Which company was originally named Micro-Soft when founded in 1975?

Microsoft was originally named Micro-Soft when founded in 1975. The name combined “microcomputer” and “software,” reflecting the company’s early focus on programming tools for emerging personal computers.

Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded the company after developing a version of the BASIC programming language for the Altair 8800. The hyphen was later removed, and Microsoft became the familiar corporate name.

Microsoft’s early software agreement with IBM helped establish its operating-system business. MS-DOS became widely used on IBM-compatible personal computers, giving Microsoft a powerful position in the software market.

The company later expanded into Windows, Office, cloud computing, gaming, and enterprise services. Its market capitalization has placed it among the world’s richest companies, but Microsoft’s origins were much smaller: a two-person programming venture serving the first generation of microcomputers.