Historical events timeline.
Bill Gates and Paul Allen found Microsoft to develop and sell BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800. #technology #business
Microsoft relocates from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Bellevue, Washington, to be closer to the growing tech hub. #business #history
Microsoft signs a contract with IBM to provide an operating system for the IBM PC, purchasing 86-DOS from Seattle Computer Products and renaming it MS-DOS. #technology #history
The IBM Personal Computer is released with MS-DOS as its operating system, establishing Microsoft's dominance in the PC market. #technology #computing
Bill Gates announces Microsoft Windows, a graphical extension for MS-DOS, at the Fall COMDEX trade show. #software #technology
Microsoft releases Windows 1.0, a graphical operating system shell for MS-DOS, marking the beginning of the Windows era. #windows #technology
Microsoft holds its initial public offering (IPO) at $21 per share, raising $61 million and making Bill Gates a billionaire. #finance #business
Microsoft releases Office for Mac, a productivity suite including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, expanding beyond PC. #software #productivity
Windows 3.0 launches to critical and commercial success, selling over 10 million copies and solidifying Microsoft's position. #windows #technology
Microsoft Office for Windows is released, bundling Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for the Windows platform. #software #productivity
Microsoft releases Windows NT 3.1, a 32-bit operating system aimed at business and enterprise users. #windows #enterprise
Internet Explorer 1.0 is included in Windows 95, beginning Microsoft's entry into the browser wars. #internet #software
Microsoft launches The Microsoft Network (MSN) as an online service and content portal. #internet #services
The U.S. Department of Justice files an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft for alleged monopolistic practices with Windows and Internet Explorer. #legal #business
Windows 98 ships with improved USB support and Internet Explorer integration, further consolidating Microsoft's OS dominance. #windows #technology
Bill Gates hands over CEO role to Steve Ballmer, remaining as chairman and chief software architect. #leadership #business
Microsoft releases Windows 2000, an enterprise-oriented operating system built on NT technology. #windows #enterprise
Windows XP launches with a redesigned interface and unified consumer and business OS lines, becoming one of the longest-used Windows versions. #windows #technology
Microsoft enters the console gaming market with the Xbox, competing with Sony's PlayStation 2. #gaming #technology )
Microsoft introduces the .NET Framework, a software development platform that supports multiple languages. #software #development
Microsoft releases Windows Server 2003, an enterprise server platform with enhanced security and management features. #servers #enterprise
Microsoft releases the Xbox 360, the second console in the Xbox series, featuring online gaming via Xbox Live. #gaming #technology
Windows Vista is finalized, with a new graphical interface and security features, but later criticized for performance issues. #windows #technology
Windows Vista becomes available to consumers globally, but faces compatibility and performance problems. #windows #technology
Microsoft makes a $44.6 billion unsolicited bid to acquire Yahoo! to compete with Google, but ultimately withdraws. #acquisition #business
Microsoft launches Bing, a new search engine to replace Live Search and compete with Google. #internet #search )
Windows 7 launches to critical acclaim, addressing Vista's shortcomings and becoming a best-selling OS. #windows #technology
Microsoft launches Azure, its cloud computing platform, to compete with Amazon Web Services. #cloud #technology
Microsoft acquires Skype Technologies for $8.5 billion, integrating the communication service into its products. #acquisition #communication
Microsoft releases Windows 8 with a touch-friendly Metro interface and launches the Surface tablet to compete with iPad. #windows #hardware
Microsoft acquires Nokia's mobile phone business for $7.2 billion to boost its Windows Phone ecosystem. #acquisition #mobile
Satya Nadella is appointed CEO, succeeding Steve Ballmer, and shifts Microsoft focus to cloud and open-source. #leadership #business
Windows 10 launches as a free upgrade for Windows 7/8 users, reintroducing the Start menu and universal apps. #windows #technology
Microsoft completes its $26.2 billion acquisition of LinkedIn, the professional social network. #acquisition #socialmedia
Microsoft acquires GitHub, the world's leading software development platform, for $7.5 billion. #acquisition #developers
Microsoft releases the next-generation Xbox Series X and Series S consoles. #gaming #technology
Windows 11 launches with a redesigned interface, centered Start menu, and improved performance. #windows #technology
Microsoft announces its intent to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, the largest gaming acquisition in history. #acquisition #gaming
Microsoft closes the Activision Blizzard acquisition after regulatory approvals, bolstering its Game Pass offerings. #acquisition #gaming