Microsoft Corporation is a global technology company founded in 1975. It develops and sells operating systems, productivity software, cloud-computing services, artificial-intelligence tools, business applications, developer tools, devices, gaming products, advertising, and professional-networking services. Windows is one Microsoft product—not the company itself.
Microsoft’s best-known brands include Windows, Microsoft 365, Office, Azure, Copilot, Teams, Xbox, LinkedIn, GitHub, Dynamics 365, Surface, SQL Server, and Visual Studio. Its stated mission is “to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.” Microsoft annual report
What does “Microsoft” mean?
“Microsoft” can mean two related things:
- Microsoft Corporation: the publicly traded technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington.
- The Microsoft ecosystem: a connected collection of software, cloud services, accounts, devices, platforms, and brands carrying the Microsoft name or owned by Microsoft.
The company was founded in 1975. Microsoft’s fiscal year ends June 30, so references to a fiscal year—such as fiscal 2026—do not describe the January-through-December calendar year. As of August 18, 2026, its latest annual-report filing covered the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026 and was filed July 29, 2026. Company filing · Latest 10-K filing
What does Microsoft do?
Microsoft began as a software company, but its current business is much broader. It builds and operates:
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11#1 Best Overall
- Brilliant Display – Stunning 13.8" PixelSense touchscreen[1], with brilliant LCD display[2], unleashes luminous whites, deeper blacks and colors so richly saturated bringing vivid life into every frame – perfect for work, school, streaming and creative tasks.
- Power that lasts all day – With 20 hours of battery life[3], the new Surface Laptop powers through your entire day, so you can create, work and stream from morning to night without reaching for a charger.
- Work at the speed of your ideas – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) processors, Surface Laptop delivers fast, AI‑accelerated performance—making it the most powerful Surface laptop for everything from multitasking to demanding workloads.
- The ports you need – Charge on-the-go, transfer data fast, or create the ultimate desktop set up with two USB-C / USB4[4] ports.
- Built-in AI Companion – Work smarter, create freely, and communicate with confidence—Copilot[5] on Windows 11 is always there to help.
- Operating systems and personal-computing software
- Cloud infrastructure and online services
- Artificial-intelligence tools and development platforms
- Productivity, collaboration, security, and business applications
- Developer tools, code-hosting services, and databases
- Laptops, tablets, consoles, and accessories
- Video games, subscriptions, and gaming services
- Search and professional-network advertising
- Professional networking, recruiting, and learning services
That mix is why describing Microsoft simply as “a software company” is incomplete. Its reporting groups the business into productivity and business processes, intelligent cloud, and more personal computing, with cloud, AI, gaming, LinkedIn, Windows and devices, and enterprise and consumer services spread across those activities. Microsoft investor annual-report materials
Microsoft’s main products and brands
Windows and personal computing
- Windows: the desktop and laptop operating-system family.
- Windows Server: a server operating system used by organizations.
- Microsoft Edge: a web browser.
- Bing: search and online-information services.
- Microsoft Store: a digital storefront for apps, games, and media.
- Surface: Microsoft-branded laptops, tablets, and accessories.
Windows and Devices are reported within Microsoft’s personal-computing business. Annual-report materials
Microsoft 365, Office, and collaboration
- Microsoft 365: a subscription ecosystem that can combine Office applications, OneDrive storage, Teams, Outlook, security features, and AI capabilities, depending on the plan.
- Office: the familiar family of applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, also used for traditional perpetual-license products.
- Teams: chat, meetings, calling, collaboration, and workflow tools.
- OneDrive: cloud file storage and synchronization.
- SharePoint: collaboration, intranet, and document-management software.
- Outlook: email, calendar, contacts, and productivity software.
- OneNote: digital note-taking software.
Microsoft 365 is not another name for Windows. It is a broader, plan-dependent subscription service, and “Office” and “Microsoft 365” are not perfectly interchangeable. Consumer, business, education, and enterprise editions contain different applications, storage, administration, security, and AI features. Consumer plan details · Business and enterprise plan details
Azure cloud computing and AI
Azure is Microsoft’s cloud-computing platform rather than one application. It offers computing, virtual machines, storage, databases, networking, analytics, security, application hosting, and AI services. Customers generally pay for resources they consume, with service-specific rates and optional commitments or reservations.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Cloud services can be understood in three layers:
- Software as a service (SaaS): finished applications such as Microsoft 365.
- Platform as a service (PaaS): managed tools for building and deploying applications.
- Infrastructure as a service (IaaS): virtual machines, storage, networking, and related computing infrastructure.
Azure OpenAI Service provides Azure-hosted access to OpenAI models and related enterprise capabilities, subject to current terms and availability. Microsoft Copilot is a family of AI assistants and features across consumer, commercial, developer, security, and productivity products. Copilot Studio helps organizations build and manage AI agents and copilots. Product names, requirements, models, and availability can change by plan, country, language, and rollout stage. Azure overview
Rank #2
- With 16 GB of memory, runs as many programs as you want without losing the execution
- The 13.5" 2256 x 1504 screen provides a great movie watching experience
- 512 GB SSD is enough to store your essential documents and files, favorite songs, movies and pictures
- 8 Hours battery run time helps you stay unwired and work longer non-stop
Business applications and security
- Dynamics 365: customer relationship management, finance, supply chain, sales, customer service, and enterprise-resource-planning applications.
- Power Platform: low-code and no-code tools including Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power Pages.
- Microsoft Security: identity, endpoint, cloud, compliance, and threat-protection products.
- Microsoft Entra: identity and access-management services.
- Intune: cloud-based device and application management.
Developer tools and databases
- GitHub: code hosting, source-control collaboration, automation, and software-development workflows.
- Visual Studio: a full integrated development environment.
- Visual Studio Code: a lightweight source-code editor.
- .NET: a developer platform and runtime ecosystem.
- SQL Server: database-management software.
- Windows Server: a server platform for organizations and developers.
Microsoft’s reporting places GitHub, Azure, SQL Server, Windows Server, Visual Studio, and related offerings within its server and cloud businesses. Investor annual-report materials
Gaming and entertainment
- Xbox consoles and accessories
- Xbox Game Pass subscriptions
- Xbox Cloud Gaming
- Xbox Game Studios
- Activision Blizzard titles and studios
- PC gaming through Windows and related services
Microsoft’s gaming business combines hardware, first-party and third-party content, subscriptions, and services. Company filing
LinkedIn and advertising
LinkedIn is Microsoft-owned but operates as a distinct professional-networking platform. It earns money from recruiting, advertising, learning, sales tools, and premium subscriptions. It is not simply another Microsoft collaboration app like Teams or SharePoint.
Microsoft, Windows, Office, Microsoft 365, Azure, and Copilot compared
| Term | What it is |
|---|---|
| Microsoft | The technology company and its wider product ecosystem |
| Windows | An operating system |
| Microsoft Office | A family of productivity applications and, in common usage, traditional perpetual-license products |
| Microsoft 365 | A subscription combining applications and online services; contents depend on the plan |
| Azure | A cloud-computing platform |
| Copilot | A family of AI assistants and AI features integrated into multiple products |
| Xbox | Microsoft’s gaming hardware, software, content, and services business |
| Microsoft-owned professional-networking platform | |
| GitHub | Microsoft-owned developer platform |
Who uses Microsoft products?
- Individuals: Windows, Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, OneDrive, Surface, Xbox, and Copilot users.
- Small and medium-sized businesses: Microsoft 365, Teams, Azure, Dynamics, identity, and security tools.
- Large enterprises: Azure, Microsoft 365 Enterprise, Entra, Intune, compliance, data, AI, and business applications.
- Developers and IT professionals: GitHub, Visual Studio, .NET, Azure, SQL Server, Windows Server, and Microsoft Learn.
- Schools and universities: Windows, Microsoft 365 Education, Teams for Education, Azure, and classroom tools.
- Advertisers and recruiters: Bing, Microsoft Advertising, LinkedIn advertising, and LinkedIn Talent Solutions.
How Microsoft makes money
Microsoft uses several revenue models rather than relying on Windows alone:
- Recurring subscriptions for Microsoft 365, Xbox Game Pass, LinkedIn Premium, and other services
- Azure consumption charges and contracted cloud commitments
- Commercial software licenses, enterprise agreements, and support
- Dynamics 365 and Power Platform subscriptions
- Windows licensing for device manufacturers and commercial customers
- Sales of Surface devices, Xbox consoles, accessories, and other hardware
- Gaming content, subscriptions, marketplace transactions, and in-game purchases
- Search and professional-network advertising
- Consulting and other enterprise services
Microsoft describes revenue from cloud solutions, software licensing and support, advertising, devices, gaming, and other services in its filings. Microsoft filing
Rank #3
- A PREMIUM PERFORMANCE LAPTOP — Ready for work, school, and creativity. Built for busy days, big projects, and nonstop multitasking. Run video calls, school and work apps, 20+ browser tabs, and AI tools at the same time without slowing down.
- WITH AI BUILT IN — With a dedicated AI chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite), this Copilot+ PC[5] on Windows 11 helps you work smarter and faster. Prompt, create, and automate with ease - ready for even your most demanding tasks.
- A 13.8" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
- 20 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 20 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
- THE PORTS YOU NEED — Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.
Is Microsoft free?
Some Microsoft products are free, while others require a subscription, license, hardware purchase, or usage-based payment.
Free or partly free examples
- Web versions of some Microsoft 365 applications
- Outlook.com email
- OneDrive accounts with limited storage
- Microsoft Teams free offerings where available
- Bing and Edge
- Free Copilot access, subject to product, account, country, and usage limits
- Selected developer free tiers and trials
Paid examples
- Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, and Premium
- Business and enterprise Microsoft 365 plans
- Azure usage
- Copilot Pro and other paid Copilot plans
- Commercial Windows editions and licenses
- Xbox hardware and subscriptions
- Surface hardware
- Dynamics 365 and Power Platform plans
“Free” does not necessarily mean unlimited, ad-free, permanent, or identical across countries and editions. A Microsoft account also does not automatically include a paid Microsoft 365 license.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsMicrosoft consumer prices and plan cautions
The following are United States price signals checked in August 2026. Taxes, promotions, renewal terms, availability, and plan contents can change.
| Product | Price signal | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Personal | $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year | One person needing desktop Office apps, storage, Outlook, and related services |
| Microsoft 365 Family | $12.99 per month or $129.99 per year | Households sharing eligible services and storage |
| Microsoft 365 Premium | $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year | Individuals seeking broader consumer Microsoft 365 and AI features |
| Copilot Pro | $20 per user per month on Microsoft’s Store page | Individuals seeking paid Copilot access and enhanced AI features |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot Business | $18 per user per month paid yearly was shown as a promotional price, with $21 as the original starting price | Business AI features for organizations with a qualifying Microsoft 365 plan |
Individual plan pricing · Copilot Pro Store page · Business pricing
A subscription is a poor fit if you need only occasional web editing or a one-time Office license. Copilot plans should be checked carefully because Copilot Pro and Microsoft 365 subscriptions can be separate, while Microsoft 365 Copilot Business requires a qualifying underlying plan.
Rank #4
- A PREMIUM PERFORMANCE LAPTOP — Ready for work, school, and creativity. Built for busy days, big projects, and nonstop multitasking. Run video calls, school and work apps, 20+ browser tabs, and AI tools at the same time without slowing down.
- WITH AI BUILT IN — With a dedicated AI chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite), this Copilot+ PC[5] on Windows 11 helps you work smarter and faster. Prompt, create, and automate with ease - ready for even your most demanding tasks.
- A 15" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
- 19 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 19 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
- Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports and a microSD card reader for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.
Does Microsoft own other companies and brands?
Major properties relevant to ordinary users include LinkedIn, GitHub, Activision Blizzard and related gaming assets, Bethesda/ZeniMax gaming assets, and Nuance Communications. Some entries are acquired companies or assets; others are brands, products, or operating units rather than separate subsidiaries. Microsoft has a significant partnership and commercial relationship with OpenAI, but that is not the same as owning OpenAI.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
When is Microsoft a good fit?
- You already use Windows and want integrated documents, email, meetings, storage, and identity.
- Your business needs one broad vendor for productivity, security, compliance, cloud, and administration.
- You need strong compatibility with Office file formats.
- You develop software across GitHub, Visual Studio, .NET, Azure, or Microsoft enterprise systems.
- You value Xbox, PC gaming, Game Pass, and Microsoft’s first-party studios.
- You need enterprise support or global cloud infrastructure.
Trade-offs to consider before buying
- Licensing complexity: Microsoft 365, Windows, Azure, Dynamics, Power Platform, and Copilot have different prerequisites and editions.
- Subscription dependence: Many current features require recurring payments rather than one-time purchases.
- Cloud dependence: Online services need internet access and can face outages, limits, or regional restrictions.
- Vendor lock-in: Deep integration may make migration technically difficult or expensive.
- Privacy and compliance: Organizations must review data residency, retention, telemetry, identity, AI-data handling, and regulatory terms.
- Azure cost uncertainty: Consumption billing requires budgets, monitoring, quotas, and governance.
- Changing names and features: Microsoft frequently changes product names, bundles, interfaces, and rollout policies.
Common mistakes
- Buying Microsoft 365 when a one-time Office license or free web apps would suffice
- Assuming Microsoft 365 includes every Microsoft product
- Confusing OneDrive cloud storage with local Windows storage
- Treating Copilot as one identical product everywhere
- Starting Azure resources without spending alerts and monitoring
- Assuming Game Pass includes every game permanently or on every device
- Buying business Copilot without the required qualifying Microsoft 365 license
Alternatives by use case
Microsoft is an ecosystem, so no single alternative replaces every product. Depending on the need, readers might compare Google Workspace or Apple productivity tools; Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud for cloud workloads; GitLab or Bitbucket for code hosting; JetBrains products for development; Salesforce, SAP, Oracle, HubSpot, or ServiceNow for business applications; and Sony PlayStation or Nintendo for console gaming. Compare the actual workload, compatibility, administration, data controls, support, and total cost rather than assuming one provider is universally cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft the same as Windows?
No. Microsoft is the company and ecosystem; Windows is its operating system.
Is Microsoft 365 the same as Office?
No. Microsoft 365 is a subscription that can include Office applications plus online services. Office can also refer to traditional applications or perpetual-license editions.
Is Azure free?
Azure has selected free services and trials, but most production use is metered. Costs depend on the services, region, usage, commitments, and support selected.
Recommended Free Tools
Best Value
- Brilliant Display – Stunning 13.8" PixelSense touchscreen[1], with brilliant LCD display[2], unleashes luminous whites, deeper blacks and colors so richly saturated bringing vivid life into every frame – perfect for work, school, streaming and creative tasks.
- Power that lasts all day – With 20 hours of battery life[3], the new Surface Laptop powers through your entire day, so you can create, work and stream from morning to night without reaching for a charger.
- Work at the speed of your ideas – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) processors, Surface Laptop delivers fast, AI‑accelerated performance—making it the most powerful Surface laptop for everything from multitasking to demanding workloads.
- The ports you need – Charge on-the-go, transfer data fast, or create the ultimate desktop set up with two USB-C / USB4[4] ports.
- Built-in AI Companion – Work smarter, create freely, and communicate with confidence—Copilot[5] on Windows 11 is always there to help.
Is Copilot included with Microsoft 365?
It depends on the exact consumer, business, education, or enterprise plan. Copilot features and eligibility are not identical across Microsoft products.
Does Microsoft own Xbox?
Yes. Xbox is Microsoft’s gaming hardware, software, content, and services business.
Does Microsoft own LinkedIn?
Yes. LinkedIn is a Microsoft-owned professional-networking platform that operates as a distinct service.
Can Microsoft products run on Apple devices?
Many can. Microsoft offers applications and services for macOS, iPhone, iPad, and the web, but features and licensing can differ from Windows versions.
What is a Microsoft account?
It is an identity used to sign in to Microsoft consumer services and devices. Having an account does not by itself prove that you have a paid subscription.
The Bottom Line
Microsoft is best understood as a diversified technology ecosystem—not simply Windows or Office. Its products span subscriptions, cloud usage, enterprise software, AI, gaming, advertising, hardware, and professional networking, so the right choice depends on the specific task, plan, region, and budget.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
