The “war” between Bill Gates (founder of Microsoft) and Steve Jobs (co-founder of Apple) wasn’t a physical war but a long and competitive rivalry in the tech industry, especially between the 1980s and early 2000s. It shaped the future of personal computing.SummaryEarly PartnershipIn the late 1970s and early 1980s, Microsoft and Apple actually worked together. Microsoft created software for the Apple II and early Macintosh computers. However, their relationship began to change when Microsoft launched Windows.Conflict BeginsIn 1985, Microsoft introduced Windows 1.0, a graphical interface similar to Apple's Macintosh. Steve Jobs accused Bill Gates of copying Apple's graphical user interface (GUI). Gates responded by saying that they both "stole" the idea from Xerox PARC, which originally developed the GUI concept.The 1990s BattleDuring the 1990s, Microsoft dominated the tech industry with Windows, while Apple struggled with sales and management. Gates became the richest man in the world, and Jobs was even removed from Apple in 1985. However, Apple’s story wasn’t over.Steve Jobs’ ComebackIn 1997, Jobs returned to Apple. Ironically, it was Microsoft that helped Apple survive by investing $150 million into the company. Even though they were rivals, Gates saw the value in keeping Apple alive to avoid a monopoly claim.The iRevolutionWith the launch of the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, Apple bounced back and eventually surpassed Microsoft in innovation and branding. The rivalry shifted as Jobs focused on devices, and Gates focused more on software and later philanthropy.Mutual Respect in the EndDespite their intense competition, the two men later expressed admiration for each other. When Steve Jobs passed away in 2011, Bill Gates wrote a heartfelt tribute, acknowledging Jobs as someone who had a profound impact on technology and the world.