18 Surprising Facts About Microsoft

Today, everyone who owns or has ever used a computer is familiar with Microsoft. In fact, many students and workers around the world can no longer imagine life without the products of this technology company.

However, despite being a company that everyone knows and that has made such a difference in education, the workplace and home computing, there are still many things people do not know about Microsoft.

Here are 18 surprising facts about Microsoft:

1. Bill Gates had no creative name for Windows

Bill Gates wanted to call the operating system "Interface Manager", and for a while this was the official name. But the marketing department suggested that "Windows" would sound much better — and he agreed.

2. Gates and Allen had already founded a company

Before founding Microsoft, Gates and Allen had already demonstrated their entrepreneurial skills by founding another company. They designed a computer system to process traffic count data automatically, turning raw data from traffic counters into reports for traffic engineers. They developed it while both were students at a high school in Seattle. The company was called Traf-O-Data.

3. Microsoft employees have a very sweet tradition

There is an interesting tradition among Microsoft employees. On their work anniversary, they are expected to bring sweets to share with colleagues — specifically M&Ms. The amount depends on how long they have worked at the company: traditionally, one pound of sweets for every year of employment.

4. Bill Gates appeared in motivational videos

To motivate employees, Bill Gates made motivational videos designed to get staff excited about working for the company and to keep them focused on its goals. Gates himself appeared in many of them, as did former CEO Steve Ballmer. The videos were usually humorous — Gates did not mind making a fool of himself.

5. Microsoft helped Apple avoid bankruptcy

Although Apple is one of the most successful companies in the world today and a direct competitor of Microsoft, it ran into financial difficulties in 1997 and was on the verge of bankruptcy. Microsoft invested $150 million in its rival. Steve Jobs had the awkward task of announcing this investment during his first appearance as CEO of Apple, and the news was met with boos from the audience. That investment gave Apple the boost it needed to become the success it is today.

6. Microsoft invented the Xbox

While most people know Microsoft developed Windows, not everyone knows the company also created the Xbox game console. The name "Xbox" is short for "DirectX Box" — DirectX is the software used in Microsoft Windows to deliver high-performance graphics in games.

7. Microsoft has 35 cafeterias

Google is known for being generous with free food for employees. Microsoft may not match that level, but the company has 35 cafeterias feeding more than 37,000 people every day. Of all the meals served, pizza is the most popular choice.

8. Brian Eno composed the Windows start-up sound

Anyone who uses Windows will recognise the start-up tune that plays when the computer is switched on. Although it has only a few notes, it was composed by the influential musician Brian Eno, who has also worked with artists like U2 and David Bowie.

9. Microsoft uses code names for projects

When Microsoft works on new projects, the company often uses code names — partly for secrecy, and often because they have not yet settled on an official name. Examples over the years include "Vienna", "Lone Star" and "Longhorn".

10. Employees are called "Softies"

All Microsoft employees share the nickname "Softie". The company has more than 88,000 employees across its various facilities worldwide.

11. Microsoft has a vast art collection

Microsoft is known for the clipart in its applications, but the company is also one of the largest collectors of corporate art in the world. Its premises house a collection of more than 5,000 works of contemporary art.

12. The Windows XP wallpaper is probably the most viewed photo ever

The default wallpaper for Windows XP — titled "Bliss" — may be the most viewed photograph in history. It shows a grassy hill under a blue sky, taken in Sonoma County, California. Photographer Charles O'Rear captured the image in 1996, and Microsoft purchased the rights to it.

13. You cannot create a folder called CON in Windows

Windows operating systems are full of quirks. One oddity is the fact that you simply cannot create a folder called "CON". Try it and you will see that it is impossible.

When you try to create a folder called CON, Windows returns an error. This is because CON is a reserved device name dating back to the earliest versions of DOS.

14. Microsoft invented tablets, not Apple

Although Apple popularised tablets with the iPad in 2010, the format was actually invented by Microsoft. Bill Gates presented a prototype tablet PC running Windows XP in 2001, but the market was not yet ready.

15. The first smartwatch was also made by Microsoft

Microsoft was a pioneer in many areas, but several of its innovative products simply came to market too early. The company was ahead of its time, and the market was often not ready for these products.

16. Windows had its first virus in 1992

Windows was virus-free for almost a decade until someone developed the first Windows virus. It was called WinVer 1.4.

17. Microsoft does not sell software — it sells licences

When you buy a Windows disc, you do not actually own the software on it. Instead, you own a usage licence, and Microsoft can withdraw that licence at any time. Microsoft has never sold software directly — only software licences. You can buy a perpetual licence to use Windows or Microsoft Office, but you never own the software itself. Browse our range of Microsoft Office licences or pick up Office 2019 Professional Plus for a one-time purchase.

18. Type "=rand(200,99)" into Word and press Enter

A fun curiosity in Microsoft Word: type the combination above (without quotation marks) and press Enter to generate a large block of sample text. It is a handy way to test formatting and layouts. For more on essential software, see our list of the top 5 most popular computer programmes.

We hope you found these facts interesting. Want to learn more about Microsoft products? Discover the differences between Windows Server and Windows 10.

If you have any questions, our team is always happy to help.