From 1995 to 2006: Internet and legal problems

In the mid-90, Microsoft will start a new expansion to the networks and the World Wide Web. On 24 August 1995, launched its main online service, MSN (Microsoft Service Network), with the intention of competing directly with AOL (America Online). MSN became the trademark of Microsoft’s online services. The company continued its expansion into other markets. Already in 1996, working with NBC to create a new cable television station offering news and available at any time. MSNBC. In November of that year, Microsoft entered the market for PDAs in November Windows CE 1.0, a new version made from scratch in his famous Windows system, specifically designed for systems with low memory and performance, like small computers and handheld computers. Later, in 1997, Internet Explorer 4.0 was released for Mac OS and Windows, marking the beginning of the end of its competitor, Netscape Navigator. In October, the Department of Justice of the United States file a motion to Federal Court by showing that he violated an agreement signed in 1994, and demanded to stop the sale of Internet Explorer with Windows as it forced the manufacturers.
1998 was an important year for Microsoft, Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer appoint chairman, however, Gates remained as president of the Board of Directors of the company. Windows 98 went on sale, the new version of Windows era an update of Windows 95 incorporating new features that focus on Internet and that was compatible with new types of devices. One year after the appearance of Windows 98, Microsoft launches 5 May 1999 Windows 98 SE, this new system was not an update of Windows 98, but a new product. This new version corrects errors in previous versions giving greater stability, expanding its compatibility with peripherals, and Windows NT and allowed the opportunity to share an Internet connection through the network. Also noteworthy was the inclusion of Internet Explorer 5, a new version of the browser. By court order, Microsoft was forced to sell a version in some parts of this operating system to give option to uninstall Internet Explorer. This was not allowed in the previous version of Windows.
In 1999, Microsoft will pay 5,000 million dollars to the telecommunications company ATandT Corp to use its operating system Windows CE devices designed to offer consumers integrated cable television, telephone and fast access to the Internet.
Different versions of Windows over time.
On February 17, 2000, was Windows 2000 Among its innovations, is the Active Directory, enabling organizations to work globally, with all its machines. the incorporation Manager devices, Windows Media Player and increased compatibility of the games under Windows NT. However, this system was designed for professional use and was not a widespread use in homes and in business.
On April 3, justice ruled in the case of the United States against Microsoft accusing the company of practicing an “abusive monopoly” and forcing it to divide its products in 2 separate units. This ruling was a turnaround in The Federal Court of Appeal, and was resolved by the Justice Department in 2001.
Windows ME (Windows Millennium Edition) is available to the public on September 14 of that year. Windows ME would be the replacement for Windows 98, its main news was the inclusion of the System Restore option, which allows the return configuration of the computer to a previous state as well as improvements to the Internet. The system was not successful.
That same year, Bill Gates, in order to focus on developing new products and technologies, resigned as CEO of the company being replaced by Steve Ballmer Ballmer.
On October 25 2001, Microsoft releases Windows XP. The firstversion of Windows that combines features of both its online for home computers for business. XP, short for “experience” introduces a new graphical user interface, the first change in the interface since 1995. Windows XP, however, was criticized by the number of security flaws that were and had found a lower compatibility with some devices and programs.
Later, with the launch of Xbox on November 8 of that year, Microsoft entered the video market, a market dominated by Nintendo and Sony.
The new Microsoft business solution was presented on April 24, 2003. Aimed at businesses, Windows Server 2003 was a 139 faster than its predecessor, Windows Server 2000 and a 200 compared to Windows NT 4.0. 76
The company ran into more legal problems in March 2004 when it launched legal action against Microsoft by the European Union for abusing dominant market after trial, Microsoft was forced to sell new versions of its Windows XP system.


Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server: Building Knowledge Sharing Applications by Kevin Laahs, Emer McKenna, and Don Vickers (Kindle Edition – Dec 20, 2001)Kindle Book