Is (or was) any part of Windows actually written by Bill Gates?

Question

Is (or was) any part of Windows actually written by Bill Gates?

Answer 1

I believe that he wrote most of the code for the first version of Windows, some years before version 3.1.  I've even seen it running, it wasn't too bad for the period but compared even to 3.1 it was very primitive.  Some of the ubiquitous tools were already recognisable, though, such as the calculator.

I think he also contributed code to 3.1, although I may be wrong.  After that I believe he took more of a directorial position, making apparently great demands of his coders.

I wish to take this opportunity to point out that Microsoft has many brilliant, talented coders.  Unfortunately its management hasn't been particularly good and has instructed them to focus on the superficial rather than the important things.

Answer 2

No.  Microsoft started out writing operating systems for the Altair.  Their first big product, MS-DOS, was actually written by Gary Kildall.  Microsoft purchased it, made a few changes, and marketed it as MS-DOS.  Windows was written by a team of programmers, but BG has always been more of the business manager role.

http://inventors.about.com/library/weekl...

Answer 3

Good question.  He is actually retired now so he probably doesnt write much of the code now.  I would assume that he wrote most if not all of the code in the beginning days of windows.  Probably over the years he probably directed the direction of windows rather than physically writing the code.

P.S. Bill Gates started Microsoft, he didn't inherit it from his father.

Answer 4

Definitely not, he just inherited Microsoft of his Father.