WHEN you think of desktop wallpapers, you would probably assume they’re all digital creations.
However, Microsoft’s approach to Windows 10 was surprisingly hands-on, involving lasers and smoke.
Was the iconic Windows 10 background a real photograph?
Verdict:
TRUE
The iconic Windows 10 desktop background, known as “Hero,” is a real photograph (and it's not some lazy Photoshop class project either). Microsoft went on maximum overdrive to create this masterpiece.
To bring “Hero” to life, Microsoft teamed up with visual artist Bradley G. Munkowitz (aka GMUNK) to not only design the image digitally but to build an actual set.
Now picture this: lasers cutting through smoky air, sheets of acrylic catching light, and a dark studio where things look straight out of a sci-fi movie.
Using these tools, the team projected light through a custom-cut Windows logo, creating that glowing, ethereal effect we all see when we boot up Windows 10. (it’s giving Star Wars opening scene vibes - hands down)
In a behind-the-scenes video shared by Microsoft, you can see how they used volumetric lighting and carefully controlled angles to pull off such a sleek look.
GMUNK described the process as an intersection of art and technology, and honestly, it’s a bit wild to think that the image was handcrafted rather than computer-generated.
Sources like Yahoo Tech confirmed that this wasn’t just a casual design project - it was a meticulously planned production that involved real-world elements to keep the image grounded and strikingly authentic.
Additionally, Microsoft wanted to make something that felt fresh, modern, and just cool enough for you to stop and stare at your desktop (instead of hitting "Change Background" every so often).
So, the next time you see the Windows 10 “Hero” wallpaper, know that it’s not just a pretty picture, it's the result of a whole lot of lasers, smoke machines, and nerdy brilliance.
REFERENCES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nw-TgbXNj8
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40439515
