microsoft

Microsoft Corporation /ˈmaɪkrəˌsɒft, -roʊ-, -ˌsɔːft/ (commonly referred to as Microsoft or MS) is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington, that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports and sells computer software, consumer electronics and personal computers and services. Its best known software products are the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, Microsoft Office office suite, and Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers. Its flagship hardware products are the Xbox video game consoles and the Microsoft Surface tablet lineup. As of 2011, it was the world's largest software maker by revenue, and one of the world's most valuable companies.
Microsoft was founded by Paul Allen and Bill Gates on April 4, 1975, to develop and sell BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800. It rose to dominate the personal computer operating system market with MS-DOS in the mid-1980s, followed by Microsoft Windows. The company's 1986 initial public offering (IPO), and subsequent rise in its share price, created three billionaires and an estimated 12,000 millionaires among Microsoft employees. Since the 1990s, it has increasingly diversified from the operating system market and has made a number of corporate acquisitions. In May 2011, Microsoft acquired Skype Technologies for $8.5 billion in its largest acquisition up to, June 2016 bought LinkedIn for $26.2 billion.
As of 2015, Microsoft is market-dominant in the IBM PC-compatible operating system market and the office software suite market, although it has lost the majority of the overall operating system market to Android. The company also produces a wide range of other software for desktops and servers, and is active in areas including Internet search (with Bing), the video game industry (with the Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One consoles), the digital services market (through MSN), and mobile phones (via the operating systems of Nokia's former phones and Windows Phone OS). In June 2012, Microsoft entered the personal computer production market for the first time, with the launch of the Microsoft Surface, a line of tablet computers. With the acquisition of Nokia's devices and services division to form Microsoft Mobile, the company re-entered the smartphone hardware market, after its previous attempt, Microsoft Kin, which resulted from their acquisition of Danger Inc.
The word "Microsoft" is a portmanteau of "microcomputer" and "software".

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  1. W

    For Sale Microsoft Surface Go Pentium 4415Y / 128gb / 8GB

    Very good condition, spec in the pictures. Looking for £180 posted, open to offers.
  2. LFC Jon

    Question Anybody using MSDefender

    I've just loaded this app on my phone and basically want to know what "Pro & Con" has anyone found by using it.
  3. Dave X

    For Sale Microsoft Surface Pro 3, silver, 128GB, with keyboard cover

    Microsoft Surface Pro 3, silver, 128GB storage (expandable via microSD slot), condition shows some cosmetic wear to the body but the screen is unmarked. I’ve added photos to show the wear where possible. Battery health works out at 90% (38,106mWh from a total of 42,157mWh) The Pro has genuine...
  4. allanb1985

    For Sale Microsoft Wireless Headset

    I have for sale my official Microsoft Wireless Headset. It’s in excellent condition and comes in original box, hardly been used to be honest. Price includes RMSD
  5. L

    Microsoft 365 for Excel

    I currently use a Windows 11 laptop on which libre office was installed from purchase (of laptop). As a long-term user of excel I'm really struggling with libre office. I'm told I can get excel for £60 per year with a subscription from Microsoft which also provides cloud storage. If I take this...
  6. broona

    Wanted Xbox rechargeable battery, preferably Microsoft version

    Looking for one or two rechargeable battery sets, I'd prefer one that charges inside the controller, but willing to consider alternatives too, thanks.
  7. Spen69

    For Sale Microsoft designer keyboard / mouse and Jabra Evolve-2 65 wireless bluettoth headset

    Unwanted gift, cost £120 Taken out of box to check, otherwise completely unused as can be seen from the photos. Bluetooth so connects to any laptop or tablet £50 collected from S11 Whirlow in Sheffield or will post to any UK address for additional postage cost 👍
  8. G

    Microsoft family safety

    Hi all, Had an email about the above a couple of times now and don't know if it's legit or not, if so what does it do and whether I need to do anything about it as there is a link in the email Any advice would be appreciated Kind regards Mark
  9. S2000 VTEC

    For Sale Xbox Series X Console Boxed with Microsoft warranty until Nov 24 £330 + Elite 2 Controller

    Boxed with everything from new. Microsoft warranty until late November 2024. Sparingly used. £330 posted. Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Controller (white). Boxed charging cable and tension tool. No manual. Good clean condition. No warranty. £70 posted. No offers considered.
  10. S

    Microsoft went back on its word over gaming job cuts, claims regulator

    Microsoft went back on its word over gaming job cuts, claims regulator
  11. Pooon

    Microsoft wireless Headset

    Does anyone have one of these? Xbox Wireless Headset for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows 10 Devices https://amzn.eu/d/c7ffX7M Are they any good or is there a better alternative for similar money which are wireless I currently have a Steelseries 9x that ive had for about 4 years which...
  12. lemmy31

    For Sale or Trade One-Mix 5 - i7 12th Gen, 32gb ram, 2Tb SSD - 10.1" screen

    One-Netbook One Mix 5 Mini version of Microsoft Studio Surface laptop. Windows 11 Home 10.1 inch screen 12 gen intel i7 processor 32 gb ram 2 tb SSD Comes with Original box and accessories, two pin power plug and in excellent condition Original hard case Battery still at 100%...
  13. C

    Microsoft rewards question, more available on my sons profile then mine? Any advise please!

    Hi, I am a long time UK based XBOX gamer and subscriber to Gold/Game Pass ultimate, I recently bought my son a XBOX Series S and set him up his account, I noticed he has much more opportunities to earn Microsoft reward points than I do. He has options to play with friends on PC to gain points...
  14. R

    Streaming?

    Can anyone explain how streaming works if your not going to a Microsoft site? Last time I brought a game, I streamed it through XBOX site. If I use STREAM do I instal the app first? Cheers.
  15. L

    Microsoft Word Forum

    Hi all I wondered if anyone knows some decent Microsoft Outlook forums where i can ask a question , as i don't think the problem may not be best asked here. My friend who is a doctor has laptop running Office 365 but when he is typing an email to someone in German. An Apply Styles box will...
  16. Ian Collen

    NEWS: Microsoft finally claims victory in bid to buy Activision Blizzard & comments

    After UK regulators approve the $69 billion deal, the company has formally welcomed the Call of Duty and Candy Crush owner into the Xbox family. Read the news.
  17. jont

    Weird usb-c socket on Microsoft surface laptop - any adaptors ?

    Mrs T has just been given a new Surface laptop which has a usb-c socket on left hand side which I want to connect to a spare hub to give her network/twin screen/power/etc … only thing is the socket is on the angled underside of the case and doesn’t present a flush face to plug the cable in to...
  18. buddy777

    How do i get microsoft edge on my new Mac pc?

    I have tried edge website download,,but Apple say i must login with my Apple which i have long forgotten and getting a new Apple password with apple is just a nightmare It tells me to look at the message on my old mac, but it does not say how to find the message on my old mac.Can anyone help...
  19. R

    Question Dell issue with wanting microsoft work/school acc

    Hi wonder if anyone can help just bought a Dell latitude 5520 ( i5 11th gen Win 11 pro ) with fresh install of win 11 when you get to the page wanting the microsoft acc, it wants a work or school acc, i only have a personal acc it won't accept, i have tried reinstalling win 11 clean from media...
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