The founder of Microsoft is Bill Gates, who co-founded the technology company with Paul Allen in 1975. Gates played a pivotal role in revolutionizing personal computing by developing software, most notably the Windows operating system, which became one of the world’s most widely used operating systems. Under Gates' leadership, Microsoft grew rapidly, becoming a dominant force in the technology industry. Aside from his business achievements, Gates is known for his philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which focuses on various issues like global health, education, and poverty alleviation, significantly impacting society.