Bill Gates reflects on the computer code that founded Microsoft

In April 2025, Microsoft is celebrating its 50th anniversary as a leading technology company. Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, the company began with the development of software for the Altair 8800, inspired by an article in Popular Electronics. Gates, a Harvard freshman at the time, lacked a prototype of the Altair but promised a software solution, which led to the creation of BASIC code compatible with the new minicomputer. This initial success paved the way for the development of an extensive suite of widely used software, including the Windows operating system. Throughout its journey, Microsoft has seen significant peaks and valleys. It reached dominating positions in the personal computer market with MS-DOS and Windows, but faced challenges with products like Microsoft Bob and Windows Vista. The company's strategy concerning mobile devices notably failed, ceding the smartphone market to competitors. However, Microsoft has excelled in enterprise productivity software, rivaling efforts from Google. Microsoft has made significant strides in recent years, especially under the leadership of CEO Satya Nadella. Following the initial stagnation after Gates departed, the company has regained its footing, achieving a market valuation of approximately $2.8 trillion while diversifying its investments, notably in cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Reflecting on his past, Gates recently expressed nostalgia for the early days of Microsoft, highlighting the importance of that original code he developed. He acknowledges both the triumphs and the missteps of the company through the decades as it shapes modern computing. Despite its struggles in some areas, Microsoft remains a dominant force in technology, continuing to adapt and innovate to meet the needs of users worldwide.