Ex Microsoft President Steven Sinofsky hosts an hour and 14 minute long “unauthorized biography” of Clippy

2 min. read

Published onApril 30, 2019

published onApril 30, 2019

Share this article

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

Over the past 20 years, Microsoft has built several products that didn’t fare very well in the market, to the point where they even became subject of mockery. From Microsoft Bob to Clippy to the short-lived Kin mobile phone, it seems that Clippy may be probably the rare exception that now generates some kind of nostalgia among long-time Microsoft fans.

Clippy (née Clipit) has been officially retired in April 2011, and eight years after its demise Steven Sinosfky, the former President of the Windows Division has participated to an hour and 14 minute long “unauthorized biography” of the Office Assistant. This is actually from the latest a16z podcast from Andreessen Horowitz, a private American venture capital firm that Sinofsky joined as a Board partner after leaving Microsoft back in 2012.

https://twitter.com/stevesi/status/1122199404536942592

As a person who previously had a key role on the development of Microsoft Office, Sinofsky has some unique insights about what was pretty much a very early version of the digital assistants many of us now use almost every day. “In the 90’s software was really hard to use”, explained Sinofsky in a long Twitter thread, adding that “the choice to take on massive risk in a feature like Clip-It should not be under-estimated. I love this part of that era of MS. Taking risk as a leader, regardless of how secure, is a truly differentiated part of culture,” he continued.

Microsoft obviously failed to achieve what it wanted to do with Clippy, but the former Office Assistant still has its fans after all these years. As a matter of fact, Clippy was almost resurrected as adownloadable pack of stickers for Microsoft Teams last month, but the software giant quickly removed them from the Internet. “Clippy is flattered by all the attention but plans to continue his retirement,” a Microsoft employeeannouncedon the Microsoft Teams feedback website.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

User forum

0 messages

Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes

Comment*

Name*

Email*

Commenting as.Not you?

Save information for future comments

Comment

Radu Tyrsina

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities#

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount#

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier#

Ex Microsoft President Steven Sinofsky hosts an hour and 14 minute long “unauthorized biography” of Clippy#

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier

Ex Microsoft President Steven Sinofsky hosts an hour and 14 minute long “unauthorized biography” of Clippy