Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing

Windows 11 may get the 3D emojis we were promised

Arif Bacchus
By

Microsoft shipped new emojis in Windows 11 last year, but they caused quite some controversy as the emojis weren’t actually 3D as the company first teased. There was never an explanation for that change in design, but it is now looking as though the originally promised 3D emoji could still be in the works.

Though Microsoft itself hasn’t recently said anything about 3D emoji on its official channels, one of its employees sent indications about it. In a response to a tweet from a Windows 11 user lamenting the lack of 3D emoji, Nando Costa, who is the visual artist and design leader at Microsoft Design, said: “Thank you and agreed! We’re working on that.”

Windows 11's redesigned emoji on an orange background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This goes back to what happened in November 2021. At that time, Microsoft admitted to Windows Central that it lacked clarity about where 3D emojis would show up. The company indicated that 3D emoji will only show up in apps that support them, such as Microsoft Teams or Skype. It’s more than likely that Costa’s tweet is referring to this, as rolling out 3D emoji to all of Windows and all of its platforms might be quite the task for the company, according to The Verge.

Recommended Videos

Either way, it’s the first time in a while that a Microsoft employee has spoken about the topic. Another Microsoft employee, Brandon LeBlanc, who is a product manager on the Windows Insider Program, also commented on this issue, pointing to the Microsoft Design Blog for more details.

Related

Microsoft put a lot of thought into its emoji redesign, even if the emoji are just 2D. In a LinkedIn post, Costa talks about the long journey of upgrading Windows’ emoji. Costa says the emoji are more personal and familiar. He also revealed that Microsoft used tools like Adobe Illustrator and Font Lab in the design process

There still might not be a solid date for when you can expect 3D emoji in Windows 11, but Costa did indicate on LinkedIn that the team will “continue creating new designs every year.” We’ll let you be the judge on what that means, but for now, 2D emoji and Clippy might have to do.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Arif Bacchus
Arif Bacchus
Computing Writer
Arif Bacchus is a native New Yorker and a fan of all things technology. Arif works as a freelance writer at Digital Trends…
The best Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 top down view showing keyboard and touchpad.

Keyboard shortcuts are a great way to save time, whether you're working or relaxing. While we've already covered some of our favorite Windows 10 shortcuts, there are also a few you should try out in Windows 11. Here's a look at some of our favorite shortcuts and how you can use them to your advantage.
New Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts

Windows 11 brings a new set of keyboard shortcuts that aren't available in Windows 10. These shortcuts are catered to some of the new features in the operating system, like the Widgets Pane, Quick Settings, Notification Center, Snap Layouts, and Windows Copilot. Many of these shortcuts will require you to use the Windows Key (⊞), which you can find to the left of the spacebar.

Read more
Windows 12 could repeat Windows 11’s big mistake
surface laptop studio 2 review 07

The first details about Windows 12 are starting to take shape, and the rumored OS could repeat the biggest mistake of Windows 11. As we've heard previously, the new OS will likely have a big focus on AI features. Now, we're hearing that many of those features will require a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), as reported by Windows Central.

It's hard to forget the fumble Microsoft made with Windows 11 and its requirement of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM). This security chip isn't included, at least in hardware, on the majority of off-the-shelf PC components, leading many to believe their PC wasn't compatible with Windows 11 when it really was.

Read more
This new Windows 11 shortcut made using my PC so much easier
The Digital Trends website on the KTC G42P5.

Microsoft is constantly adding new features to Windows 11, and it's easy for small quality-of-life updates to get buried under Bing Chat integrations and Windows Copilot. I discovered one such feature in the Windows 11 23H2 update a couple of weeks ago, and it's a simple shortcut: Ctrl + Win + V. 

Using this keyboard combination will pull up the new-and-improved volume mixer is Windows 11's latest feature update. It's been a massive time save for me, and if you use your PC in a similar way to how I use mine, it'll likely save a lot of time for you, too.

Read more