Microsoft says experimentation is becoming part of everyday work, while the future of its Global Hackathon and Garage locations remains unclear. Microsoft is shutting down The Garage, its popular maker spaces, where employees engaged in experimental projects and collaborated during annual hackathon events. Microsoft is winding down The Garage, the 17-year-old program behind its Global Hackathon and employee maker spaces, according to an internal FAQ. Some Garage spaces could be restricted to.