Microsoft's message on completing 50 years: Key things to know about the company

Microsoft is now 50 years old. Founded on April 4, 1975, by Bill Gates and Paul Allen as Micro-Soft, the company emerged from a desire to revolutionise personal computing. Their initial focus on software for the Altair 8800 quickly evolved, leading to a partnership with IBM in 1980. This collaboration birthed MS-DOS, the operating system that would define the PC era of the 1980s and pave the way for Microsoft's enduring influence.

“50 years of Microsoft. 🎉 As we approach the next 50, we look forward to new innovations, challenges, and possibilities. The future is built by those who dare to dream and create. Here's to the makers! #Microsoft50” the company said in a post on X.

50 years of Microsoft. 🎉 As we approach the next 50, we look forward to new innovations, challenges, and possibilities. The future is built by those who dare to dream and create. Here's to the makers! #Microsoft50 pic.twitter.com/PVw3i2nJRN

— Microsoft (@Microsoft) April 4, 2025

Here are some key events in the history of Microsoft
MS-DOS and Windows: Microsoft was founded 50 years ago as Micro-Soft as it focused on microprocessors and software.

Early Windows GUI on MS-DOS evolved into a more capable OS with Windows 95, which was highly anticipated, with fans lining up to purchase it. Windows 95 introduced key features still used today: desktop, File Explorer, My Documents, Recycle Bin.

Office Suite development: Microsoft developed productivity apps in the 1980s, which became the Office suite. It was launched in 1989 for Mac and became a major productivity suite on Windows. Notably, both Windows and Office's success has made Microsoft a valuable tech company (via The Verge).

Microsoft’s expansion into gaming and cloud computing: Microsoft's success with Windows and Office enabled expansion into various areas. These included Xbox game console (2001), Azure cloud platform (2008) and Bing search engine (2009). Soon, Microsoft experimented with hardware and its Surface lineup became a successful endevour, launching in 2012 with Windows 8.

Microsoft’s AI Transformation: Microsoft is increasingly focused on an AI transformation. This has the potential to overhaul Windows, Office, Azure, and other Microsoft businesses.