Windows Trademark Guidelines
Follow these guidelines when referring to Windows-brand products, including but not limited to Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), Windows CE, Windows XP, Windows Server, Windows NT, and Windows Mobile.
Companies that create products or services that work with one or more Windows-brand products may reference the applicable Windows-brand product on their product packaging, in documentation, and in marketing materials provided they follow the guidelines outlined on this page.
Using the Windows Trademark in Text
These guidelines cover the use of the Windows trademark in text.
Properly Identify Windows Products
Follow these guidelines when using the umbrella name Windows and version-specific references to a particular Windows-brand product in the text of your materials. The following is a partial list of Windows products:
Windows 95 operating system
Windows 98 operating system
Windows 2000 operating system
Windows CE operating system
Windows Me operating system
Windows XP operating system
Windows Server 2003 operating system
Windows NT operating system
Windows Mobile
Set the Windows Trademark Apart from Other Words or Nouns It Modifies
The common way to set the trademark apart from other words or nouns is to capitalize the product name and use the appropriate trademark symbol and appropriate descriptor. You may also use underlining, italic type, or bold type for the name Windows.
Correct: After you install the Windows operating system
Incorrect: After installing Windows programs
Use Trademark Notices
Include an attribution of Microsoft ownership of the Windows trademark in the credit notice section of your documentation or advertisement. Follow this format:
Do Not Shorten, Abbreviate, or Create Acronyms for the Windows Trademark
Correct: This product works with Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows NT.
Incorrect: This product works with Windows 98, Win2000, and NT.
Do Not Use Inappropriate Descriptors
Windows is a trademark that identifies Microsoft operating system software. Do not refer to applications, services, or hardware devices that work with Windows as "Windows applications," "Windows services," or "Windows hardware." If necessary, these types of products can be referred to by their relationship to the Windows operating system by inserting the word "based" between the name Windows and the type of product designed to work with Windows.
Correct: SpreadsheetXYZ is a Windows-based application.
Incorrect: SpreadsheetXYZ is a Windows application.
Do Not Use the Windows Trademark in the Possessive or Plural Form
Microsoft trademarks should never be used in the possessive or plural form. They should be used as a proper adjective followed by an appropriate descriptor.
Correct: The Windows interface is so intuitive that even first-time users get up to speed quickly.
Incorrect: Windows' interface is so intuitive that even first-time users get up to speed quickly.
Additional Guidelines for the Use of the Windows Trademark
The following are guidelines for using the Windows trademark in other scenarios.
Compatibility
You may use the Windows word mark (but not the Windows logo) on packaging, promotional or advertising materials, or your Web site to indicate that your product or service is compatible with Windows, provided the reference complies with the guidelines herein and the specifications that are listed in this section. Any use of the Windows logo to indicate compatibility must be pursuant to a logo license under one of the Microsoft Logo Programs.
You may use the Windows trademark in a referential phrase such as "works with Windows XP," "runs on Windows 2000," "for use with Windows," "for Windows," or "compatible with Windows XP." (If your product works with only one version of a Windows product, refer to that version specifically.) Maintain a visual distinction between your company and product name and the Windows trademark. (Windows should be less prominent.)
Do not use Windows in your product or service name or your company name.
Do not use product, service, or company names that could be confused with the Windows trademark.
Do not mimic or copy Windows product packaging, advertising, or trade dress.
Do not use the Windows trademark more prominently than your product or service name. You should maintain a visual distinction between your company and product name and the Windows trademark.
Do not create or use any logos that include the Windows trademark unless your use is pursuant to a license from Microsoft. For example, do not create your own Windows compatibility logo.
Logos
Do not use the Windows logo on or in connection with products, packaging, manuals, promotional or advertising materials, or Web sites for any purpose except pursuant to an express written trademark license from Microsoft. See the Logo Programs page for more details.
Publications, Seminars, and Conferences
You may use the Windows trademark in connection with magazines and periodicals and in the title of seminars or conferences if you comply with the guidelines herein and the specifications that are listed here.
The publication, seminar, or conference should relate specifically to the Windows operating system.
Your name and logo should appear more prominently than the Windows trademark on all printed materials related to the magazine, periodical, seminar, or conference.
A disclaimer of sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement by Microsoft, similar to the following example, must be included on the publication and related printed materials:
(Title) is an independent (publication) and is not affiliated with, nor has it been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation.
You should include a trademark attribution per the notice format provided in the Use Trademark Notices section of this page.
Do not use the Windows trademark as the leading word or the most prominent element in your magazine, periodical, seminar, or conference title. You may use Windows in a referential manner such as "XYZ MAGAZINE for the Windows operating system." Use outside this referential manner (such as "Windows Magazine") requires a license from Microsoft Corporation.
Do not use the Windows logo on or in the publication, or on any materials related to the publication, seminar, or conference. Special circumstances may merit a license from Microsoft.
Do not use the Windows trademark in any manner that might suggest Microsoft affiliation with, sponsorship of, or certification of the magazine, periodical, seminar, or conference.
Endorsement or Sponsorship
Do not use the name Windows in any manner that expresses or implies Microsoft affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement, certification, or approval. Do not use the Windows trademark in such a manner that it appears Microsoft is legally associated with your company. Display your company name more prominently than the Windows trademark on all materials.
Merchandise Items
Do not manufacture, sell, or give away merchandise items, such as T-shirts or mugs, that bear the Windows trademark, including the Windows logo.
