It’s truly an honor to be here with all of you, celebrating a remarkable milestone—50 years of Microsoft. And what an extraordinary time it is to reflect on our journey, our impact, and the road ahead.

For me, this moment begins with the visionaries who laid the foundation: Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer—both of whom are here with us today—and the late Paul Allen. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for the indelible mark you've left on this company and on the world.

Thank you, Bill, Steve, and Paul, for your bold vision, your unwavering leadership, and your relentless passion. You built more than a company—you created a platform that empowered millions and transformed how we live, work, and connect. Because of your efforts, Microsoft has become not just a technology leader, but a catalyst for global change.

As someone who has had the privilege of being part of this incredible journey, I am inspired every day by the legacy you've created and the future we continue to shape together.

Here’s to the next 50 years of innovation, impact, and empowerment.

Fifty years ago, Bill and Paul started Microsoft with a simple but powerful idea: to build technology so people everywhere could build more technology. The very first product Microsoft built was the Basic interpreter for the Altair, giving people the power to create software, jumpstarting the PC revolution, and creating an entirely new sector for our economy.

In 1975, childhood friends Bill Gates and Paul Allen dared to dream bigger than what reality dictated at the time—giving people everywhere a whole new way to live, work, and play. And while times have changed, and technology has changed, our dream remains the same: empowering every person on the planet to achieve more. To celebrate these last 50 years, we’re looking back at some iconic moments from our history, sharing some stories, and celebrating all the amazing things you’ve done with Microsoft tech. Because change needs makers!

"Growing up in a household where only Spanish was spoken, I know how critical the right tools are, like translation features in Teams. For me, it’s about making sure no opportunity is ever lost in translation."

So, I thought to myself, what if I could take that power and rebuild Microsoft’s very first product? And so, I tried it.

At the heart of it all is Microsoft’s enduring mission: to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. I’ve always seen Microsoft as a platform- and partner-first company—and that identity has only been possible because of the incredible people behind it. Our customers, partners, and developers, along with the 1.6 million employees—past and present—have all brought their passion and purpose to help drive us forward. It’s because of you that we've come this far, and it’s you who will continue to shape Microsoft’s impact on the world for decades to come.

Celebrating Microsoft’s 50 years

Bill and Paul

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Microsoft celebrates 50 years: A Legacy of Innovation and Impact

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