Microsoft has officially begun selling its much-discussed Windows XP–themed Crocs, transforming what was originally a whimsical promotional concept into a purchasable collector’s item. Earlier this month, the company quietly introduced the design through a sweepstakes event on Instagram, giving fans a tantalizing preview. Now, anyone with a sense of nostalgia—or simply a fondness for unconventional collaborations—can acquire a pair for $79.95 through Microsoft’s official online company store. Each pair is offered in limited quantities, reinforcing the exclusivity and commemorative nature of this unique release.
The design of the Windows XP Crocs pays meticulous homage to one of the most recognizable digital vistas in computing history—the classic Windows XP wallpaper. Known for its calm blue sky streaked with soft white clouds and rolling stretches of vivid green grass, this image once served as the default desktop for millions of users around the world. Microsoft’s designers have ingeniously translated these visual elements into footwear form: the upper portion of the Crocs displays the serene expanse of the sky and clouds, while the sole, rendered in a lively shade of green, evokes the gentle slope of the virtual meadow beneath. The result is a pair of shoes that quite literally brings the desktop landscape to life underfoot.
Adding to the nostalgic flair, each purchase includes a set of six Microsoft-branded Jibbitz charms—small, customizable embellishments traditionally used to personalize Crocs. These charms celebrate beloved symbols from the company’s past: the vintage MSN logo, the instantly recognizable Internet Explorer icon, the animated Office assistant Clippy, and even a classic mouse pointer, among others. Together, they form a miniature time capsule of early 2000s digital culture and the playful aesthetic of an era when personal computing was becoming both more accessible and more expressive.
To complete the themed ensemble, Microsoft also includes a matching Windows XP drawstring backpack. This complementary accessory extends the nostalgic motif, allowing fans to carry their footwear—or any personal items—in a bag that echoes the same visual iconography as the shoes themselves. The entire bundle, offered at the same $79.95 price point, underscores Microsoft’s attention to detail and its awareness of how design can bridge nostalgia and contemporary fashion trends.
Enthusiasts first caught wind of these distinctive Crocs in August, when internal images surfaced showing that Microsoft had begun offering them to employees ahead of the wider public release. At the time, company representatives clarified that the Windows XP Crocs were not the result of an official commercial partnership with Crocs, but rather an independently organized creative project. The initiative was described as “a fun, limited-run celebration” commemorating Microsoft’s 50th anniversary—a milestone that the company chose to honor by blending humor, innovation, and cultural memory. Through this unexpected crossover between technology and lifestyle apparel, Microsoft continues to demonstrate its capacity to reinterpret its own legacy in ways that feel both lighthearted and profoundly evocative.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/798193/microsoft-windows-xp-crocs-price-release-date
