Microsoft created the Windows operating system and exceeded a $1 trillion market capitalization in 2019 after Apple.
Windows became one of the most widely used operating systems for personal computers, while Microsoft’s Office software helped establish a powerful business-software franchise. The company later expanded into cloud computing through Azure, gaming through Xbox, and professional networking through LinkedIn.
Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Its original breakthrough came from supplying a version of the BASIC programming language for the Altair 8800, followed by software partnerships that helped place its operating system on personal computers.
Its market-cap growth in the 2010s was closely linked to cloud services and recurring software subscriptions. Market capitalization measures investor valuation and does not directly describe Microsoft’s sales, profits, or cash balance.