In 1977 Bill Gates was arrested and Microsoft secretly used a photo of him in Windows

Bill Gates was actually arrested in 1977. (Image source: Genbeta)

Bill Gates is one of the richest people in the world. At times he even climbed the throne of the richest person ever. With his wealth, the Microsoft co-founder finances start-ups for medicine and green energy, among other things. But that doesn’t make him a saint.

Speaking of holy: An arrest for driving without a license in 1977 proves that Bill Gates is by no means a child of sadness. The photo of the young entrepreneurial genius with a blond curly head, Jeffrey Dahmer glasses and an incarceration number around his neck is now world famous – maybe familiar you it yes.

But what you probably didn’t know: Microsoft used the photo in Windows without our knowledge (via Genbeta.com):

(Image source: Genbeta/Twitter)

Prisoner Photo as part of Windows and Outlook

To be precise, a silhouette of the prisoner’s photo was used in Microsoft Windows 8 for a generic user account. More specifically, these were Windows 8 builds 8161 through 8176 from late 2011 and early 2012.

But that’s not all: As early as 2010, the silhouette of the young Bill Gates behind bars was featured in what was then Outlook 2010. Who on the Social Connector clicked to view his contacts, inevitably pressed the billionaire’s silhouetted likeness.

Small side swipe or full intention?

Microsoft’s action is probably to be understood as a kind of tongue-in-cheek look at Bill Gates’ past. However, it is unclear whether the former Microsoft boss might be behind the action himself to make fun of his misdeed.

How do you like that? Did you already know that, or is it completely new to you? Do you know any other Easter Eggs for Windows? Write it to us in the comments!