Bill Gates played a pivotal role in the founding of Microsoft, which revolutionized the personal computing industry. Together with Paul Allen, Gates created Microsoft to develop software solutions, starting with the BASIC programming language for early computers. Gates' vision for a computer on every desk and in every home drove the company's growth, leading to the creation of Windows, which became the dominant operating system. His innovative approach to software business models, marketing, and technology transformed the tech landscape, establishing him as one of the most influential figures in modern computing history.