Microsoft's world-renowned operating system, Windows, has been a dominant force in the computing world for decades. However, few people know that the tech giant has attempted to create an entirely new operating system that would be completely free of the Windows code. This project was called 'Midori' and was one of the most exciting, but ultimately failed, attempts in history.

The initial steps of Midori

In 2008, it was revealed that Microsoft was working on a completely new Windows alternative. Midori's goal was to create a rewritten operating system from the ground up that did not build on the existing Windows code. This was a radical move, as it would have meant decades of development and optimization of Windows to put everything on a new foundation.

The most exciting aspect of Midori was not just the abandonment of the old code. The new operating system promised new features, tools and an innovative web browser that together would provide a whole new user experience. New approaches and technological innovations could have opened up a new era for Microsoft.

Hopes and reality

In a presentation in 2013, Microsoft still had high hopes for Midori. Joe Duffy, who was closely involved in the project, gave a detailed presentation on Midori's new ideas and approaches. This presentation, which is now available on X, gives an insight into the ambitious plans that Microsoft has in the pipeline.

The end of the experiment

Two years later, in 2015, Microsoft officially stopped developing Midori. Although scepticism about the project was already present, internal crises and the search for new directions probably led to the final decision. Nevertheless, some of the ideas and approaches of the Midori project were incorporated into later versions of Windows.

After the Midori project was cancelled, Microsoft kept the details of the project secret, but the experience and ideas gained from the project lived on. Although Midori never came to fruition, Microsoft's experiment showed that the tech giant was ready for radical change and innovation.

The story of Midori is an exciting chapter in Microsoft's history, giving us a glimpse of the opportunities and challenges the company has faced. Although the project ultimately failed, the ideas and lessons learned from it have continued to shape the future. This story reminds us that technological innovation often requires bold steps and risks.