14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has recently released new Windows 10 icons for apps that come pre-loaded with the operating system, including Windows Security, Calendar, Calculator, Mail, and others.
And while a refreshed design is what so many people love, the opinions on whether these new icons are the right way to go are still divided right now. While some like the new icons, others believe they look childish and call for Microsoft to release another facelift that would better align with the modern approach of the operating system.
The new icons are part of Microsoft’s Fluent Design language that is being rolled out to Windows 10 gradually, and mostly target the modern apps in the operating system.
It goes without saying that many users like the design of the new icons. Here is the reaction of someone who turned to the Feedback Hub after the new icons went live for everyone a few weeks ago to praise the new icons.
“Love the new icons for Mail and Calendar, as well as the Office icons. Look forward to rest of them. They really improve the Desktop experience!” one user explains.
But on the other hand, there are so many people who don’t like the new design, either entirely or only parts of it. Many criticize the blue background, which should go away in a future update, as they explain.
“It might be better if the new icons were on a transparent background, instead of the Microsoft Blue. The user interface has made great strides towards personalization in recent years, recognizing that people don't want just a utile machine: they may spend many hours on their computer each day, and so the look of their desktop environment is very important. Making all the system icons blue doesn't help this; they actually were better in minimalist white,” one user says.
“The Office icons look good. Mail is OK, not great and Calendar looks like a factory. Alarms, Microphone, Groove, and Movies look terrible, like toys. I really like the grown-up, mature frosted-glass look of fluent design. None of these icons match that look. As I said, the Office icons do well but the others are not flat, minimal, paper-like, fluent looking or even mature looking,” another one adds.
“The gradients, skeuomorphism, rounded child- like aspects bring unsettling reminders of the worst UI designs we were plagued with in windows XP, 7 and on Apple Macs and early iPhones. As a result, these new icons feel old and dated. I can't wait until you get a real designer behind the wheel. Until then none of Windows 10's modern UI will look professional or future contemporary.”
Microsoft hasn’t responded to these messages published in the Feedback Hub.
Will the company do something about these icons and roll out an updated design to address the complaints? Highly unlikely, especially as the company has previously tested the new icons as part of the Windows Insider program and most likely, the feedback it received was positive.
The next feature update for Windows 10 is version 2004, and it is supposed to go live as soon as April or May. No new icons would be included in this update, so it’s not known for the time being if Microsoft is planning any other changes in this regard.
In the meantime, there’s a better chance Microsoft would actually bring the new icons in more parts of the operating system, with the facelift to continue in apps like Settings and others. And given the new icons are already there for everyone, it’s hard to believe the company plans to give up on them anytime soon.