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Founded
Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded the company Microsoft. -
Partnership with IBM
Microsoft signs a contract with IBM, agreeing to develop an operating system for IBM's first personal computer. -
Multi-Tool Word Released
Microsoft announced the release of Multi-Tool Word, which would later be known as we know it, Microsoft Word. -
Microsoft Excel Released
After receiving backlash from competition's release of Lotus 1-2-3, Microsoft releases Microsoft Excel to overtake the competition. -
Launch of Windows 1.0
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. -
Launch of Windows 3.0
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 Office Released
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. -
Launch of Windows 95
Microsoft launches a new version of their operating system that now includes a new interface with an easy-to-access start button. -
Partnership with NBC
Microsoft partners up with NBC to create a cable news television station called MSNBC -
Partnership with Apple
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. -
Launch of Windows 98
Microsoft launches Windows 98, which included USB support, the address bar in Windows Explorer, and back and forth navigation buttons. -
New CEO: Steve Ballmer
Bill Gates decides to hand over his position as CEO to Steve Ballmer. -
Launch of Xbox
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 Bing Released
Microsoft announces and releases Microsoft Bing, a search engine to replace MSN and compete with Google. -
Launch of Windows 10
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.
