Microsoft created the Windows operating system and launched Microsoft 365.
Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in 1975, originally to develop software for the Altair 8800 microcomputer. The company became especially influential after providing MS-DOS for IBM-compatible personal computers and then developing Windows, which became one of the world's most widely used desktop operating systems.
Microsoft's modern business includes cloud computing through Azure, productivity software such as Microsoft 365, gaming through Xbox, and professional networking through LinkedIn. Microsoft 365 is the subscription-based successor to the Office productivity suite, although Microsoft Office remains a commonly used name for its applications. The company is frequently confused with its operating system: Windows is a Microsoft product, not a separate company.