Windows 8 was Microsoft's operating system released in 2012, and its clean electronic notification and alarm tones became familiar to millions of desktop and laptop users. Short clips from those system sounds were later shared on soundboards and in video edits, where creators used them as instant alerts, timers and retro computer gags. The sound has stayed useful because it is instantly recognisable, very short and free of speech, so it works in any language and fits easily into memes, pranks, gaming clips and notification jokes.