Microsoft turns 50: Bill Gates gives nostalgic tribute with rare gems from his 'awkward photo shoots'
Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. What began as a small venture grew into one of history's most influential tech giants.
Half a century ago, on April 4, 1975, two friends, Bill Gates and Paul Allen, started a small venture that marked the start of a tech revolution. It's Microsoft. As the company turns 50, Bill Gates, who also served as its CEO until 2000, shared a special tribute. He posted a series of rare throwback pictures, which he reminded are from his "awkward photo shoots" days.

The billionaire shared a video that opens to show him sitting on a couch, capturing a selfie. It also has a text insert that reads, "Unfortunately, I'll never feel cool again because this was me in the early Microsoft days."
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The video then shows different versions of younger Gates, including some in which he is seen sporting the hot fashion trends of the time.
"Happy 50th birthday, @microsoft. Thanks for the memories—and awkward photo shoots," Gates wrote in his sweet message for the company.
Take a look at the video here:
Bill Gates feels bittersweet:
On his personal blog, Gates Notes, the tech mogul wrote, "Although I am excited to celebrate the anniversary, reaching this milestone feels bittersweet. I always love reflecting back on Microsoft's history and dreaming about its future. But it's also hard to believe that such a significant piece of my life has been around for a half-century!"
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Walk down memory lane:
In a post shared a week before Microsoft's 50th anniversary, co-founder Bill Gates recalled his college residence at Harvard University and his dreams. "Living in Currier House in college was the best experience. You could have a hamburger at every meal, play poker whenever you wanted, and even start a little side project you end up naming Microsoft," he wrote while sharing a video of the property.
ABOUT THE AUTHORTrisha SenguptaTrisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More

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