Editing Microsoft Agent (section)

{{short description|Virtual software agent technology}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Microsoft Agent
| title = Microsoft Agent
| logo = 
| logo caption = 
| screenshot = Microsoft Agent test page.png
| caption = Microsoft provides examples on its website for the use of Agent.
| collapsible = 
| author = Microsoft
| developer = 
| released = {{Start date and age|1997|9|8}}<ref name="msagent-1997">{{cite web | url=https://news.microsoft.com/1997/09/08/microsoft-agent-released-to-the-web-for-free-download/ |title=Microsoft Agent Released to the Web for Free Download |publisher=Microsoft |date=1997-09-08 |access-date=2024-08-20}}</ref>
| discontinued = yes
| latest release version = 2.0
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|1998|10|12}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.microsoft.com/1998/10/12/microsoft-agent-2-0-adds-a-more-human-touch-to-computing/ |title=Microsoft Agent 2.0 Adds a More Human Touch to Computing |publisher=Microsoft |date=1998-10-12 |access-date=2024-08-20}}</ref>
| latest preview version = 
| latest preview date = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|df=yes/no}} -->
| programming language = 
| operating system = [[Microsoft Windows]]
| platform = 
| size = 
| language = Multiple languages
| language count = <!-- DO NOT include this parameter unless you know what it does -->
| language footnote = 
| genre = 
| license = 
| website = <nowiki>https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/lwef/microsoft-agent</nowiki>
and {{URL|https://web.archive.org/web/20050402034116/http://www.microsoft.com/products/msagent/default.asp}}
| standard = 
| AsOf = 
}}

'''Microsoft Agent''' is a technology developed by [[Microsoft]] which employs animated characters, [[Speech synthesis|text-to-speech engine]]s, and [[speech recognition]] software to enhance interaction with computer users. It came pre-installed as part of [[Windows 2000]] and later versions of [[Microsoft Windows]] up to [[Windows Vista]]. It was not included with [[Windows 7]], and was completely discontinued in [[Windows 8]]. Microsoft Agent functionality was exposed as an [[ActiveX control]] that can be used by web pages.

The theory behind the software came from work on social interfaces by [[Clifford Nass]] and Byron Reeves at [[Stanford]]'s Center for the Study of Language and Information.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stanford.edu/dept/news/pr/95/950106Arc5423.html |title=Social science research influences computer product design |publisher=Stanford.edu |accessdate=2013-06-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313075429/https://web.stanford.edu/dept/news/pr/95/950106Arc5423.html |archive-date=2018-03-13 |url-status=dead}}</ref>