Microsoft is winding down The Garage program as a centralized function, ending a 17-year history of the maker spaces. The primary hub for the initiative was situated at the company's campus in Redmond, Washington.
This central location supported approximately 15 other Garage sites across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Some of these physical spaces are scheduled to close as early as 23 October 2026.
The program produced notable outputs, including the Seeing AI app which launched 10 years ago following a 2015 hackathon. Earlier this year, the firm also shut down its employee library.
Xbox is simultaneously increasing its return to office mandate to four days a week for most staff. Jacinda Chislum Pearson stated, "Starting February 1st, 2027, Xbox employees in Puget Sound who live within 50 commuting miles of Studio D are required to work from the office a minimum of four days a week."
