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History of Microsoft

By chlsea196
  • Bill Gates and Paul Allen complete BASIC

    Bill Gates and Paul Allen complete BASIC

  • Microsoft founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen

    Microsoft founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen

  • Microsoft ships its second language, Fortran.

  • Microsoft 8080 BASIC wins ICP Million Dollar Award.

  • IBM awards Microsoft the contract to provide an operating system for the IBM PC.

    This operating system later becomes known as MS-DOS.
  • Microsoft released Microsoft Word.

    Microsoft released Microsoft Word.

    The word processor is the first to use WYSIWYG features.
  • Microsoft launches the first version of Windows.

    Microsoft launches the first version of Windows.

  • Microsoft releases Windows 3.0.

    Microsoft releases Windows 3.0.

    This is the first version of Windows that gains popularity among IBM PC users and eventually becomes a standard install by manufacturers.
  • Windows NT is launched.

    Windows NT is launched.

    Originally developed as OS/2 version 3.0, Microsoft slowly split from IBM and the joint development of OS/2 after Windows 3.0's popularity.
  • Microsoft releases Windows 95

    Microsoft releases Windows 95

    The replacement to MS-DOS. The Microsoft Network (MSN) is also officially launched on this date.
  • Microsoft invests 150 million into Apple

    Microsoft invests 150 million into Apple

    After Apple's stock had fallen by more than 50%.
  • Microsoft XP is released

    Microsoft XP is released

    This operating system signals the end of the Windows 95 line of operating systems and brings the NT line into the mainstream.
  • Microsoft launches the Xbox.

    Microsoft launches the Xbox.

  • Microsoft announces Windows Mobile

    Microsoft announces Windows Mobile

    an operating system for smartphones and PDAs