Microsoft is an American company known worldwide for its computer software and hardware. It was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The success story of Microsoft began in the 1980s with the introduction of MS-DOS, an operating system for IBM-compatible PCs. The company gained its dominant market position through contracts with IBM and the acquisition of MS-DOS rights from Seattle Computer Products. Microsoft expanded its product range and introduced new operating systems, becoming a global leader in the PC software market. Microsoft's business model focuses on providing software, services, and hardware. The company specializes in three main areas: productivity and business processes, intelligent cloud computing, and personal computers and devices. The productivity and business processes area includes products like Microsoft Office and Dynamics 365. Microsoft Azure and Power BI are part of the intelligent cloud computing area, while personal computers and devices include devices like Xbox and the Surface product line. Microsoft has also positioned itself in other areas, such as Windows phones, Cortana (Microsoft's digital assistant), and Skype (communication service). The company completed a merger with LinkedIn, the world's largest professional network, to expand its position in the productivity software area. In summary, Microsoft is an American company known worldwide for its computer software and hardware. It focuses on three main areas: productivity and business processes, intelligent cloud computing, and personal computers and devices. Microsoft gained worldwide fame through its operating systems like MS-DOS and has since become a market leader in the software industry.