īob included the ability to install new applications, but because of the failure of the product only a single add-on application package, Microsoft Great Greetings, was ever released. These shortcuts display the icon inside various styles of decorations such as boxes and picture frames. The user can also add shortcuts to applications on their computer. The applications built into Bob are represented by matching decorations – for example, clicking on a clock opens the calendar, while a pen and paper represent the word processor. There is also a feature in which Bob offers multiple themes for room designs and decorations, such as contemporary and postmodern. The user can also add or remove rooms from the house and change the destinations of each door. The user has full control over decorating each room, and can add, remove, or reposition all objects. Bob offers the user the option of fully customizing the entire house. Each room contains decorations and furniture, as well as icons that represent applications. Similar to early graphical shells like Jane, the main interface is portrayed as the inside of a house, with different rooms corresponding to common real-world room styles such as a kitchen or family room. The user interface was designed to simplify the navigational experience for novice computer users. The Microsoft Bob character Rover appeared as a Windows XP search companion and Clippit, nicknamed 'Clippy' the anthropomorphized paperclip as a digital assistant for Microsoft Office.Ī screenshot of the 'family room' area of the Microsoft Bob software, including the 'Assistant' character Rover.īob included various office suite programs such as a finance application and a word processor. Its legacy would be observed in future Microsoft products, notably the use of virtual assistants.

Upon release, Microsoft Bob was criticized in the media and did not gain wide acceptance with users, which resulted in its discontinuation. In this case, clicking on the pen and paper would open the word processor.Ī cartoon dog named Rover and other cartoon characters provided guidance using speech balloons.

Microsoft Bob presented screens showing a 'house', with 'rooms' that the user could go to containing familiar objects corresponding to computer applications-for instance, a desk with pen and paper, a checkbook, and other items. The program was released on March 11, 1995, and discontinued in early 1996. Microsoft Bob was a Microsoft software product intended to provide a more user-friendly interface for the Windows 3.1x, Windows 95 and Windows NT operating systems, supplanting the Windows Program Manager.

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