What does Microsoft do?
Microsoft makes the Windows operating system, Office (now Microsoft 365) productivity software, the Azure cloud platform, LinkedIn, GitHub and the Xbox games business. Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded it in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in April 1975; it is now based in Redmond, Washington 3.
How does Microsoft make money?
Its biggest earners are Azure and other cloud services, followed by Microsoft 365 subscriptions, Windows licences, LinkedIn and gaming. It is a major backer of OpenAI and sells AI assistants under the Copilot brand. In the financial year to June 2025 Microsoft reported revenue of $281.7 billion 3.
Who runs and owns Microsoft?
Satya Nadella has been chief executive since 2014. Steve Ballmer, who joined in 1980 and was chief executive from 2000 to 2014, owned about 4% when he retired and says he is still the largest individual shareholder 1. Gates has sold or given away most of his shares.
How much is Microsoft worth?
Microsoft has been listed on Nasdaq since 1986 under the ticker MSFT. At about $507 a share it was worth roughly $3.8 trillion in early November 2026, the third most valuable company in the world; its shares rose 2% in October 2026 while other tech stocks fell 12.
A short history
Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in April 1975. MS-DOS, Windows and Office made it the dominant PC software company, and under Satya Nadella it became a cloud and AI giant 4.
