What is Microsoft?

Microsoft is one of the world’s largest computer technology companies. Its core business is the development and sale of software and hardware. It is based in Redmond, Washington. It is known for its Windows operating system. It is also active in the video game industry. It produces a range of other products and services.

Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975. They met while attending Harvard University. They teamed up to create a BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800 microcomputer. In the early 1980s, Microsoft developed MS-DOS, which became the dominant operating system for personal computers. The company sold more than 100 million copies of MS-DOS.

In 1990, Bill Gates showed Microsoft’s future by introducing Windows 3.0. Despite fierce competition from CP/M, Windows 3.0 made Microsoft the market leader in PC operating systems. It also improved the reliability and security of its software. It surpassed IBM’s OS/2 in market share.

Microsoft was the first company to produce a billion-dollar-a-year software revenue. The company has created a global presence in many markets, including consumer electronics, digital services, and cloud computing. It produces a variety of software, including Internet Explorer, the most popular web browser. It also produces software for business use, including Microsoft Office.

The company has been criticized for various aspects of its products and business practices. It has been accused of forcing employees to work overtime and not providing medical benefits to workers. It has also been criticised for using monopolistic business practices. It has also been criticized for security vulnerabilities in its software.

Microsoft’s operating systems are used on a wide range of devices, including desktop and laptop computers, tablets, and mobile phones. The company also produces software for corporate servers, as well as computer peripherals. Among its most popular applications are the Microsoft Office suite, which includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also provides email, calendar, and contact management tools. Its other products include Xbox and Skype.

Microsoft is involved in several areas of software development, including cloud computing, virtual reality, and video games. It has offices in more than 60 countries. Its main research and development center is in Redmond, Washington. It operates research labs in Beijing, Bengaluru, New York, and Montreal. It has also acquired Mojang, a Swedish developer of video game software, and Skype Technologies, an Israeli company that develops Internet telephony software.

Microsoft is a leading provider of cloud computing services. Its Azure platform allows service providers to build computing infrastructure in the “cloud” and offers a variety of cloud computing services. It has developed a wide range of hardware products, including the Surface tablet computers and the Xbox gaming console. It has also produced a number of mixed reality products, including HoloLens and Windows Mixed Reality.

Microsoft is the largest supplier of computer software in the world. Its products include the Xbox, Internet Explorer, and the Windows line of operating systems. It has been criticized for security vulnerabilities in its software and its business practices.