# Microsoft

> American multinational technology corporation

**Wikidata**: [Q2283](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2283)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/microsoft

## Summary

Microsoft was founded on April 4, 1975.[1] It is a Washington corporation.[2] Its headquarters are in Redmond.Satya Nadella is its CEO.[3] It operates in the technology industry, software industry, software development, and International Standard Industrial Classification. It had 221k employees in 2022.[4]

## Summary
Microsoft is an American multinational technology corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of software products, services, and devices. It is best known for its Microsoft Windows family of operating systems, a foundational component of modern personal computing. The company also produces computer hardware, consumer electronics, and provides cloud computing services.

## Key Facts
- **Inception Date:** April 4, 1975
- **Founders:** Bill Gates and Paul Allen
- **Headquarters:** Redmond, Washington, United States
- **Current CEO:** Satya Nadella (since February 4, 2014)
- **Key Products:** Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Servers, Azure, Microsoft Dynamics, Visual Studio, Microsoft Surface
- **Legal Form:** Washington corporation
- **Stock Ticker:** MSFT (Nasdaq)
- **Employees:** 221,000 (as of 2022)
- **Primary Industries:** Technology, software, consumer electronics

## FAQs
### Q: Who founded Microsoft?
A: Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen on April 4, 1975.

### Q: Who is the current CEO of Microsoft?
A: Satya Nadella is the current CEO of Microsoft. He took on the role on February 4, 2014, succeeding Steve Ballmer.

### Q: What are Microsoft's most famous products?
A: Microsoft is most famous for its Microsoft Windows family of operating systems, which was first released in 1985. Other major products include the Azure cloud platform, Microsoft Servers, the Microsoft Surface line of hardware, and the Xbox gaming division.

## Why It Matters
Microsoft's significance lies in its foundational role in the personal computer revolution and its continued influence as a dominant force in the global technology industry. The company's Windows operating system became the standard for PCs worldwide, shaping how billions of people interact with technology in their personal and professional lives. This software dominance provided a platform for a vast ecosystem of third-party applications and hardware, driving widespread digital adoption.

As a member of the "Big Tech" group and a component of major indices like the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq-100, Microsoft's financial performance and strategic direction have a substantial impact on the global economy. Its expansion from software into enterprise services with Azure, hardware with Surface, and entertainment with Xbox demonstrates its successful evolution and diversification. The company's ongoing work in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and business solutions ensures its relevance in defining the future of technology.

## Notable For
- **Windows Operating System:** Developed the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems, the most widely used desktop OS globally since its first release in 1985.
- **Foundational Software Company:** As one of the earliest and most successful software-focused companies, it pioneered the model of licensing software for personal computers.
- **Video Game Industry Leader:** Owns and operates Xbox Game Studios, a major division in the video game industry, and has acquired numerous influential game developers, including Rare Ltd. and Mojang Studios.
- **Enterprise and Cloud Services:** Operates Azure, one of the world's leading cloud computing platforms, providing a wide range of services for businesses and developers.
- **Co-founded by Bill Gates:** The company was co-founded by Bill Gates, one of the most prominent and influential figures in the history of the technology industry.

## Body
### Corporate Identity and History
Microsoft Corporation is an American technology company founded on April 4, 1975, by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. It was originally formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is legally incorporated as a Washington corporation. The company's global headquarters is located at the Microsoft Redmond Campus in Redmond, Washington.

### Leadership
- **Founders:** Bill Gates, Paul Allen
- **CEO History:**
    - Bill Gates (1975 - 2000)
    - Steve Ballmer (2000 - 2014)
    - Satya Nadella (2014 - Present)
- **Board Members:** As of 2017-2019 reports, the board has included Reid Hoffman, Hugh Francis Johnston, Teri List, Penny Pritzker, and Satya Nadella. Bill Gates served on the board from 1981 until 2020.

### Business and Financials
Microsoft is a public company traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol MSFT and is a component of the Nasdaq-100, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and S&P 500 indices. The company operates worldwide in the technology, software, and consumer electronics industries.

- **Revenue (2020):** $143.015 billion USD
- **Net Profit (2021):** $61.271 billion USD
- **Total Assets (2023):** $411.976 billion USD
- **Market Capitalization (May 2025):** $3.162 trillion USD
- **Major Owners (as of 2023):** The Vanguard Group is the largest institutional owner. Other major owners have included BlackRock and State Street Corporation.

### Products and Divisions
Microsoft's business is organized around several key product areas and organizational divisions.
- **Products:**
    - **Operating Systems:** Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Servers
    - **Cloud Computing:** Azure
    - **Business Software:** Microsoft Dynamics, Visual Studio
    - **Hardware:** Microsoft Surface, Microsoft Mobile
- **Divisions:**
    - Microsoft Research
    - Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit
    - Microsoft Press
    - Microsoft Gaming

### Subsidiaries
Microsoft has acquired and operates numerous subsidiaries, particularly in the video game industry.
- **Xbox Game Studios:** The company's primary video game division, founded in 2000.
- **Mojang Studios:** The developer of Minecraft.
- **Rare Ltd.:** A British video game developer founded in 1985.
- **Lionhead Studios:** A British video game developer founded in 1996.
- **Turn 10 Studios:** An American video game developer founded in 2001.
- **Havok:** An Irish software company focused on the video game industry.

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## References

1. GRID
2. [Source](https://www.lobbyfacts.eu/datacard/microsoft-corporation?rid=0801162959-21)
3. [Source](http://www.microsoft.com/investor/Downloads/Investor%20Services/Information%20for%20Investors/2014_Proxy_Statement.docx)
4. [proxy statement](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/789019/000119312519268531/d791036ddef14a.htm#toc791036_24)
5. [proxy statement](https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https://c.s-microsoft.com/en-us/CMSFiles/2023_Proxy_Statement.docx?version=b617ae33-ddc6-cfbe-26b9-e49437222a01)
6. [Source](https://bigbrotherawards.de/2002)
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. Integrated Authority File
10. CiNii Research
11. [EX-21](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/789019/000095017023035122/msft-ex21.htm)
12. [Source](https://www.geekwire.com/2020/microsoft-acquires-rpa-platform-softomotive-will-add-desktop-automation-tech-power-automate/)
13. [Source](https://clipchamp.com/en/terms/)
14. [Source](https://www.cnbc.com/dow-30/)
15. [The Washington Post. 2019](https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/11/25/silicon-six-spread-propaganda-its-time-regulate-social-media-sites/)
16. [Source](https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239723/ishares-sp-100-etf)
17. Polygon.io
18. [Source](https://www.hkex.com.hk/eng/invest/company/quote_page_e.asp?WidCoID=4338&WidCoAbbName=&Month=&langcode=e)
19. [Source](https://blog.openstreetmap.org/2023/10/25/microsoft-pledges-150k-to-support-openstreetmap/)
20. [Source](https://alpha-omega.dev/)
21. [Source](https://news.microsoft.com/es-es/2015/04/06/historia-microsoft-40-aniversario/)
22. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
23. [Source](https://www.microsoft.com/)
24. MusicBrainz
25. GitHub
26. [Microsoft to Announce Job Cuts as Soon as This Week. Bloomberg News. 2014](http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-15/microsoft-said-to-announce-job-cuts-as-soon-as-this-week.html)
27. [annual report](https://www.microsoft.com/investor/reports/ar16/index.html)
28. [Source](http://news.microsoft.com/facts-about-microsoft/#EmploymentInfo)
29. [Source](https://news.microsoft.com/facts-about-microsoft/#EmploymentInfo)
30. [Form 10-K](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/789019/000156459019027952/msft-10k_20190630.htm)
31. [Source](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/789019/000119312515272806/d918813d10k.htm)
32. [Source](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/789019/000156459017014900/msft-10k_20170630.htm)
33. [Microsoft Annual Report 2020](https://www.microsoft.com/investor/reports/ar20/index.html)
34. [Microsoft Annual Report 2021](https://www.microsoft.com/investor/reports/ar21/index.html)
35. [Source](http://www.linux-usb.org/usb.ids)
36. [Source](https://www.theofficialboard.de/organigramm/microsoft)
37. [Source](https://www.microsoft.com/de-de/rechtliche-hinweise/impressum)
38. [MICROSOFT CORPORATION FORM 10-K For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2020](https://microsoft.gcs-web.com/node/28366/html)
39. [Source](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/)
40. [Source](https://www.microsoft.com/de-de/)
41. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
42. [Form 10-K. 2023](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000789019/000095017023035122/msft-20230630.htm)
43. [Source](https://c.s-microsoft.com/en-us/CMSFiles/MSFT_FY15Q4_10K.docx?version=9fe5e8b6-2e7b-847e-d3e3-a3ba0035973e)
44. [Source](https://www.microsoft.com/investor/reports/ar17/index.html)
45. [Form 10-K](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/789019/000156459021039151/msft-10k_20210630.htm)
46. [Form 10-K](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/789019/000156459022026876/msft-10k_20220630.htm)
47. [Form 10-K. 2010](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000789019/000119312510171791/d10k.htm)
48. [Form 10-K. 2024](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000789019/000095017024087843/msft-20240630.htm)
49. [Form 10-K. 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000789019/000095017025100235/msft-20250630.htm)
50. [Microsoft (MSFT) Stock Key Data](https://www.forbes.com/companies/microsoft)