The divorce between Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates was finalized. Financial details of the divorce remain confidential.

Bill and Melinda Gates announced their decision to divorce after more than 27 years of marriage. This announcement sent shockwaves throughout the business and philanthropic worlds, raising questions about the future of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Bill Gates stepped down as chairman of Microsoft, transitioning to the role of technology advisor. John W. Thompson replaced Gates as chairman of the board.

Bill Gates married Melinda French on the 12th hole of the Manele Golf Course on the Hawaiian Island of Lānaʻi. This event marked the beginning of a partnership that would not only define their personal lives but also shape their philanthropic endeavors through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Microsoft launched its first retail version of Microsoft Windows. This marked a critical moment in the evolution of personal computing, as it introduced a graphical user interface (GUI) to challenge Apple's Macintosh GUI.

Microsoft underwent a company restructuring, re-incorporating in Washington state. Bill Gates became the president and chairman of the board, while Paul Allen assumed the role of vice president and vice chairman, formalizing their leadership roles within the rapidly growing company.

Microsoft officially moved its headquarters from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Bellevue, Washington, marking a significant step in the company's growth and establishing its presence in the Seattle metropolitan area.