# The Naked Baby Controversy in Windows 95 Hologram The story of the Windows 95 hologram changed due to a government complaint. - **Source:** [Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com) - **Published:** 2026-08-20 - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/605ee9b6-f31d-461a-8808-a1fe17b1a758 ## The Feature of Windows 95 Hologram The hologram on the side of the Windows 95 box was designed to prevent piracy. The photographer chose his own baby as a model, thinking that the human face is hard to copy. In the hologram, the baby sits next to a computer, and as you turn it, the arm rises and points to the monitor, revealing the Windows 95 logo. ## Complaint from a Government A government complained that the Windows 95 hologram depicted a naked child. The baby's upper body being naked led to the assumption that the lower body was also naked. This resulted in the hologram being changed. ## Preparation of the New Hologram Microsoft hastily prepared a new hologram. In the new hologram, the baby is wearing a shirt and overalls. However, due to time constraints, the arm animation could not be done. This change increased the collector's value of the original hologram. ## Value for Collectors Copies of Windows 95 with the original naked baby hologram became valuable for collectors. This hologram became a historical example of unexpected challenges Microsoft faced in its design processes. ## Other Controversies in Windows 95 Windows 95 was subject to various controversies beyond the hologram. For instance, some users claimed to find hidden messages in the clouds bitmap. Such claims highlight the psychological impact of the software on users. ## Similar Issues in Windows XP Windows XP's original wallpaper, Red Moon Desert, was likened to a pair of buttocks by some users. Additionally, a character in the User Accounts control panel was claimed to resemble Hitler. Such complaints led Microsoft to revisit its design processes. ## The State of Beta Testers These complaints raised questions about the mental state of beta testers. Microsoft began implementing a more careful testing process to avoid similar issues in future products. ## Design and Cultural Differences These controversies in Windows 95 and XP show how design is influenced by cultural differences. Microsoft had to consider such factors when delivering a global product. ## Sources covering this story - https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20030825-00/?p=42803 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._