Microsoft owns the Windows operating system and the Xbox gaming brand.
Windows became Microsoft’s best-known personal-computer platform after its first release in 1985. Microsoft entered the console market with the original Xbox, released in North America in 2001. Xbox later expanded into online services, game publishing, subscriptions, and cloud gaming.
These products are only two parts of Microsoft’s business. The company also develops Microsoft 365, Azure cloud services, Surface devices, LinkedIn, and professional developer tools. Microsoft’s market capitalization reflects this diversified structure, not just consumer software. A frequent mix-up is treating Xbox as a separate public company; it is a Microsoft gaming brand and business division.