Microsoft’s top 7 products of all time that shaped the company

What began as a vision of two young college dropouts, Bill Gates and Paul Allen, has grown into one of the most powerful technology companies in history.

From its early days, Microsoft has transformed personal computing, revolutionised productivity, and shaped the way billions of people interact with technology.

Over the decades, the company has launched countless products. Here are Microsoft’s seven most influential products of all time.

Windows 95

Windows 95 redefined the PC experience with its Start menu, taskbar, and desktop icons.

Released at the height of the dot-com boom, it brought internet access to millions of households and bundled Internet Explorer, making it one of Microsoft’s most important launches ever.

Microsoft Azure

As cloud computing became essential, Microsoft positioned itself at the forefront with Azure. 

Now used by 95% of Fortune 500 companies, it offers everything from virtual machines to advanced AI services.

Azure has not only become central to Microsoft’s future but also a backbone of digital transformation worldwide.

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint remain unmatched productivity tools decades after their introduction.

The release of Office 95 bundled them together, creating a suite that became indispensable for professionals and students alike.

Internet Explorer

First released in 1995, Internet Explorer helped popularise the internet for millions of early users. 

Although its dominance eventually waned after Google’s entry, it shaped the browser wars of the late 1990s and became a key gateway to the World Wide Web (WWW).

Xbox 360

Launched in 2005, the Xbox 360 revolutionised console gaming with its online multiplayer features and iconic titles like Halo and Gears of War.

Selling over 75 million units, it turned Xbox into a global entertainment brand.

Windows XP

Known for its reliability and user-friendly design, Windows XP became one of Microsoft’s longest-running operating systems.

Its iconic green hill wallpaper symbolised stability, and it remained a favourite long after newer versions were released.

Skype

First launched in 2003, Skype quickly became the go-to platform for video calls, instant messaging, and file sharing.

For over two decades, Skype played a pioneering role in internet-based communication.

However, in May 2025, Microsoft officially retired Skype after 23 years, marking the end of an era for one of the most recognisable names in digital communication.