Timeline
With almost 50 years in the tech industry and 40 in the UK, we've continuously focussed on helping everyone achieve more. Explore a timeline of our journey.
1975
APR 4, 1975 Microsoft founded
1980
1981
AUG 12, 1981 IBM introduces its personal computer with Microsoft's 16-bit operating system MS-DOS 1.0
1982
1982 Microsoft UK launches
1985
1985 First version of Windows announced
1987
1989
1989 First version of Office announced
1995
AUG 24, 1995 Launches Windows 95
DEC 7, 1995 Bill Gates outlines Microsoft's commitment to supporting and enhancing the internet
2000
JAN 13, 2000 Steve Ballmer named president and CEO for Microsoft
2001
OCT 25, 2001 Launches Windows XP
NOV 15, 2001 Xbox launched - Discover the history of Xbox
2002
JAN 15, 2002 Bill Gates outlines Microsoft's commitment to trustworthy computing
2009
MAY 28, 2009 Microsoft unveils Bing
OCT 22, 2009 Launches Windows 7
2011
JUN 28, 2011 Office 365 launches
2012
JUN 18, 2012 Surface devices launched
JUN 30, 2012 Michel Van der Bel becomes Microsoft UK CEO
OCT 26, 2012 Windows 8 launched
2014
FEB 4, 2014 Satya Nadella becomes Microsoft CEO - Read Satya's bio and latest news
2015
JAN 21, 2015 HoloLens, the world's first holographic headset is announced
JUL 29, 2015 Windows 10 launched
2016
JUN 30, 2016 Cindy Rose becomes Microsoft UK CEO
SEP 29, 2016 Microsoft Research AI launched
2017
JUL, 2017 AI for Good announced to help empower those working to solve humanitarian issues - Discover how
2018
MAY 16, 2018 Microsoft unveils Xbox Adaptive Controller
JUN 1, 2018 Underwater data centre deployed
2019
JUL 11, 2019 London flagship store opens
2020
JAN 16, 2020 Microsoft announces goal to be net zero by 2030
APR 15, 2020 Microsoft announces plan to help protect biodiversity of the world's ecosystems
APR 4, 2020 Microsoft's 45th anniversary
JUL 2020 Microsoft helps British manufacturers unite to build ventilators for the NHS in just 12 weeks
NOV 10, 2020 Launches Xbox Series X
OCT 1, 2020 Clare Barclay announced as Microsoft UK CEO
OCT 13, 2020 Microsoft launches 5-year campaign to help 1.5 million people build tech careers in the UK - Read about Get On
2021
JUL 14, 2021 Microsoft unveils Windows 365
OCT 5, 2021 Windows 11 launches
OCT 11, 2021 First digital billboards to feature BSL in the UK to showcase our commitment to accessibility
NOV 2021 Microsoft is the primary partner at COP26
NOV 18, 2021 The Duke of Cambridge visits Microsoft's UK headquarters to hear about Project SEEKR
2022
JAN 17, 2022 Hector Minto, Lead Evangelist for Accessibility at Microsoft UK announced as Government Disability and Access Ambassador for Tech and Web
JAN 2022 Microsoft unveils accelerator for startups that use technology to help the planet
FEB 2022 Chancellor Rishi Sunak visits Microsoft's UK HQ and highlights impact of apprentices on economy
MAR 2022 Microsoft appoints Musidora Jorgensen to UK leadership team
JUN 2022 Launch of Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability
SEP 2022 Campaign to raise awareness of how technology can help with Dyslexia
DEC 2022 Announced 10-year strategic partnership with the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG)
2023
JUN 2023 A new five-year deal delivers Microsoft 365 productivity tools to NHS England
OCT 2023 Microsoft expands its UK skilling programme to equip 1 million people for the AI-based economy
