Microsoft owns the Windows operating system and the LinkedIn professional network.
Microsoft developed Windows into one of the world’s dominant desktop operating systems. Its business later expanded through Office productivity software, Azure cloud computing, Xbox, enterprise services, and professional networking after it acquired LinkedIn in 2016 for about $26.2 billion.
The company was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Its early success came from software for personal computers, including a licensing agreement that put MS-DOS on IBM-compatible PCs. Windows became a major consumer and business platform during the 1990s.
LinkedIn remains a separately branded service, but Microsoft owns it. This distinction matters because Microsoft’s market capitalization reflects the combined expectations for its many businesses, not just Windows. Its cloud and subscription operations have become increasingly important alongside traditional software sales.