Microsoft: Satya Nadella's Big First Year as CEO
How Microsoft's third CEO is charting a new course for the tech giant.
— -- Today marks the anniversary of Satya Nadella's promotion to CEO of Microsoft -- and it's clear what a difference a year can make.
Under Nadella's leadership, Microsoft's stock has jumped 14 percent, they've brought their suite of Office apps to iOS and Android, and perhaps most telling of all, developers and users seem genuinely excited about Windows 10.
"I think he brought a new level of excitement and hope for the future of Microsoft and he clearly showed that innovation is important," Patrick Moorhead, an analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, told ABC News.
Of Microsoft's achievements in the past year, here's a look at some of the moments that stood out -- and show how Nadella, as Microsoft's third CEO, is making his mark on the company.
Windows 10
Windows 10, the operating system update that is so radical it prompted Microsoft to skip straight from Windows 8, has generated excitement among developers and consumers.
Coming sometime later this year, the update will be free for users who have Windows 8.1, Windows 7 and Windows Phone 8.1, with the exception of enterprise users.
The update includes features that focus on productivity, including multiple desktops and Microsoft's virtual assistant Cortana built into the new software.
Project Spartan
For those who have a love-hate relationship with Internet Explorer, the news of a new Microsoft browser called Project Spartan, was welcomed at Microsoft's Windows 10 event last month.
Project Spartan comes with some exciting features, including the ability to write anywhere on a window and quickly share it.
Microsoft executives said it will not be in the first build of Windows 10, so don't think of it as an Internet Explorer killer just yet.
Microsoft for All Devices
Instead of making rivals in the tech world, Nadella ushered in a new era of synergy with the goal of bringing Microsoft to all devices.
Microsoft brought its Office suite to iOS and Android devices free of charge last year. They quickly shot to the top of the charts in Google Play and Apple's app store and have been downloaded more than 80 million times.
After acquiring smart email app Accompli in December, Microsoft integrated it into its newly released Outlook for iOS app. It will also be in a forthcoming Android release.
HoloLens
A first-of-its-kind product, Microsoft's HoloLens aims to take virtual eyewear to the next level using holograms.
While it's unclear when HoloLens will be released, there was plenty to geek out over from Microsoft's demo. Imagine holographic Skype calls, turning your living room into a surreal gaming environment or designing a new product virtually.
It hasn't been entirely smooth sailing for Nadella though. He was blasted for comments he made in October that women shouldn't ask for a raise and instead trust the "system" to pay them appropriately. After the outcry on social media, he quickly issued a clarification that his comments were "inarticulate."
While Microsoft has plenty to be proud of this year, Moorhead said the biggest disappointment was not seeing "at least a strategy of how they were going to compete in phones."
"They haven't laid out what a Windows phone can do that other phones can't in a world where people are deciding between Android and Apple," Moorhead said.
Steve Ballmer's Life After Stepping Down as CEO
Conversely, Steve Ballmer's first year away from Microsoft hasn't been a quiet one. The billionaire bought the LA Clippers, boogied to Fergie and even got a new title: Professor.
Ballmer, known for his hard-charging demeanor, couldn't be more different than the poetry-reading, speak softly and carry a big stick personality of Nadella. In case further proof is needed, we'll leave you with this.
Related Stories
ABC News Live