Microsoft

Microsoft

By ivannajairala

  • Bill Gates

    A 19-year-old Gates drops out of Harvard University and goes on to found Microsoft with childhood friend Paul Allen. They make their first product - a BASIC programming code interpreter for the Altair 8800 microcomputer.

  • Company increasing

    With sales topping $1 million at the end of 1978, the company moves to Bellevue, Washington, from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

  • Steve Ballmer

    In June, Gates recruits former Harvard classmate Steve Ballmer to become the company's first business manager.

  • Windows

    Microsoft announces its new software "Windows," which aims to enhance the MS-DOS interface with visual features.

  • MS-DOS

    Microsoft releases its new operating software Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS).

  • Windows 1.0

    "Windows 1.0" begins to ship. Moving on from MS-DOS commands, which some users found challenging to master, the system used simple clicks of a mouse to work through tasks on screens or "windows."

  • Microsoft to Washington

    Microsoft moves its corporate headquarters to Redmond, Washington. It goes public at $21 per share and raises about $60 million.

  • 2.0

    Windows 2.0 arrived

  • Largest pc software company

    computers start becoming more commonplace in the office. Microsoft becomes the largest PC software company based on global sales.

  • 3.0

    Windows 3.0 is released

  • Windows era

    Windows 95 is released and sales surpass 1 million copies in four days. PC sales begin to explode as computers make their way into homes, schools and business, kicking off the "Windows era."

  • IE

    Microsoft introduces its Web browser "Internet Explorer."

  • Windows 98

    the first consumer-focused version of Windows, is released. That same year, the U.S. Department of Justice files antitrust charges against Microsoft relating to bundling of its programs into its operating systems. U.S. regulators accuse the company of using its dominance in software and monopolistic practices to drive competitors out of business.

  • CEO

    Ballmer succeeds Gates as CEO in January. The two met as students at Harvard, when Gates lived down the hall from Ballmer.