What was Microsoft’s original company name when it was founded in 1975?

Microsoft was originally called Micro-Soft when it was founded in 1975.

Bill Gates and Paul Allen established the company to develop and sell software for the Altair 8800, an early personal computer. The name combined “microcomputer” and “software,” reflecting the company’s original focus.

The hyphen was later removed, and Microsoft became one of the world’s most valuable companies through operating systems, productivity software, cloud computing, gaming, and enterprise services. Its Windows and Office products became especially influential in personal and workplace computing.

Microsoft is sometimes described as having begun with MS-DOS, but the company first gained attention by creating a version of the BASIC programming language for the Altair. MS-DOS became important later, after Microsoft licensed it to IBM for the IBM PC.