Bill Gates and Paul Allen create a version of the BASIC language to run on microcomputers
Microsoft founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen
With the idea of branching out into different computer languages, 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. The word processor is the first to use WYSIWYG features.
Microsoft launches the first version of Windows.
Microsoft announces OS/2, an operating system developed jointly with IBM. OS/2 is officially released in December of 1987.
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.
Microsoft announces Visual Basic, a development platform with a visual interface.
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, the replacement to MS-DOS. The Microsoft Network (MSN) is also officially launched on this date.
Microsoft invests 150 million into Apple after Apple's stock had fallen by more than 50%.
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 announces Windows Mobile, an operating system for smartphones and PDAs.
