Steve Ballmer

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer believes Yahoo has not improved its competitiveness in the year since it proposed a merger and now believes the only alternative is to combine the companies in a deal worth $45 billion.

Microsoft Corp. made a move on Friday to bolster its Web operations against Internet search leader Google by making an unsolicited offer for Internet portal and search engine Yahoo, Inc. worth $31 per share, or $44.6 billion.

In its second executive shuffle of the year, Microsoft Corp. announced on Thursday that the head of the unit which produces its valued Office software suite, plans to retire in September to be replaced by Stephen Elop, the former chief operating officer at Juniper Networks.

Microsoft Inc announced the launch of its beta Office Live Workspace on Monday, marking its debut onto the already bustling arena of web-based programs.

Microsoft Corp Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said on Monday his firm's acquisition of a 1.6 percent stake in socializing Web site Facebook for $240 million was an important investment, not a mistake.

More than a year ago, Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Steve Ballmer stood in front a group of skeptical Wall Street analysts and insisted that the software maker was still a growth company.

Microsoft Corp. introduced software on Monday to manage advanced mobile phones much like personal computers, taking aim at a business dominated by Research in Motion's BlackBerry.

Microsoft Corp ended three years of resistance on Monday and finally agreed to comply with a landmark 2004 antitrust decision by the European Commission.

The top executives of Cisco Systems Inc. and Microsoft Corp. said on Monday that they would ensure their products work together, seeking to prevent customers from putting off buying decisions.

Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Steve Ballmer defended the software company's expansion beyond its Windows and office software businesses, saying Web services and consumer devices are key to the company's future.

Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Steve Ballmer on Friday said a complaint lodged by Google Inc. was 'baseless' as the software company was complying with a 2002 antitrust settlement.

Shares of software giant Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) fell on Friday after Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, said analysts' revenue predictions for Windows Vista were a 'little overly optimistic.'

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Nortel Networks Corp. announced that their alliance is expanding to include new communications products for 2007.

Microsoft, the world's largest software vendor, said on Friday that its Windows vista operating system is on track for general release in January, confirming analyst speculation that the software would not incur delays.

Microsoft is set to transition one of its largest business software suites away from traditional hosting methods to the online arena, pitting its latest offering against entrenched competitors which include Oracle, SAP AG, along with burgeoning Salesforce.com.

Under pressure from Microsoft Corp. investors to return a portion of the company's $35 billion cash reserve and revive a flagging share price, Chief Executive Steve Ballmer on Wednesday defended the company's first-class problem of having too much cash.

Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said Thursday he has a five-year target to gain a bigger slice of the lucrative online advertising market dominated by Google Inc. and Yahoo Inc.

The online search industry has proven to be a fierce battlefield since it emerged in the mid 90’s. At the time, many companies ventured into the field hoping to capitalize on the fledgling industry. However 10 years later, a burst tech bubble has filtered out the also-rans, leaving behind three major contenders with one announcing its new proposal for a better search solution for advertisers and web surfers.