Microsoft changed its name from Micro-Soft to Microsoft in 1976.
Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded the company in 1975 after creating a version of the BASIC programming language for the Altair 8800 microcomputer. The original name used a hyphen to combine “microcomputer” and “software.” The hyphen was removed the following year.
Microsoft’s major early breakthrough came through its operating-system agreement with IBM. MS-DOS became the foundation of IBM-compatible personal computing, while Windows later supplied a graphical environment used by millions of people and businesses.
The company eventually expanded into enterprise software, cloud computing, gaming, search, and professional networking. Its market value has been strongly influenced by recurring software sales and the growth of Azure, Microsoft’s cloud platform. Microsoft’s name is therefore older than Windows, Xbox, and Azure.