Editing Microsoft Bob (section)

{{Short description|Microsoft software product}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Microsoft Bob
| logo = Microsoft Bob Logo.png
| logo size = 250px
| developer = [[Microsoft]]
| released = {{Start date and age|1995|03|10}}<ref name=lifeobsoleteproducts>{{cite web|title=Lifecycle Information for Microsoft Obsolete Products Support |url=http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeobsoleteproducts |website=support.microsoft.com |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |access-date=15 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050814234847/http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeobsoleteproducts |archive-date=14 August 2005 }}</ref>
| latest release version = 1.00a
| latest release date = {{start date|1995|08|30}}<ref name=lifeobsoleteproducts />
| discontinued = yes
| operating system = [[Windows 3.1]], [[Windows 95]], [[Windows 98]], [[Windows Me]], [[Windows XP]]<ref name= microsoftbobdiscussion>{{cite web |title = Raymond Chen Discusses Microsoft Bob |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2008.07.windowsconfidential.aspx |website=technet.microsoft.com |date=September 8, 2016 |publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=28 April 2017}}</ref>
| genre = [[GUI]]
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
}}
'''Microsoft Bob''' was a [[Microsoft]] [[software]] product intended to provide a more user-friendly interface for the [[Windows 3.1]], [[Windows 95]] and [[Windows NT]] operating systems, supplanting the Windows [[Program Manager]]. The program was released on March 10, 1995, and discontinued in early 1996. Microsoft Bob presented screens showing a house, with rooms that the user could visit containing familiar objects corresponding to computer applications, such as a desk with pen and paper and a checkbook. Clicking on the pen and paper would open the system's [[word processor]].

A cartoon dog named Rover and other cartoon characters provided guidance using [[speech balloon]]s.

Upon release, Microsoft Bob was criticized in the media and did not gain wide acceptance with users, which resulted in its discontinuation. Its legacy would be observed in future Microsoft products, notably the use of virtual assistants. The Rover character later reappeared as a [[Windows XP]] search companion.