Further into my search of now-obscure Microsoft things, I found out quite a bit about Microsoft's annual MGX (Microsoft Global Exchange, 1992-2011, https://www.competegy.com/post/mgx-microsoft-global-exchange) events. MGX was a private Microsoft business event that often showed previews of upcoming company design changes and software (and sometimes silly skits).

Among some interesting things revealed at past events include various revealed logo and slogan changes. At MGX 2010, a lot was revealed that would resemble a bit more of a flat Metro style (all the way back in mid-2010!) along with the planned slogan "Be What's Next". Of course, we ended up getting pretty different icons and logos compared to those shown and didn't even get the slogan, but it's interesting to look back on what could've been.