Microsoft is giving its Office suite a fresh coat of paint, unveiling a new set of icons for its ten core apps.

It’s the first significant redesign since 2018, and the new look will begin appearing across web, desktop and mobile versions of Microsoft 365 in the coming weeks.

The icons adopt Microsoft’s Fluent design language, moving away from sharp, blocky geometry in favour of softer curves, richer gradients and a more approachable aesthetic.

The design team says the goal is to create a system that feels consistent across platforms, while also improving clarity and accessibility at smaller sizes.

Microsoft’s new icons

Jon Friedman, corporate vice president of design and research for Microsoft 365, described the shift as embracing “fluid forms, vibrant colours, and playful motion,” reflecting how Copilot and AI are reshaping the company’s product identity.

One noticeable change is the appearance of the Word icon. It now uses three horizontal bars instead of four to improve legibility.
The rollout follows internal user testing and surveys in which Microsoft sought feedback on potential design directions.

While the update doesn’t affect functionality, it underscores Microsoft’s push to modernise its branding as rivals like Notion and Slack promote friendlier, more dynamic interfaces.

For users, the impact will be purely visual – a new set of icons designed to signal continuity with the past, while aligning Office with the Copilot era.