Microsoft created the Windows operating system and the Microsoft 365 productivity suite.
The company was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975. It first became widely known for developing and licensing software for personal computers, especially the MS-DOS operating system. Windows later became Microsoft’s best-known operating-system family, supplying a graphical environment used on computers around the world.
Microsoft 365 is the subscription-based successor to the Office productivity brand. Its applications include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, although the exact bundle varies by plan. A common mix-up is treating Microsoft 365 as only a software package: it also includes cloud services and subscription benefits.
Microsoft expanded far beyond desktop software. Its major businesses include Azure cloud computing, Xbox gaming, LinkedIn, enterprise security, and developer tools such as GitHub. The company is incorporated in Washington state and trades on Nasdaq under MSFT.