This year's ugly Windows sweater is here and it's one of the best in a long line of gloriously ugly jumpers

pcgamer.com:

In case you hadn't noticed, the holiday run-up has officially begun, and it's the time of year when every company begins its relentless assault on your newsfeed and email inboxes with as much whimsy and good cheer as it can muster. While for many this is something of an unwelcome barrage of forced bon-homie, there is the occasional bit of holiday marketing that elicits a genuine smile. 

As far as that goes, we've always been partial to the holiday tradition of the Windows ugly sweater, and the good news is the 2023 version has just dropped and by ugly sweater standards it's virtually tasteful. 

Look at it. The majesty. The nostalgia. The wave of good will and sentiment that washes over you as you remember a simpler time, when taskbars were blue, Windows had a sensible naming scheme, and default desktop wallpapers were the thing that gave you an overwhelming sense of calm. Windows XP was here. Everything was going to be ok.

Just me then? Anyway, as far as the «ugly» factor goes on the seasonal Windows Ugly Sweater, this thing is more of a work of art. Bliss has become iconic over the years, and this sweater is less likely to elicit the correct reaction of horror and instead create a feeling of genuine rose-tinted nostalgia towards desktops past. 

This being the case, let us remind ourselves of some of the more egregious examples of Windows ugly sweaters of yore, so that we may revel in their glory once again.

Things started off simply enough in 2018, with an almost tasteful (who am I kidding) Windows 95 logo and fetching diamond shapes. An establishment of the form as you will, and the basis for all Windows ugly sweaters to come. 

Now that's more like it. Stare in awe and wonder at the eye-searing vision of Windows XP in