Microsoft Corporation Profile- The Leading Software Company

Table of Contents

Company Details & Summary

Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
Founded: April 4, 1975
Founders: Bill Gates and Paul Allen
Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, USA
CEO: Satya Nadella
Industry: Technology
Employees: ~250,000 (2025)
Website: www.microsoft.com

Microsoft Corporation is a global leader in technology, founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Headquartered in Redmond, Washington, the company initially rose to prominence by developing MS-DOS, and later, the Windows operating system, which became the dominant OS for personal computers worldwide. Its productivity suite, Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is a standard in business and education. Over time, Microsoft has transformed from a software-focused company into a diversified tech giant with operations spanning cloud computing, hardware, digital services, and artificial intelligence.

One of Microsoft’s most significant shifts came under the leadership of Satya Nadella, who became CEO in 2014. He steered the company toward cloud computing with Azure, now one of the top cloud platforms competing with Amazon Web Services (AWS). The company also emphasizes enterprise services, developer tools, and cybersecurity. Strategic acquisitions have played a key role in Microsoft’s growth and evolution, including the purchases of LinkedIn in 2016, GitHub in 2018, Nuance Communications in 2021, and gaming giant Activision Blizzard in 2023. These moves have strengthened Microsoft’s position in AI, professional networking, open-source development, and digital entertainment.

Beyond its commercial success, Microsoft is also deeply involved in research and development, particularly in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and sustainability initiatives. Its AI integration spans across its product line—from Copilot in Microsoft 365 to AI-enhanced features in Azure and GitHub. The company has also pledged to become carbon negative by 2030, reflecting its broader corporate responsibility goals. Today, Microsoft stands as one of the most valuable publicly traded companies in the world, with a strong influence across global industries including business, education, healthcare, and gaming.

Company Timeline & History

1975: Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft with the vision of creating software for early personal computers.
1980: Microsoft signed a contract with IBM to provide an operating system, resulting in the development of MS-DOS.
1985: Microsoft launched the Windows operating system.
1990s: The company expanded into the software business with the introduction of Microsoft Office.
2000: Microsoft entered the gaming market with the release of the first Xbox.
2014: Satya Nadella became CEO, refocusing the company on cloud computing and AI.
2020-2025: Microsoft solidified its position as a leader in cloud computing with Azure and acquired LinkedIn, GitHub, and other major assets.

Here is the Timeline of important events of Amazon from the start till now:

Company Milestones

1995: Launch of Windows 95, a significant upgrade that introduced the Start menu and Taskbar.
2000: Release of the first Xbox, establishing Microsoft’s presence in the gaming industry.
2014: Satya Nadella becomes CEO, shifting the company’s focus toward cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
2016: Microsoft acquires LinkedIn for $26.2 billion.
2019: The launch of the Azure AI services, which significantly expanded Microsoft’s capabilities in artificial intelligence.

Products Launch

Microsoft Windows OS (1985): One of the most widely used operating systems globally.
Microsoft Office Suite (1990): A suite of productivity tools including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Xbox Console (2001): A popular gaming console, marking Microsoft’s entry into the gaming industry.
Surface Tablets (2012): A line of touchscreen-based personal computers and hybrid devices.
Azure (2010): Microsoft’s cloud computing platform, providing a broad range of services, from data storage to AI capabilities.
Microsoft Teams (2017): A collaboration platform integrating chat, video conferencing, and file sharing.
LinkedIn Acquisition (2016): A major acquisition to expand Microsoft’s enterprise tools and networking capabilities.

Acquisitions

LinkedIn (2016): A social media platform for professionals, acquired for $26.2 billion.
GitHub (2018): A software development platform, which is widely used for version control and collaborative coding.
Nokia’s Devices & Services Division (2014): A $7.2 billion acquisition aimed at strengthening Microsoft’s mobile strategy (though later sold).
ZeniMax Media (2021): A major acquisition of a gaming company, including the parent company of Bethesda Softworks.

Company Managerial Structure

Company Structure

Satya Nadella: Chairman and CEO of Microsoft. Under his leadership, Microsoft has expanded into cloud computing and AI, making significant strategic shifts.
Amy Hood: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, overseeing financial operations, including revenue generation and cost control.
Brad Smith: President and Vice Chair, responsible for global corporate affairs and ensuring Microsoft’s ethical and regulatory compliance.

Company Mission, Vision and Values

Mission Statement

“To empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.”

Vision

“To create innovative technology that drives positive change and benefits humanity at every scale, from individuals to businesses.”

Core Values

Integrity: Microsoft adheres to ethical business practices and promotes transparency.
Accountability: The company takes responsibility for its impact on customers, employees, and the environment.
Innovation: Microsoft continuously evolves and drives advancements in technology, particularly in cloud computing and AI.
Diversity and Inclusion: The company promotes an inclusive culture where all employees feel valued and empowered.
Sustainability: Microsoft aims to become carbon negative by 2030 and is actively involved in environmental conservation efforts.

Company Subsidiaries- Companies and brands, Acquisitions

LinkedIn: A professional networking platform acquired by Microsoft in 2016.
GitHub: A platform for software developers, acquired by Microsoft in 2018.
Minecraft: A popular gaming franchise, owned by Microsoft since 2014.
Skype: A telecommunications platform, purchased by Microsoft in 2011.
Nokia Devices Division: Microsoft acquired Nokia’s mobile division in 2014 (later sold in 2016).

Products and Services

Windows OS: Microsoft’s flagship operating system for personal computers.
Microsoft Office Suite: Productivity software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Azure: A cloud computing platform that provides businesses with data storage, computing power, and artificial intelligence services.
Xbox: A gaming console that is one of the top competitors to Sony’s PlayStation.
Surface Devices: A line of personal computing devices, including laptops and tablets.
Teams: A communication and collaboration platform integrated with Office 365 for businesses.
LinkedIn Premium: A subscription-based service offering career development tools and networking opportunities.

Competitors Comparison

Apple Inc.: Competes in software, hardware, and cloud services.
Google (Alphabet Inc.): Competes in search engines, cloud computing (Google Cloud vs. Azure), and productivity tools.
Amazon Web Services (AWS): Competes directly with Azure in the cloud computing space.
Oracle Corporation: Competes in database management systems and enterprise software solutions.
IBM: Competes with Microsoft in enterprise solutions, particularly cloud computing and AI.

Key Financials (Last Fiscal Year 2023)

Metric	2023	2022	2021
Revenue	$211.9 billion	$198.3 billion	$168.1 billion
Net Income	$72.7 billion	$61.3 billion	$61.3 billion
Operating Income	$85.6 billion	$75.2 billion	$59.9 billion
Market Capitalization	$2.5 trillion	$2.3 trillion	$2.0 trillion
Earnings Per Share (EPS)	$9.65	$8.05	$8.02