Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company with headquarters in Redmond, Washington. It develops, licenses, and sells a wide range of software products, devices, and services, and is best known for its Windows operating system, Microsoft Office suite, and Xbox gaming console.
History
- Founding: Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen on April 4, 1975, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company's first product was a version of the BASIC programming language for the Altair 8800 microcomputer.
- IBM Partnership: In 1980, Microsoft entered into an agreement with IBM to develop an operating system for their upcoming personal computer, which led to the creation of MS-DOS.
- Windows Era: Microsoft released the first version of Windows in 1985. This graphical user interface (GUI) operating system was a significant evolution from the command-line interface of MS-DOS. Over the years, Windows has become the dominant PC operating system.
- Internet and Expansion: During the 1990s, Microsoft launched Internet Explorer and expanded into various markets including gaming, hardware, and online services with products like MSN and Hotmail.
- Acquisitions and Growth: Microsoft has made several notable acquisitions to expand its portfolio, including LinkedIn (2016), GitHub (2018), and Minecraft through the acquisition of Mojang (2014).
Products and Services
- Operating Systems: Apart from Windows, Microsoft also produces Windows Server for enterprise use.
- Software Applications: The Office suite includes applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Cloud and AI: Azure is Microsoft's cloud computing platform, offering services like storage, analytics, and AI capabilities.
- Gaming: Xbox consoles and services like Xbox Live are significant in the gaming industry.
- Hardware: Microsoft also produces hardware like Surface tablets and laptops, HoloLens for augmented reality, and various peripherals.
- Search Engine: Bing is Microsoft's search engine, which has been integrated into various Microsoft services and has partnerships for search functionality.
Corporate Structure and Leadership
- Leadership: After Bill Gates stepped down as CEO in 2000, Steve Ballmer took over until 2014. Currently, Satya Nadella serves as CEO, focusing on cloud computing and AI development.
- Divisions: Microsoft is organized into several divisions including Productivity and Business Processes, Intelligent Cloud, and More Personal Computing.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Culture
- Environmental Efforts: Microsoft has committed to being carbon negative by 2030 and aims to remove from the environment all the carbon it has emitted since its founding by 2050.
- Workplace Culture: The company has been known for its campus culture, employee perks, and has made efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in its workforce.
Legal and Regulatory Issues
- Microsoft has faced numerous legal challenges, most notably the United States v. Microsoft Corp. antitrust case in the late 1990s, which accused Microsoft of illegally maintaining its monopoly in the PC operating system market.
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