A brief history of microsoft the worlds biggest software company. Gates and paul allen found microsoft, a company that makes computer software. Microsoft is an american multinational computer technology corporation whose history started 4th april 1975. Thus, microsoft was started on april 4, 1975 in albuquerque, new mexicothe home of mitswith gates as the first ceo. The company went on to license its msdos operating system to ibm for its. Microsoft was founded on april 4, 1975, by bill gates and paul allen in albuquerque, new mexico. Microsoft is a multinational computer technology corporation. The company also publishes books through microsoft press and video games through microsoft studios, and produces its own line of hardware. Find articles, videos, training, tutorials, and more. It is best known for its windows operating system, the microsoft office family of productivity software plus services, and the visual studio ide. Specifically, their company sold an interpreter for the popular basic programming. The companys core business is based on developing, manufacturing, and licensing software products, including operating systems, server applications, business.
Microsoft corporation is an american multinational technology company that develops and sells a wide range of consumer and enterprise software. The history of microsoft 1990 the history of microsoft. Microsoft introduced windows as a graphical user interface for msdos, which had been introduced a couple of years earlier. Microsoft corporation company profile, information, business. The history of microsoft 1996 the history of microsoft. Adding up the stories that make microsoft, by the numbers is an interactive look at what drives us, from quantum computing to environmental sustainability. Thompson became the second chairman in microsofts history. A company overview of microsoft including information for shareholders, potential investors, financial analysts, and more. Microsofts stockholders seem to be willing to give nadella some time to enact his vision, which could preserve the single microsoft thats been around since.
Though microsoft made its billions on software, the company wasnt. This deal inspired gates and allen to found their own software company, and in april of 1975, microsoft was born. We believe technology is a powerful force for good and are working to foster a sustainable future where everyone has access to the benefits and. Its current bestselling products are the microsoft windows operating system. In the 1990s, the product line evolved from an operating environment into a fully complete, modern operating system over two lines of development, each with their own separate codebase. It rose to dominate the personal computer operating system market with msdos in the mid1980s, followed by microsoft windows. Microsoft corporation is an american multinational technology company with headquarters in redmond, washington. On april 25, 2014, microsoft acquired nokia devices and. The deal inspired gates and allen to form their own software company. On this day in 1975, at a time when most americans use typewriters, childhood friends bill gates and paul allen found microsoft, a company that makes computer software.
List of mergers and acquisitions by microsoft wikipedia. In july of that year, the microsoft corporation, in its first significant software acquisition, purchased the rights to. Microsoft corporation is a leading developer of pc software. Microsoft corporation, leading developer of personalcomputer software systems and applications. Microsoft was founded by bill gates and paul allen on april 4, 1975, to develop and sell basic interpreters for the altair 8800. Microsoft corporation is an american technology company. Sun microsystemss java programming language is licensed to every major hardware and software company. July 11, 20, microsoft one reorganization realigns company to enable. The company also publishes books and multimedia titles. Originally based in albuquerque, new mexico, microsoft relocated to washington state in 1979 and eventually grew into a major multinational technology corporation. Microsoft is here to help you with products including office, windows, surface, and more. It develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells computer software.
The program, initially named presenter, was released for the apple macintosh in 1987. Windows continued to evolve, and in 1988, helped make microsoft the worlds largest pc software company based on sales. Microsoft, though, has a storied history which stretches all the way back to 1975. Microsoft office, a suite of productivity software. The company purchased more than ten companies a year between 2005 and 2008, and it acquired 18 firms in 2006, the most in a single year, including onfolio, lionhead studios, massive incorporated, proclarity, winternals software, and colloquis. Xbox, a line of entertainment of games, music, and video. Since microsofts first acquisition in 1987, it has purchased an average of six companies a. Get help with choosing a microsoft product, or ask about a previous purchase from the online or physical store. The history of microsoft 1989 1990 revenueheadcount. In 1980, microsoft formed a partnership with ibm to bundle microsofts op.
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