10 Companies that Changed the World

10. Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational corporation 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 Suite, and Internet Explorer web browser. Its flagship hardware products are the Xbox game console and the Microsoft Surface tablet lineup. It is the world’s largest software maker and one of the world’s most valuable companies.

Microsoft changed the world through the development of the personal computer operating systems, office software, internet search, video game industry, the digital service market, smartphones, and tablets. Windows 95, which was released in August 1995, revolutionized the computer industry through pre-emptive multitasking, a completely new user interface, and 32-bit compatibility.

Thanks to the genius of Bill Gates and the Microsoft employees, the company redefined and expanded computer networking and the world wide web. As a founding member of the Open Networking Foundation, Microsoft is focused on providing support for a new cloud computing initiative called Software-Defined Networking. The initiative is meant to speed innovation through simple software changes in telecommunications networks, wireless networks, data centers, and other networking areas.