celebration Archives

Winsage

April 8, 2025

Microsoft fires engineers who protested during company’s 50th anniversary celebration

Two Microsoft software engineers, Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal, were terminated after protesting the company's involvement with the Israeli military's use of its AI products during the company's 50th anniversary celebration. Aboussad was dismissed for "just cause, willful misconduct, disobedience or willful neglect of duty" after interrupting a speech by CEO Mustafa Suleyman, accusing Microsoft of complicity in violence and highlighting the human cost of its actions. Agrawal, who had intended to resign, also faced termination for expressing similar concerns during CEO Satya Nadella's speech. Microsoft responded by emphasizing its commitment to high business standards and the importance of addressing concerns through appropriate channels.

Winsage

April 8, 2025

Xbox gamers surprised with major free download to celebrate Microsoft 50th anniversary

Microsoft is celebrating its 50th anniversary by offering a free 50th anniversary theme for Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X players, which was made available on April 4, 2025. The theme features iconic gaming characters like Master Chief, Marcus Fenix, and Vault Boy. It is integrated into all Xbox owners' profiles and can be activated through the settings menu. Additionally, Microsoft is providing free Gamerpics, including Clippy, and has updated Microsoft Solitaire with the anniversary theme in its card designs.

Winsage

April 6, 2025

Celebrating 30 Years Of Windows 95 At VCF

The 30th anniversary of Windows 95 will be celebrated with an exhibit at VCF East 2025 on April 5, 2025, in Wall, NJ, featuring nine period-correct computers configured to run various versions of the operating system. The exhibit is curated by Commodore Z and Ms-Dos5, who faced challenges in networking the machines, including a notable incident with a Thinkpad 760e. It will showcase classic software programs such as Kidpix, MS Paint, Lego Island, LucasArts Full Throttle, Duke Nukem 3D, Word 97, and Space Cadet Pinball, along with original software boxes from the 90s. The exhibit includes all major versions of Windows 95, from the Chicago beta 73g to Windows 95 C / OSR2.5.

Winsage

April 5, 2025

Satya Nadella shares when 3 Microsoft CEOs walk into a room on Microsoft’s 50th anniversary and get interviewed – The Times of India

Microsoft celebrated its 50th anniversary with a conversation featuring current CEO Satya Nadella and former CEOs Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, hosted by the AI assistant Copilot. The dialogue included humorous exchanges, with Copilot playfully engaging each CEO. Nadella discussed his relationship with AI, suggesting it could run the show when it can play cricket at a high level. Gates joked about his intense thinking face, and Copilot acknowledged the importance of criticism for growth. Nadella expressed gratitude towards his predecessors for their leadership and contributions to Microsoft.

Winsage

April 5, 2025

Microsoft, Redmond celebrates 50 years of change: From small startup to AI trailblazer

Lisa Dupar owns a restaurant and catering business in Redmond, which she started four decades ago. Initially hesitant about opening in what seemed a remote area, her business thrived after she began delivering food to Microsoft, which was then a startup. Microsoft recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with an event attended by around 1,000 employees, including its three CEOs: Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, and Satya Nadella. The company has invested a billion dollars to enhance its AI infrastructure and develop new products like “Copilot.” Microsoft is also facing challenges with new tax proposals in Washington state. Redmond Mayor Angela Birney highlighted Microsoft's positive impact on the community, including infrastructure investments. Gates and Paul Allen moved the company from Albuquerque to Redmond in 1979 to attract talent. Dupar employs 250 people and has catered events for high-profile executives, crediting Microsoft for her business's longevity.

Winsage

April 5, 2025

As Microsoft Turns 50, Bill Gates Gives A Rewind Of His Early Days

Bill Gates shared rare throwback photographs on Instagram to commemorate Microsoft's 50th anniversary, reflecting on his early days with the company. Gates humorously described the images as part of his "awkward photo shoots" era and expressed gratitude towards Microsoft. He co-founded Microsoft in 1975 with Paul Allen after dropping out of Harvard. Gates led the company through significant developments, including the creation of the MS-DOS operating system and Windows. He stepped down as CEO in 2000 and left Microsoft's board in 2020. Microsoft has become one of the leading tech giants, celebrating its history and future aspirations on its website.

Winsage

April 5, 2025

Celebrating Microsoft’s 50 years – The Official Microsoft Blog

Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, spoke at the company's 50th anniversary, reflecting on its founding by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. He emphasized Microsoft's commitment to empowering individuals through technology, highlighting the importance of the past while focusing on future innovations, particularly in AI. Nadella introduced advancements in Microsoft’s development tools, such as Agent Mode in Visual Studio Code and the Code Review Agent, which enhance the developer experience. He reiterated Microsoft's mission to empower every person and organization, stating that tools like Copilot are designed for a wide range of users. Nadella expressed gratitude to all contributors to Microsoft's success and excitement for future innovations.

Winsage

April 4, 2025

Microsoft Wants Consumers to Make Friends With its Copilot AI ‘Companion’

During a presentation at Microsoft’s headquarters, CEO of Microsoft AI, Mustafa Suleyman, was interrupted by a protestor criticizing Microsoft for providing AI tools to military forces in Gaza. The protestor accused Microsoft of contributing to the deaths of 50,000 people and urged Suleyman to stop using AI for genocide. Suleyman acknowledged her protest and continued with his presentation about Microsoft's AI companion software, Copilot, which aims to redefine user-technology relationships. Copilot features include memory and personalization, actions for task execution, camera integration, organization tools, personalized podcast generation, shopping assistance, and deep research capabilities. Suleyman emphasized that Copilot is designed around individual needs and values, ensuring user control over data and interactions.

Winsage

April 4, 2025

Microsoft, turning 50, dials up Copilot actions to stay in AI game

Thousands gathered at Microsoft’s Redmond headquarters for a demonstration of a new Excel feature that allows users to sum numbers with a click. The event celebrated Microsoft’s 50th anniversary and highlighted the AI assistant Copilot, which will receive new features for personalization, including remembering personal details, offering reminders, and task delegation. Microsoft is leveraging its technical groundwork to enhance its AI solutions, despite past challenges such as a 1998 antitrust lawsuit and competition from companies like Alphabet and OpenAI. CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the importance of innovation and collaboration for the future. The consumer version of Copilot is designed to have a “warm” personality, though it has been noted to be overly inquisitive at times.

Winsage

April 4, 2025

Watch: As Microsoft Turns 50, Bill Gates, Satya Nadella And Steve Ballmer ‘Roasted’ By Copilot AI

Microsoft's 50th anniversary featured co-founder Bill Gates, former CEO Steve Ballmer, and current CEO Satya Nadella, with an interview conducted by the AI assistant Copilot. The event included humorous exchanges where Copilot roasted the CEOs, prompting lighthearted responses from them. Microsoft also launched new website pages to document its history and vision for the future, reflecting on its growth and innovations since its founding in 1975.