Microsofts

Microsoft Corporation, commonly known as Microsoft, is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Founded on April 4, 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen to develop and sell BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800, it grew into a leading software company focused on personal computers.

Its major products and services include the Windows operating system, the Microsoft 365 productivity suite, and the Azure cloud platform. The company also develops Surface hardware, the Xbox gaming ecosystem, and maintains online services such as LinkedIn and GitHub.

Under chief executive officer Satya Nadella since 2014, Microsoft has emphasized cloud computing and subscription software. Notable acquisitions include LinkedIn in 2016 for $26.2 billion, GitHub in 2018 for $7.5 billion, and Nuance Communications in 2021 for about $19.7 billion.

Microsoft reports three operating segments: Productivity and Business Processes; Intelligent Cloud; More Personal Computing. It is one of the world’s largest technology companies by revenue and market value, and has faced antitrust and privacy scrutiny at various times.

The company has influenced software ecosystems through extensive developer tools and a broad licensing model, and has increased engagement with open source projects, including GitHub and contributions to Linux and related platforms. Its products and services span enterprise IT, consumer devices, and digital services, shaping trends in software, cloud, and computing across industries.