Microsoft releases annual Ugly Windows Sweater with Clippy

For the fifth year in a row, Microsoft is releasing the Windows Ugly Sweater – for the 2022 model, the company has used its canonical paperclip, the Clippy assistant. The Windows Ugly Sweater debuted in 2018 with a Windows 95-inspired design, and the next year with a Windows XP-inspired design. Both were released in very limited editions and were not publicly sold at the time. There was also a 2020 Microsoft Paint design that people could actually buy, with Microsoft also releasing limited editions of old sweaters for fans. Finally, last year’s sweater used Minesweeper .

Like many ’90s relics, Clippy has cult status and is the subject of jokes and memes. The assistant first appeared in 1996 as part of the Office 97 suite, and users hated it. Clippy was redesigned in Office 2000 but was disabled by default in Office XP and completely removed in Office 2007.

The sweaters are available on the Microsoft Store and you can buy them right now for $74.99. As always, the proceeds will go to a good cause. This year, Windows Ugly Sweater is supporting the College Success Foundation, a non-profit organization that “helps low-income students achieve their dream of college education.” Microsoft says it will donate $100,000.