- Microsoft celebrates 50 years since its founding in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
- The company has led the technological evolution with products such as Windows,Office, Xbox and Azure, dominating key sectors such as OS, video games and cloud computing.
- He has bet heavily on the Artificial Intelligence, especially through its alliance with OpenAI and the development of tools such as Copilot.
- Microsoft is commemorating the anniversary with free content such as Xbox backgrounds and themes, while also maintaining its commitment to social responsibility and global innovation.
Microsoft technology company commemorates half a century since its founding this April 4th., a period in which it has grown from a small startup with software ambitions to becoming one of the largest companies on the planet, with a global presence spanning everything from operating systems to advanced artificial intelligence.
What began in a garage in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1975 As a project driven by two young people passionate about computing—Bill Gates and Paul Allen—it has resulted in a company with more than 250.000 employees, a market capitalization close to three trillion dollars and products that have marked generations.
From MS-DOS to Windows: The Beginning of a Revolution
Microsoft's first major success came in the 80s with IBM., by developing the MS-DOS operating system, which became the standard for personal computers. This partnership not only catapulted the company to success, but also laid the foundation for its dominance in the software industry.
The arrival of Windows in 1985 marked a new chapterAlthough its first version received a lukewarm reception, the system evolved to reach a level of popularity with Windows 95 that changed the way millions of people interacted with technology. The Start menu, the taskbar, and a more visual interface defined an era in home and business computing.
This success was consolidated with products like Microsoft Office and with the expansion of the Windows ecosystem Over the following decades, the company's office software became an almost indispensable tool in work, educational, and personal environments.
An expansion that went beyond software
During the 2000s, Microsoft began to look beyond traditional softwareIn 2001, it entered the entertainment sector with the launch of the Xbox, a console that required a significant investment but ultimately established the brand as a significant player in the world of video games.
Also in this period appeared products such as the Surface line, with which the company unified hardware and operating system on devices portable With a distinctive design, Surface allowed Microsoft to position itself in a more premium segment of the computer market, competing directly with brands like Apple.
However, not everything was a success. The attempt to compete in the mobile market with Windows Phone failed, despite the acquisition of Nokia. Neither did the Zune player or some versions of its early touchscreen devices. Even so, The company was able to correct course and focus on new opportunities.
A shift towards the cloud and artificial intelligence
With the arrival of Satya Nadella as CEO in 2014, Microsoft reoriented its strategy towards the cloud and artificial intelligence.Azure, its cloud services platform, has grown to become the second largest in the world, behind only Amazon Web Services.
In parallel, Office 365 became Microsoft 365, with a subscription model that allows you to access its tools from any device and location. This vision of flexible, cloud-based work has been reinforced with the integration of functionalities of IA in products such as Word or Excel.
One of the most notable recent milestones has been the partnership with OpenAI, launched in 2019 and strengthened in 2023 with a multi-billion dollar investment. Thanks to this collaboration, Microsoft has developed tools such as Bing Chat, GitHub Copilot, Windows Copilot or Microsoft 365 Copilot, integrating intelligent assistants into everyday and professional environments.
The company is also exploring other applications of AI, from tools for the healthcare sector to solutions for education and business. The models developed and hosted on their Azure supercomputers open the door to new ways of interacting with technology..
Recognitions and celebrations for its five decades
To mark this anniversary, Microsoft has launched a series of free commemorative content on its platforms. Xbox and PC users can access profile themes, dynamic backgrounds, special badges, and a retro version of the classic Solitaire., all of them inspired by the company's historical milestones.
Furthermore, The company has announced grants for 50 social organizations in Puget Sound, as part of its commitment to the communities where it operates. This action reinforces its focus on corporate responsibility and social impact.
From Spain to the United States, Microsoft has increased its investment in infrastructure and data centers, especially those focused on artificial intelligence, reinforcing public and private services with advanced technological solutions and with special emphasis on ciberseguridad.
Microsoft is currently the second largest company on the stock market, behind only Apple. Its market value has experienced a continued growth, despite occasional declines, and analysts' forecasts point to a bullish future driven by artificial intelligence.
From Altair BASIC to Copilot, Microsoft has contributed to the digital development of the modern world. It has democratized technology, influenced work and study culture, and continues to explore new ways of integrate information, data and digital tools in daily life.
Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.