Everyone's favorite friendly paperclip (or nuisance) is back: Clippy! Microsoft revealed a series of nostalgic backgrounds for Microsoft Teams, one of which features the notoriously annoying Office helper.
Bring Clippy to Your Teams Meetings
In celebration of #ThrowbackThursday, Microsoft unveiled a set of Teams backgrounds that pay homage to the most memorable moments of Windows' past. Microsoft laid out all the nostalgic backgrounds in a playful post on the Microsoft newsroom, and described how the elements of each had an impact on Windows.
Clippy is featured in one of these backgrounds, which shows the animated paperclip with its famous yellow paper.
"Whether you love or loathe Clippy, it's hard to not smile—just admit it—when you see it pop up in a meme somewhere," Microsoft said in the post. "You may think Clippy was too persistent, too eager, perhaps even too polite. We like to think that Clippy, the true OG virtual assistant, was just a bit ahead of its time."
And if you were hoping that Clippy would make an appearance in an upcoming Microsoft 365 update, you're going to be sorely disappointed. Microsoft wrote, "No, Clippy is not a part of Microsoft 365, but regardless, we can only hope that this high-definition portrait of it as your next Teams background will bring some levity to your next meeting."
Solitaire, Bliss, and Paint Also Make a Comeback
Another background shows an artistic rendition of Microsoft Solitaire, which turned 31 years old as of May 2021. Just about everyone who used Windows back in the day has played a game of Solitaire, and now, you can remember your favorite distraction while you're in a Microsoft Teams meeting.
Microsoft also revived the ubiquitous Bliss background. The original image was taken in 1996 at Los Carneros American Viticultural Area of California's Wine Country, and served as the default wallpaper on Windows XP.
But this time, Microsoft enhanced the image by softening the clouds, shifting the shadows, and sprinkling in some dandelions.
The last background that Microsoft unveiled features the original version of Microsoft Paint. It's a reminder of simple times—when raster graphic editors had only just a few tools.
Other Microsoft Teams Backgrounds to Check Out
You can download all the high-definition versions of these backgrounds from the Nostalgia section on Microsoft's website. And if none of these backgrounds appeal to you, you can also choose from various backgrounds featuring scenes from shows on FOX and NBC, as well as images celebrating Pride, Black History Month, and Women's History Month.