Microsoft was founded in 1975 as a partnership between Bill Gates and Paul Allen.
Gates and Allen established Microsoft after developing a version of the BASIC programming language for the Altair 8800 personal computer. The company’s name was formed from “microcomputer” and “software,” reflecting its original focus on programming tools for emerging personal computers.
Microsoft later became a global technology leader through operating systems, productivity software, cloud computing, business applications, gaming, and hardware. Its Windows operating system and Office software became especially important to the growth of the personal-computer industry.
The company’s market capitalization has placed it repeatedly among the world’s richest listed companies. A company’s market cap is not determined by its founding date or revenue alone; it is the current share price multiplied by outstanding shares, so rankings can change daily.