Microsoft BOB

Microsoft Bob was a 1995 Microsoft software product, intended to provide a more user-friendly interface for the Windows 3.1x, Windows 95 and Windows NT operating systems, supplanting the Windows Program Manager. Microsoft Bob presented screens showing a "house", with "rooms" that the user could go to containing familiar objects corresponding to computer applications – for instance, a desk with pen and paper, a checkbook, and other items. Clicking on the pen and paper would open the word processor, and so forth. A cartoon dog named Rover and other cartoon characters provided guidance using speech balloons.

Microsoft Bob was much criticized in the press, did not gain wide acceptance with consumers, and was not a successful or long-lived product.