Microsoft is now 50 years old

is a senior editor and author of Notepad , who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years. Fifty years ago today, Micro-Soft was founded by friends Bill Gates and Paul Allen. As the name implies, Microsoft was originally focused on microprocessors and software, and Gates and Allen created the company to develop software for the Altair 8800, an early personal computer. Founded on April 4th, 1975, Microsoft went on to strike a deal with IBM to provide software for its first PC in 1980. This became the foundation of MS-DOS, which dominated IBM-compatible PCs during the ’80s. Microsoft’s early success in developing software for PCs eventually led to the first version of Windows in 1985 and a dream of a PC on every desk and in every home. Windows 95 was one of the most highly-anticipated versions of Windows ever. Image: Microsoft That early Windows GUI on top of MS-DOS quickly progressed into an even more capable operating system with the launch of Windows 95 ... Read full article.