Microsoft Corporation is a leading technology company founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. It is best known for its software products, including the popular operating system Windows and the productivity suite Microsoft Office. The company also develops hardware, such as the Surface line of tablets and laptops, and offers cloud services through Microsoft Azure. In addition to software and hardware, Microsoft has expanded into gaming with its Xbox consoles and related services. The company is headquartered in Redmond, Washington, and has a significant global presence, employing thousands of people and serving millions of customers worldwide.