Microsoft owns the Windows operating system and the Office productivity suite.
Microsoft developed Windows as a graphical operating-system environment that began shipping in 1985. Its Office suite, which includes applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, became a standard collection of productivity tools for homes, schools, and businesses.
These products helped establish Microsoft as a dominant software company and created a large installed base for later services. Microsoft increasingly delivers Office through Microsoft 365 subscriptions, which combine applications with cloud storage and collaboration features.
Windows and Office are only part of Microsoft’s modern business. The company also operates Azure, sells Xbox products and services, owns LinkedIn and GitHub, and develops enterprise software. The combination of software, cloud computing, and subscriptions has supported Microsoft’s position among the world’s most valuable companies.