1995–2005: Internet and the 32-bit era

        On May 26, 1995 Microsoft began to redefine its offerings and expand its product line into computer networking and the World Wide Web. 

        The company released Windows 95 on August 24, 1995, featuring pre-emptive multitasking, a completely new user interface with a novel start button, and 32-bit compatibility; similar to NT, it provided the Win32 API.

        Windows 95 came bundled with the online service MSN, and for OEMs Internet Explorer, a web browser.

        Windows 95 came bundled with the online service MSN, and for OEMs Internet Explorer, a web browser. Internet Explorer was not bundled with the retail Windows 95 boxes because the boxes were printed before the team finished the web browser, and instead was included in the Windows 95 Plus! pack.

        On October 25, 2001 Microsoft released Windows XP, unifying the mainstream and NT lines under the NT codebase.The company released the Xbox later that year, entering the game console market dominated by Sony and Nintendo