Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational corporation and technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Its best-known software products are the Windows line of operating systems, the Microsoft 365 suite of productivity applications, the Azure cloud computing platform and the Edge web browser. Its flagship hardware products are the Xbox video game consoles and the Microsoft Surface lineup of touchscreen personal computers. Microsoft ranked No. 14 in the 2022 Fortune 500 rankings of the largest United States corporations by total revenue; and it was the world's largest software maker by revenue in 2022 according to Forbes Global 2000. It is considered one of the Big Five American information technology companies, alongside Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, and Meta.
microsoft

Some of the key events about Microsoft

  • 1975
    Founded as a software company to develop and sell BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800
  • 1975
    Accused of unfair licensing practices for BASIC interpreter
  • 1981
    Released MS-DOS, which became the standard operating system for personal computers
  • 1985
    Launched the first version of Microsoft Windows, a graphical user interface for MS-DOS
  • 1989
    Introduced Microsoft Office, a suite of productivity applications
  • 1995
    Released Windows 95, a major upgrade that integrated MS-DOS with Windows
  • 1998
    Sued by US Department of Justice for monopolistic practices
  • 2001
    Entered the gaming console market with the Xbox
  • 2001
    Criticized for security vulnerabilities in Windows XP
  • 2003
    Launched Windows Server 2003, enhancing its presence in enterprise computing
  • 2004
    Fined €497 million by European Commission for anti-competitive behavior
  • 2006
    Delayed release of Windows Vista, disappointing customers and partners
  • 2007
    Faced antitrust complaints over Office Open XML standardization
  • 2009
    Fined €561 million by European Commission for failing to offer browser choices
  • 2010
    Released Windows Phone 7, marking its entry into the smartphone operating system market
  • 2011
    Accused of avoiding UK taxes through offshore arrangements
  • 2013
    Criticized for collaboration with NSA on user data access
  • 2014
    Acquired Mojang, the company behind the popular game Minecraft
  • 2016
    Completed the acquisition of LinkedIn, expanding into professional networking services
  • 2016
    Sued for $10 billion over alleged forced Windows 10 upgrades

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.

Microsoft Latest news

Trump picks new FTC boss: What's next for big tech and online speech?

Trump picks new FTC boss: What's next for big tech and online speech?

Trump names **Andrew Ferguson** as future FTC leader‚ bringing fresh view on tech oversight and online speech issues. His appointment could re-shape how government handles big-tech cases and conservative voices online

Business, Politics • December 11 2024 , 01:59 AM  •  3014 views
UK delays big tech cloud probe as Microsoft faces billion-pound lawsuit

UK delays big tech cloud probe as Microsoft faces billion-pound lawsuit

British watchdog pushes back cloud market investigation results to early-2025‚ while keeping final deadline intact. **Microsoft** faces new legal troubles over its cloud-service policies in UK and US

Business, Economics • December 6 2024 , 09:07 AM  •  677 views
FTC starts major probe into Microsoft's tech empire - what happens next?

FTC starts major probe into Microsoft's tech empire - what happens next?

Federal watchdogs begin deep-dive into Microsoftʼs cloud tech and AI operations. The big investigationʼs future hangs in balance as new administration prepares to take office next year

Business, Politics • December 2 2024 , 09:02 PM  •  1063 views
FTC starts new probe into Microsoft's tech empire before Biden's term ends

FTC starts new probe into Microsoft's tech empire before Biden's term ends

US trade watchdog begins wide-scale investigation of Microsoftʼs business divisions this winter. The probe targets companyʼs cloud computing AI and security products just months before presidential transition

Business, Politics • November 27 2024 , 11:25 PM  •  1825 views
Trump's new energy pick triggers fresh debate about America's power future

Trump's new energy pick triggers fresh debate about America's power future

Former president picks Liberty Energy CEO for energy secretary role‚ but experts point to bigger power-grid issues. Growing AI needs and aging infrastructure create new challenges for US energy system

Business, Politics • November 20 2024 , 02:18 PM  •  1797 views
Tech giants clash: Musk targets Microsoft in expanded OpenAI legal battle

Tech giants clash: Musk targets Microsoft in expanded OpenAI legal battle

A fresh twist in tech-world legal drama as **Elon Musk** adds more names to his OpenAI lawsuit. The case now points fingers at Microsoft and its board member for changing OpenAIʼs original mission

Business, Politics • November 15 2024 , 08:18 PM  •  1274 views
Chinese hackers target US phone networks before crucial election

Chinese hackers target US phone networks before crucial election

Chinese group broke into major US phone companies networks and got access to political calls. Federal agencies started investigation as questions rise about Chinaʼs role in upcoming election

Business, Politics • November 2 2024 , 05:57 PM  •  2819 views
Seven tech giants control Wall Street: Is this making market unstable?

Seven tech giants control Wall Street: Is this making market unstable?

Seven major tech companies now make up almost third of S&P 500 value. Named after classic Western movie these tech-sector leaders show remarkable growth but raise questions about market stability

Business, Economics • October 30 2024 , 07:48 PM  •  6935 views
Why most Americans dont know who runs their favorite companies

Why most Americans dont know who runs their favorite companies

New data shows surprising low recognition of top business leaders among US citizens. While tech giants lead global markets their CEOs remain unknown to most Americans‚ affecting their role in election season

Business, Politics • October 30 2024 , 12:11 PM  •  1174 views
Arizona's election chiefs share how they fight off foreign meddling threats

Arizona's election chiefs share how they fight off foreign meddling threats

Arizonaʼs top election officials discuss their battle-tested methods against foreign interference and mis-information. Security upgrades and AI-detection systems now guard the stateʼs voting process

Society, Politics • October 28 2024 , 05:01 PM  •  1102 views
New global race: Which countries will power next-gen AI computers?

New global race: Which countries will power next-gen AI computers?

Data-centers become new factories of AI age requiring massive power supplies and strategic locations worldwide. US tech giants plan huge investments while facing domestic limitations

Business, Economics, Science • October 28 2024 , 04:40 AM  •  4528 views