6 Questions
When was Microsoft founded?
April 4, 1975
What was Microsoft's first product?
A version of the programming language BASIC for the Altair 8800 microcomputer
What is the name of Microsoft's cloud computing platform?
Microsoft Azure
When was the Xbox released?
2001
What company did Microsoft acquire in 2016?
When did Microsoft reach a market capitalization of $1 trillion?
2019
Study Notes
History of Microsoft
- Founded on April 4, 1975, by Bill Gates and Paul Allen
- Originally named "Micro-Soft," a combination of "microcomputer" and "software"
- First product was a version of the programming language BASIC for the Altair 8800 microcomputer
Products and Services
- Operating Systems:
- MS-DOS (1981)
- Windows (1985)
- Windows NT (1993)
- Productivity Software:
- Microsoft Office (1989)
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Gaming:
- Xbox (2001)
- Xbox 360 (2005)
- Xbox One (2013)
- Xbox Series X and Series S (2020)
- Cloud Computing:
- Microsoft Azure (2010)
- Microsoft Dynamics (2003)
- Other:
- Microsoft Visual Studio (1995)
- Microsoft SQL Server (1989)
Acquisitions and Partnerships
- Acquisitions:
- LinkedIn (2016)
- Skype (2011)
- Nokia Devices & Services (2014)
- Partnerships:
- Microsoft-Nokia partnership (2011)
- Microsoft-Samsung partnership (2015)
Milestones and Achievements
- Became the largest software company in the world (1990s)
- Reached a market capitalization of $1 trillion (2019)
- Ranked as one of the most valuable companies in the world
Founding and Early History
- Founded on April 4, 1975, by Bill Gates and Paul Allen
- Originally named "Micro-Soft," a combination of "microcomputer" and "software"
- First product was a version of the programming language BASIC for the Altair 8800 microcomputer
Operating Systems
- MS-DOS released in 1981
- Windows released in 1985
- Windows NT released in 1993
Productivity Software
- Microsoft Office released in 1989
- Includes Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint
Gaming
- Xbox released in 2001
- Xbox 360 released in 2005
- Xbox One released in 2013
- Xbox Series X and Series S released in 2020
Cloud Computing
- Microsoft Azure released in 2010
- Microsoft Dynamics released in 2003
Other Products
- Microsoft Visual Studio released in 1995
- Microsoft SQL Server released in 1989
Acquisitions and Partnerships
- Acquired LinkedIn in 2016
- Acquired Skype in 2011
- Acquired Nokia Devices & Services in 2014
- Formed Microsoft-Nokia partnership in 2011
- Formed Microsoft-Samsung partnership in 2015
Milestones and Achievements
- Became the largest software company in the world in the 1990s
- Reached a market capitalization of $1 trillion in 2019
- Ranked as one of the most valuable companies in the world
Learn about the history of Microsoft, founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, and its notable products and services, including operating systems, productivity software, and gaming consoles.
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