https://patentbrief.org/company/microsoft-corp Plain-English explanations of patents assigned to Microsoft Corp, newest first. en-us Sun, 12 Jul 2026 13:15:44 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7836050/bing-search-ranking A system that improves image search results by combining how well an image matches a search term with how highly users have rated that image elsewhere. Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7836050/bing-search-ranking https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7685160/ntfs-file-system A system that uses the browsing history and work habits of your colleagues to automatically build a personalized dashboard of links and content you are likely to need next. Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7685160/ntfs-file-system https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7530029/xbox-360-achievements-system A method for automatically shrinking a navigation sidebar into a slim icon-based strip while maintaining access to full features through a temporary pop-up menu. Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7530029/xbox-360-achievements-system https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/6990497/dynamic-streaming-media-management This patent describes a system that takes media playlists in various formats, converts them into a single standard format, and then streams the referenced content, even allowing for dynamic changes during playback. Tue, 24 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/6990497/dynamic-streaming-media-management https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/6901559/microsoft-office-ribbon-ui A 2000-era Microsoft patent for showing a 'Recent' category on handheld devices, allowing users to interact with recent items exactly like they would with any other file. Tue, 31 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/6901559/microsoft-office-ribbon-ui https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/6122658/custom-localized-information-in-a-networked-server-for-display-to-an-end-user A 1997 Microsoft patent describing how a server can mix general content with specific local details to create a personalized experience for users based on their location or demographics. Tue, 19 Sep 2000 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/6122658/custom-localized-information-in-a-networked-server-for-display-to-an-end-user https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5920316/windows-explorer-tree-view Microsoft's 1999 patent defines the mechanics of the Windows taskbar, allowing users to track open programs and manage window layouts through a persistent interface element. Tue, 06 Jul 1999 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5920316/windows-explorer-tree-view https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5579517/windows-95-start-menu A clever method for storing long filenames in older file systems by hiding them in extra directory entries that older programs simply ignore. Tue, 26 Nov 1996 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5579517/windows-95-start-menu