Microsoft
Microsoft is a devices and services company based in Redmond, Washington – a city about 16 miles east of Seattle. Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Traditionally a software company at heart, Microsoft dabbled in hardware with computing peripherals like mice and keyboards before going all in with the Surface line of tablets. The pending acquisition of Nokia’s handset unit will further add to Microsoft’s future plan to be a devices and services company.
Microsoft has many products in both the consumer and enterprise space. Most consumers are familiar with Microsoft through their operating system Windows, their office software suite Microsoft Office, their home entertainment consoles Xbox, and their mobile operating system Windows Phone.
Microsoft rose to power in the 90’s thanks to its operating system Windows and its office software suite called Microsoft Office. In the early 00’s Microsoft cracked the living room by launching the original Xbox. The Xbox has now seen three generational entries, with the Xbox One being Microsoft’s answer to the eight generation of gaming consoles.
Windows and Office continue to be a large part of revenue for Microsoft, but their future plans have shifted from a “computer on every desk” to “mobile first, cloud first”. Microsoft is investing heavily in their Azure, their cloud computing platform that will be the backbone of what they do for the next generation of computing.
Windows, Windows Phone, Office, Azure, Azure, Surface, and Cortana are all at the heart of what Microsoft’s future will focus on.
Latest about Microsoft
How to manage storage devices on Windows 11
By Mauro Huculak last updated
On Windows 11, through GUI experience, you can manage storage devices with the Disks & volume settings or using the legacy Disk Management console, and in this guide, I will explain how.
Microsoft revives MSN brand with fresh new logo for 2024 — replaces "Microsoft Start" branding in Edge
By Zac Bowden published
MSN In a statement to Windows Central, Microsoft has confirmed that it's unifying its news content services under the MSN brand once again.
News roundup: Xbox snags a PlayStation exclusive and Mac mini puts PCs to shame
By Sean Endicott published
Shocking news Death Stranding's surprise launch on Xbox Series X|S and Windows 11 topped the headlines this week. We also saw OpenAI's CEO discuss AGI, Microsoft 365 prices go up, and Apple unveil its M4 Mac mini.
Content funding on Windows Central
By Daniel Rubino published
How do we fund the content that you read on Windows Central?
Windows 11's market share hits 35.55% — but Windows 10 remains dominant
By Kevin Okemwa published
WINDOWS 10 ⚡ A new report indicates Windows 11's market share hit 35.55% in October 2024. Still, Windows 10 continues to dominate the category with 60.97% of the market share.
Microsoft 365 will soon cost more, and it's Copilot's fault
By Sean Endicott published
AI!!! Microsoft 365 Personal and Microsoft 365 Family will soon cost more in several regions. The price increase is due to the addition of AI features in Copilot and Designer.
Microsoft's Mustafa Suleyman says the AI revolution will raise fundamental questions about humanity
By Kevin Okemwa published
AI REVOLUTION Mustafa Suleyman believes AI advances could distributively destabilize how we understand the world, fundamentally raising questions about humanity.
Microsoft might rebrand its AI platform to "Windows Intelligence"
By Kevin Okemwa published
Is this intelligent? References from the appprivacy.adml file shared on X suggests the company could potentially group Windows 11's AI-powered features under one umbrella called Windows Intelligence.
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.