its predecessors and was used on the International Space Station until it was replaced by Linux in 2013. Windows 11 was released in 2021, with indications that 2025 will focus on a "Windows 11 PC refresh."

Winsage

February 24, 2025

Need a Windows 10 alternative? Still miss XP? This Linux distro is for you

Since the late 1990s, the journey through Linux and open-source technology has aimed to simplify the operating system for newcomers, especially those transitioning from Windows. The Q40S distribution, also known as XPQ4, offers rethemed versions that mimic Windows 10 or Windows XP. Q40S is based on Debian, and XPQ4 provides the Windows-like appearance. FreeXP resembles Windows XP, while Free10 mirrors Windows 10. The FreeXP version includes the Bliss Wallpaper and a familiar Start button, while Free10 aligns more closely with Windows 10. The installation of Free10 is straightforward, and it features a quality interface that captures the essence of Windows 10. The Q40S Welcome Screen offers access to various tools, including the Desktop Profile tool for alternative desktop environments. Free10 presents a standard KDE Plasma menu with a Windows 10-like twist. Users can customize the bottom panel and themes, but changing the theme may detract from the Windows 10 experience. Application installation differs from Windows, requiring Wine for .exe files, while KDE Discover provides a user-friendly interface for installing applications. Free10 does not have Flatpak support enabled by default, but it can be added. Free10 is suitable for those transitioning from Windows 10 to a cost-free operating system with ongoing support and security. It can be downloaded and installed on multiple computers, making it a reliable alternative to traditional operating systems.

Winsage

February 18, 2025

Who needs Windows 11? FreeXP is a modern version of Microsoft’s greatest OS, powered by Debian Linux

Windows XP is often regarded as a beloved classic and a significant advancement over its predecessors, despite debates about whether Windows 7 or Windows 10 is superior. FreeXP, a non-official operating system based on Debian Linux, replicates the Windows XP aesthetic within the Q4OS desktop environment. It features a nostalgic interface with the iconic Bliss wallpaper, classic XP Start menu, taskbar, and familiar icons. FreeXP can run as live media without installation and includes modern features like virtual desktop support and the option to install the Chromium browser. Users can customize their experience with various themes, including Windows 2000, Windows XP Classic, Windows XP Luna, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 Light, and Q4OS Default. FreeXP is available for download.