Imagine a world in the 1970s where computers were rare, expensive, and used only by big companies and universities.

In a world of dreams and lines of code,
Bill Gates paved the way on a visionary road.
From humble beginnings to a future so bright,
Join us to explore his journey and insight.

Two young friends were living in Seattle, full of passion and ambition, dreaming of a future where every home would have a computer. This vision became a reality, changing how we live, work, and connect today. So let’s get started!

The story of Microsoft begins in 1975 with a brilliant young mind named Bill Gates. Growing up in Seattle, a major city in Washington in the US, Bill was not any average, common kid. He was an avid reader and had a passion for mathematics and technology.

At 13, he wrote his first computer program on a Teletype terminal at his school. This early exposure to computers lit a spark in him.

In 1974, while he was a student at Harvard University, Bill’s childhood friend Paul Allen found an article about a new microcomputer called the Altair 8800.

Filled with excitement, Paul showed it to Bill saying, “This is it! We need to create software for this!” This moment led to the start of Microsoft.

They dreamed and believed, computers weren’t just for big companies or universities — they would someday be in every home and office. With this vision, they left college and took a bold leap into the unknown.

In 1975, they established ‘Microsoft’ — a small startup with a big dream: “A computer on every desk and in every home.” Microsoft combines “microcomputer” and “software,” where micro refers to small computers and soft stands for software.

In the early days, Microsoft focused on creating software for other companies’ computers. They hit their first major success when they partnered with IBM in 1980. IBM was looking for an operating system for their new personal computer, and Microsoft provided them with MS-DOS.

Instead of selling MS-DOS completely, Microsoft licensed it to IBM and many other companies for a fee. This smart decision helped Microsoft achieve significant profits and gain a strong position in the growing personal computer market. So this partnership was a turning point, but Bill had even bigger ambitions.

Bill found that while MS-DOS was powerful, it wasn’t user-friendly as users needed to learn all the commands. He wanted to create something anyone could use, no matter how little they knew about computers.

This led to the development of Windows, the graphical interface that made computing easier and more accessible.

With Windows, people didn’t need to learn complicated commands they could point, click, and get things done.

In 1985, Windows 1.0 was released. At first, it didn’t become popular, but Bill and his team didn’t give up. They kept improving it, and by 1990, with the release of Windows 3.0, Microsoft was on top.

This version changed everything. Suddenly, people could use computers — whether for work or at home. It was the beginning of the computer revolution.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Microsoft. As the company grew, so did its challenges. There were competitors, legal battles, and critics who challenged Bill Gates’ vision.

One of the biggest challenges for Microsoft came in the late 1990s when the U.S. government accused the company of being a monopoly, meaning it had too much control over the software market.

This allegation was a serious setback, many believed it could lead to the company’s downfall.

But Bill Gates didn’t let setbacks stop him. He focused on innovation instead. During this time, Microsoft developed Windows XP, one of the most successful operating systems ever.

A Legacy Beyond Technology

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Bill started focusing on philanthropy. He was inspired by global issues he saw during his travels.

In 2000, he stepped down as CEO of Microsoft. He became the chief software architect to spend more time on charity work.

That same year, he and his then-wife Melinda Gates started the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to tackle global challenges. Gates left his daily role at Microsoft in 2008 to focus on his foundation.

Bill’s passion for philanthropy was similar to while building Microsoft. He wanted to use his resources and knowledge to change the world for a better place.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation helps with various global issues. They fight diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS to improve health. They work to reduce poverty and make education better, especially in low-income areas.

They also focus on nutrition, ensuring everyone has enough food, and promoting clean water and sanitation. Plus, they empower women and girls. Their goal is to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation helped develop and distribute vaccines to ensure that low- and middle-income countries could access them fairly through programs like COVAX.

This change in him from tech innovator to global philanthropist teaches us an important lesson: success isn’t just about what you achieve for yourself; it’s also about what you give back to others.

What’s the essence of Microsoft’s story? It’s about Bill Gates, who had a vision for the future and worked hard to achieve it. He understood the importance of leadership and gradually passed the reins to a new generation.

After Gates stepped down, Steve Ballmer became CEO and led the group until 2014, when Satya Nadella took over. This transition allowed Microsoft to keep growing and adapting.