MicrosoftThe software giant behind Windows, Office, Azure, and Xbox — founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. began as a language vendor for hobbyist microcomputers, then became the dominant PCPersonal computer — a computer designed for individual use, especially desktop or laptop machines. software company — DOSDisk Operating System — an OS centered on disk storage; often refers to MS-DOS on PCs., Windows, Office, and later AzureMicrosoft's cloud platform — virtual machines, storage, databases, and managed application services. and GitHubA platform for Git hosting, pull requests, and CI — the center of open-source collaboration.. Gates and Allen's Altair BASICBeginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code — an early programming language designed for ease of learning. deal set the template for commercial software on personal hardware.

MicrosoftThe software giant behind Windows, Office, Azure, and Xbox — founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. became the defining software company of the PCPersonal computer — a computer designed for individual use, especially desktop or laptop machines. era.

It proved microcomputerA small computer built around a microprocessor — the category that became personal computers. software could be a standalone industry.