Generic top-level domainsDNSSEC
Overview
.windows is a brand gTLD applied for and operated by Microsoft to represent the Windows family of products. The applicant's response notes that Microsoft first released the Windows operating system in 1985 and references Windows 7 as the most recent release at the time of the application. The registry's stated mission is to provide a more secure and authentic experience, protect the Windows brand, and promote the Windows operating system.
History
- Applied for under ICANN's New gTLD Program (Reveal Day: 13 June 2012).
- The .windows string was delegated to the DNS Root Zone on 10 June 2015.
- Microsoft is the manager/operator of the TLD; the registry backend is listed as Verisign.
Usage and Audience
- Intended registrants: Microsoft Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries.
- Target audiences include consumers and businesses that interact with Microsoft and the Windows platform.
- Stated purposes include delivering secure communications, products and services, protecting the Windows brand, and promoting the Windows operating system.
Registration Rules
- Registration is restricted: all .windows domain names will be registered to Microsoft Corporation or one of its wholly owned subsidiaries.
SEO and Brand Impact
- As a branded gTLD operated by Microsoft, .windows is positioned primarily for brand protection and to signal authenticity and security for Microsoft-controlled resources.
- The registry's stated goals emphasize protecting the famous Windows brand and providing a secure, authentic experience for users.
Operator
Whois
% IANA WHOIS server % for more information on IANA, visit http://www.iana.org % This query returned 1 object domain: WINDOWS organisation: Microsoft Corporation address: One Microsoft Way address: Redmond WA 98052 address: United States of America (the) contact: administrative name: Program Manager organisation: Microsoft Corporation address: One Microsoft Way address: Redmond WA 98052 address: United States of America (the) phone: +1 425-706-3546 fax-no: +1 425-457-2511 e-mail: registry@microsoft.com contact: technical name: TLD Registry Services Technical organisation: Nominet address: Minerva House, Edmund Halley Road, Oxford Science Park address: Oxford OX4 4DQ address: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the) phone: +44 1865 332211 e-mail: registrytechnical@nominet.uk nserver: DNS1.NIC.WINDOWS 213.248.219.133 2a01:618:403:0:0:0:0:133 nserver: DNS2.NIC.WINDOWS 103.49.83.133 2401:fd80:403:0:0:0:0:133 nserver: DNS3.NIC.WINDOWS 213.248.223.133 2a01:618:407:0:0:0:0:133 nserver: DNS4.NIC.WINDOWS 2401:fd80:407:0:0:0:0:133 43.230.51.133 nserver: DNSA.NIC.WINDOWS 156.154.100.3 2001:502:ad09:0:0:0:0:3 nserver: DNSB.NIC.WINDOWS 156.154.101.3 2001:502:2eda:0:0:0:0:3 nserver: DNSC.NIC.WINDOWS 156.154.102.3 2610:a1:1009:0:0:0:0:3 nserver: DNSD.NIC.WINDOWS 156.154.103.3 2610:a1:1010:0:0:0:0:3 ds-rdata: 44526 8 2 f6dda2f2e3e99e70c47f0393f0154d1641435abdf20e5e5c0a8416c0da34a922 ds-rdata: 31600 8 2 8057adbdc309cac9cdb987f477b7217b15c88d0a7f84e3b9ba5af412d24b60c9 whois: status: ACTIVE remarks: Registration information: http://www.microsoft.com created: 2015-04-30 changed: 2025-05-01 source: IANA