A Brief History of Microsoft
microsoft is one of the world’s biggest software companies and an icon in personal computer history. It is best known for its word processing and spreadsheet programs, the Windows operating system, and its Xbox gaming consoles. It is also a major player in enterprise software, with its Azure cloud computing platform and SQL Server database software.
The company was founded in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. It grew rapidly, becoming one of the most profitable companies in America and gaining a reputation for innovation and technical excellence. Its rise triggered envy and jealousy among competitors and it faced legal challenges from antitrust regulators. Its practices, such as bundling some of its programs with the Microsoft operating system and requiring that computer manufacturers install its products, were criticized by opponents as near-monopoly tactics. But Microsoft and its defenders have countered that the company rewarded technical innovation and competition, not stifled them.
In the 1990s, Microsoft expanded beyond computer software to consumer electronics and information services. It launched the popular Windows-based personal computer, which outsold its rival Macintosh, as well as the graphical user interface that made it easier for people to work with computers. The company also expanded its productivity software offerings with the release of the widely used word processing and spreadsheet programs. Then in 1995, it entered the Internet era with the introduction of its Explorer web browser. It aggressively sought to persuade computer makers and Internet service providers to distribute the browser with their systems.
Microsoft also became a leader in electronic publishing and entertainment with its multimedia encyclopedia product, Encarta. And it launched its Xbox gaming consoles, which were able to outperform the graphics and power of its competitors’ gaming systems.
Today, Microsoft is headquartered in Redmond, Washington and has offices around the globe. It is the world’s largest vendor of computer software, a leading provider of cloud computing services, and a top producer of video games. Its hardware, software, and search and online services are used by millions of people daily.
Its two most significant shareholders are Bradford L. Smith and Jean-Philippe Courtois. Smith owns 0.01% of the total shares, while Courtois owns 0.65% of the company’s shares.
The company has a very diverse portfolio of products and is constantly evolving to adapt to technological changes and to enter new domains. For instance, in the field of mobile devices, it has released its Windows Phone operating system and Windows 10 mobile OS. The company has also ventured into the production of desktops and laptops, the Xbox gaming consoles, and security products like antivirus software and the Copilot AI-enabled chatbot. The company is currently headed by Satya Nadella, who replaced Steve Ballmer in 2014.
