What year did Bill Gates graduate from Harvard?

Bill Gates did not graduate from Harvard College, so there is no graduation year. He entered Harvard in 1973 but left without completing his degree to build Microsoft with Paul Allen.

Gates studied at Harvard for roughly two years and pursued several subjects, including mathematics and computer science. While there, he spent substantial time working with computers and developing software ideas. His decision to leave was tied to the rapidly growing personal-computer industry and Microsoft's early business opportunities.

Microsoft had been founded in 1975, initially to develop and sell a version of the BASIC programming language for the Altair 8800. Gates's departure from Harvard allowed him to focus more fully on the company. Microsoft later became one of the world's most influential technology firms.

The question can be confusing because Gates eventually received an honorary Harvard degree in 2007, 32 years after leaving the university. An honorary degree recognizes achievement but is not the same as graduating from a completed undergraduate program.