Microsoft’s journey began in 1975 when childhood friends Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded the company in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Their first big break came when they created a version of the BASIC programming language for the Altair 8800, one of the earliest personal computers. From there, Gates had a bold vision: to put “a computer on every desk and in every home.”

In 1980, Microsoft secured a crucial deal with IBM to provide an operating system for its first personal computer. That operating system, MS-DOS, laid the groundwork for Microsoft’s dominance. The launch of Windows in 1985 introduced a graphical interface that made computing more accessible and user-friendly.

Through the ’90s, Microsoft became the undisputed leader in software. Windows 95 was a massive commercial success, and products like Microsoft Office became the standard for businesses and individuals alike. In 1986, Microsoft went public, and by the age of 31, Gates became the youngest self-made billionaire.

However, the journey wasn’t without setbacks. In the late ’90s, Microsoft faced a major antitrust lawsuit from the U.S. government, which accused it of maintaining a monopoly and stifling competition. The case dragged on for years, and although Microsoft wasn’t broken up, it faced increased scrutiny and was forced to change some of its business practices.

In 2000, Gates stepped down as CEO, handing the reins to Steve Ballmer. Under Ballmer, Microsoft saw continued success but also missed key opportunities—most notably in the mobile and search engine markets, where competitors like Apple and Google surged ahead.

Satya Nadella became CEO in 2014 and shifted Microsoft’s focus toward cloud computing, AI, and subscription services. This pivot paid off massively, with Azure becoming a leader in cloud services and Microsoft Teams becoming essential for remote work. Today, Microsoft is one of the most valuable companies in the world, with a diversified portfolio that extends far beyond Windows.

A Business Lesson from Bill Gates

One key lesson Gates often emphasizes is: “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” Instead of avoiding criticism, Gates urges businesses to embrace feedback as a tool for improvement. Success isn’t just about innovation—it’s about listening, adapting, and constantly striving to do better.