Microsoft developed Windows and became the second company to reach a $3 trillion market capitalization.
Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975 to develop software for the Altair 8800 microcomputer. Its major breakthrough came with MS-DOS, followed by Windows, which became the dominant desktop operating system for many years.
The company expanded from personal-computer software into enterprise technology, cloud computing, gaming, search, and professional networking. Its Azure cloud platform and Office subscription products became especially important to its modern valuation.
Microsoft crossed $3 trillion in market capitalization in January 2024, after Apple had reached that milestone first. Market capitalization is the share price multiplied by shares outstanding, so it changes constantly and is different from revenue or total company assets.