-
Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded the company Microsoft.
-
Microsoft signs a contract with IBM, agreeing to develop an operating system for IBM's first personal computer.
-
Microsoft announced the release of Multi-Tool Word, which would later be known as we know it, Microsoft Word.
-
After receiving backlash from competition's release of Lotus 1-2-3, Microsoft releases Microsoft Excel to overtake the competition.
-
Microsoft launches its first version of their operating system, Windows 1.0. This operating system had primitive GUI in order to compete with Steve Jobs' Macintosh.
-
Microsoft launches the new edition of Windows, Windows 3.0. With this version of the operating system came multitasking, virtual memory, and improved graphics.
-
Microsoft releases a bundle that includes three powerful programs that we all still use today called Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office included: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint.
-
Microsoft launches a new version of their operating system that now includes a new interface with an easy-to-access start button.
-
Microsoft partners up with NBC to create a cable news television station called MSNBC
-
Apple Inc. announces that they will be entering a partnership with Microsoft. This partnership included that Microsoft would release Microsoft Office for Macintosh and make Internet Explorer the default browser for the Macintosh.
-
Microsoft launches Windows 98, which included USB support, the address bar in Windows Explorer, and back and forth navigation buttons.
-
Bill Gates decides to hand over his position as CEO to Steve Ballmer.
-
Microsoft enters the gaming console industry and launches the first Xbox. The primary competitors at the time were Sony, with their Playstation 2 (launched March 4, 2000), and Nintendo, with their Gamecube (launched September 14, 2001) .
-
Microsoft announces and releases Microsoft Bing, a search engine to replace MSN and compete with Google.
-
After about a year of open beta testing, Microsoft launches Windows 10, and gives users with Windows 7 and Windows 8 a free upgrade to the new version.
