Microsoft Software

Microsoft Licensing

Microsoft offers multiple licensing models for its software products to meet the needs of its target groups. Below are the most common licensing models:

1. Retail licenses (Full Packaged Product (FPP))
2. OEM license (Original Equipment Manufacturer)
3. Volume Licensing
   1. Open License
   2.  Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Perpetual Licenses
   3. OpenValue
   4. Enterprise Agreement (EA)
   5. Select License
   6. Microsoft Products and Services Agreements (MPSA)
4. Software Assurance (SA)
5. Cloud-based subscriptions
6. Free licenses
7. Educational licensing
8. Government licensing
9. Not-for-profit Licensing
10. Client Access Licenses
11. Server licensing
    1. Per Core Licensing
    2. Server + CAL licensing

Microsoft software list

Below is an overview of all Microsoft software:

Microsoft Operating Systems

Microsoft has released many operating systems since its founding. Below is a list of all released Microsoft operating systems:

1. MS DOS (1981)
2. Windows 1.0 (1985)
3. Windows 2.0 (1987)
4. Windows 3.0 (1990)
5. Windows 3.1 (1992)
6. Windows 95 (1995)
7. Windows 98 (1998)
8. Windows Me (Windows Millennium Edition) (2000)
9. Windows 2000 (2000)
10. Windows XP (2001)
11. Windows Vista (2007)
12. Windows 7 (2009)
13. Windows 8 (2012)
14. Windows 8.1 (2013)
15. Windows 10 (2015)
16. Windows 11 (2021)

Microsoft Productivity Apps

1. Microsoft Word (1983) - Word processing software.
2. Microsoft Excel (1985) - Spreadsheet software.
3. Microsoft PowerPoint (1987) - Presentation software.
4. Microsoft Access (1992) - Database management software.
5. Microsoft Outlook (1992) - Email and personal information manager.
6. Microsoft FrontPage (1996) - Web design and development software (discontinued).
7. Microsoft Project (1984, Windows version released in 1990) - Project management software.
8. Microsoft Visio (1992, Windows version released in 2000) - Diagramming and vector graphics application.
9. Microsoft Publisher (1991) - Desktop publishing software.
10. Microsoft OneNote (2003) - Note-taking software.
11. Microsoft InfoPath (2003, part of Microsoft Office, discontinued) - Form creation and data-gathering software.
12. Microsoft Groove (2007, later renamed SharePoint Workspace, discontinued) - Collaboration software.
13. Microsoft SharePoint Designer (2007, discontinued) - Web design and customization tool for SharePoint.
14. Microsoft Lync (2010, later renamed Skype for Business, now integrated with Microsoft Teams) - Instant messaging and communication software.
15. Microsoft Sway (2015) - Digital storytelling app for creating interactive presentations and reports.
16. Microsoft Teams (2017) - Collaboration and communication platform.
17. Microsoft Lists (2020) - List and task management application integrated with Microsoft 365.
18. Microsoft Viva (2021) - Employee experience platform with various modules, including Viva Connections, Viva Insights, Viva Learning, and Viva Topics.

Microsoft Productivity Suites

1. Microsoft Office for Macintosh (1989) - The first version of Microsoft Office for Mac.
2. Microsoft Office 3.0 (1992) - The first version of Microsoft Office for Windows.
3. Microsoft Office 4.0 (1993)
4. Microsoft Office 95 (Office 7.0) (1995) - Also known as "Office 7.0," this version introduced the iconic Office Assistant, Clippy.
5. Microsoft Office 97 (Office 8.0) (1996)
6. Microsoft Office 2000 (Office 9.0) (1999)
7. Microsoft Office XP (Office 10) (2001) - This version introduced features like smart tags.
8. Microsoft Office 2003 (Office 11) (2003)
9. Microsoft Office 2007 (Office 12) (2007) - Introduced the Ribbon interface.
10. Microsoft Office 2010 (Office 14) (2010)
11. Microsoft Office 2013 (Office 15) (2013)
12. Microsoft Office 2016 (Office 16) (2015) - Introduced real-time collaboration features.
13. Microsoft Office 2019 (2018) - The standalone version without a subscription model, often called "Office 2019."
14. Microsoft Office 2021 (2021) - A standalone, perpetual-license version of Office for those who prefer not to use a subscription-based service.
15. Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) (2011) - A cloud-based subscription service that includes the latest Office applications and cloud services like OneDrive and Teams.

Microsoft Server software

Microsoft has several server product lines. Below is an overview of all server software from Microsoft. For more information about different editions and versions of the server software, please click on the relevant server software.

Microsoft Windows Server

1. Windows NT 3.1 Server (1993)
2. Windows NT 3.5 Server (1994)
3. Windows NT 3.51 Server (1995)
4. Windows NT 4.0 Server (1996)
5. Windows 2000 Server (2000)
6. Windows Server 2003 (2003)
7. Windows Server 2003 R2 (2005)
8. Windows Server 2008 (2008)
9. Windows Server 2008 R2 (2009)
10. Windows Server 2012 (2012)
11. Windows Server 2012 R2 (2013)
12. Windows Server 2016 (2016)
13. Windows Server 2019 (2018)
14. Windows Server 2022 (2021 )

Microsoft SQL Server

1. SQL Server 1.0 (1989)
2. SQL Server 1.1 (1991)
3. SQL Server 4.2 (1993)
4. SQL Server 6.0 (1995)
5. SQL Server 6.5 (1996)
6. SQL Server 7.0 (1998)
7. SQL Server 2000 (2000)
8. SQL Server 2005 (2005)
9. SQL Server 2008 (2008)
10. SQL Server 2008 R2 (2010)
11. SQL Server 2012 (2012)
12. SQL Server 2014 (2014)
13. SQL Server 2016 (2016)
14. SQL Server 2017 (2017)
15. SQL Server 2019 (2019)
16. SQL Server 2022 (2022)

Microsoft Exchange Server

1. Exchange Server 4.0 (1996)
2. Exchange Server 5.0 (1997)
3. Exchange Server 5.5 (1998)
4. Exchange 2000 Server (2000)
5. Exchange Server 2003 (2003)
6. Exchange Server 2007 (2007)
7. Exchange Server 2010 (2010)
8. Exchange Server 2013 (2012)
9. Exchange Server 2016 (2015)
10. Exchange Server 2019 (2018)

Microsoft SharePoint Server

1. SharePoint Portal Server 2001 (also known as SharePoint Team Services) (2001)
2. SharePoint Portal Server 2003 (2003)
3. Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (MOSS 2007) (2007)
4. Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 (2010)
5. Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 (2013)
6. Microsoft SharePoint Server 2016 (2016)
7. Microsoft SharePoint Server 2019 (2019)

Microsoft Windows components

1. Windows Explorer: The Windows file management system that allows users to explore and manage files and folders.
2. Start Menu: The menu used to access programs and features on Windows.
3. Taskbar: The bar at the bottom of the screen that contains shortcuts to frequently used programs and system tray icons.
4. System Administration (Control Panel): The control panel that allows users to adjust settings and options for their system.
5. Windows Defender: The built-in antivirus and antimalware software for Windows.
6. Windows Update: The mechanism to install and manage operating system updates and patches.
7. Windows Registry: A central database that stores configuration settings and options for the operating system and installed software.
8. Windows Firewall: A built-in firewall to protect the system against unauthorized access and malicious software.
9. Windows Defender Firewall: The security component that controls traffic to and from the system.
10. Windows Explorer (File Explorer): The file management application for browsing and managing files, folders and devices.
11. Windows Media Player: A media player for playing audio and video files.
12. Windows Photo Viewer: A program for viewing and editing images.
13. Windows Notepad (Notepad): A simple text editor.
14. Windows Paint: A simple graphic editor for drawings and images.
15. Windows Calculator (Calculator): A calculator program with several modes including Standard, Scientific, and Programmer.
16. Windows Task Manager: A utility for viewing and managing running processes and system performance.
17. Windows PowerShell: A powerful command-line shell and scripting language.
18. Windows PowerShell ISE (Integrated Scripting Environment): An integrated development environment for PowerShell scripts.
19. Windows Task Scheduler: A tool to schedule and run automated tasks.
20. Windows Remote Desktop: A feature that allows users to control a computer remotely.
21. Windows Update for Business: A set of management tools for managing Windows updates in business environments.
22. Windows BitLocker: A feature for encrypting hard drives and data for security.
23. Windows Defender SmartScreen: A feature for blocking malicious downloads and websites.
24. Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL): A compatibility layer for running Linux software on Windows.
25. Windows Ink: A suite of digital pen and touch capabilities for touchscreens and stylus devices.
26. Windows Hello: A biometric authentication feature for logging in with facial recognition or fingerprints.
27. Windows Store: A digital distribution platform for downloading and installing apps and games.
28. Windows Cortana: A digital assistant for task automation and information retrieval.
29. Windows Defender Antivirus: A built-in antivirus solution.
30. Windows Virtual Desktop: A solution for hosting virtual desktops in the cloud.

Microsoft acquisitions

Microsoft has acquired several companies over the years. Below are the most important companies acquired by Microsoft:

1. ForeThought
2. LinkedIn
3. GitHub
4. Mojang
5. Skype
6. Nokia (Device and Services division)
7. ZeniMax Media (Owner of Bethesda game studios)
8. aQuantive
9. Xamarin
10. Skype Technologies
11. Bungie
12. Visio
13. Hotmail
14. Nuance communications
15. Activision Blizzard