What is Microsoft?

Microsoft is one of the largest technology companies in the world and has had a major impact on the way people work and communicate. Its flagship software products include the Windows line of operating systems, the Office productivity suite, the Xbox video game console and the Azure cloud computing platform. It also has an extensive range of hardware products that includes laptops, tablet computers and smartphones. Under the leadership of CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft is continuing to innovate and expand its product offerings into new areas including cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

Microsoft became a force to be reckoned with in the computer industry during the 1980s and 1990s as it gained market dominance with its IBM PC compatible operating systems such as MS-DOS and Windows. Its expansion into the digital realm saw the launch of its Bing search engine, MSN Internet portal and the Windows Phone mobile operating system. The company diversified further in the twenty-first century with the launch of its Surface lineup of touchscreen personal computers and the Xbox video game console.

Despite its success, Microsoft faced criticism that it was stifling competition and technical innovation through its monopolistic practices. The company responded with a series of settlements with the U.S. Justice Department that saw the company change its sales methods to avoid monopolistic behavior. The company has also been a leading investor in the field of artificial intelligence and has been working to develop its own cloud computing offerings.

The company is headquartered in Redmond, Washington and employs approximately 130,000 people worldwide. It is split into three divisions: Productivity and Business Processes, Intelligent Cloud and More Personal Computing. Each division consists of several products and services.

Productivity and Business Processes focuses on enabling customers to get more done by delivering the best experiences in the most important apps and devices they use. This includes Office 365 commercial subscriptions, SharePoint and the Office mobile apps. It also includes the Azure cloud service and the business-oriented social network LinkedIn.

Intelligent Cloud aims to transform the way organizations manage and secure data and applications in the cloud. This includes the Microsoft Azure cloud computing platform and the Edge web browser. It also encompasses the company’s business-oriented storage solutions OneDrive and Sharepoint as well as its artificial intelligence (AI) efforts with Azure Machine Learning, Cortana and Project Natal.

More Personal Computing focuses on building devices and software that empower people to achieve more in their lives. This includes Surface laptops, tablets and smartphones as well as the Windows operating system and the apps and features that run on them. It also includes the online Microsoft store and the gaming platforms Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.

Microsoft is committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace. It has established a variety of programs and initiatives to encourage women, minorities and individuals with disabilities to pursue careers at the company. It is also taking steps to be carbon negative by 2030 by removing more CO2 from the atmosphere than it emits.

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