False Claim Alleges Microsoft Was Named After Michael Rosoft

A widespread claim states that Microsoft was named after its CEO, Michael Rosoft. This claim has been widely shared on social media platforms, garnering numerous shares, comments, and user reactions. However, our investigation confirms that the claim is false.

SOCIAL MEDIA CLAIM

A widely shared claim on social media asserts that Michael Rosoft was Microsoft’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and that the company was named after him. 

The claim has garnered significant attention from social media users, many of whom have shared comments suggesting they believe the information to be true. 

Below is a screenshot of a Facebook post dated March 6, 2025, featuring the captioned image: “Michael Rosoft, CEO of Microsoft.”

Facebook Post | Archived Link

The claim has also been shared on various social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), as well as Instagram and Threads, both of which are owned by Meta. 

Below is a screenshot of an Instagram post from over a month ago, featuring the captioned image: “Michael Rosoft – CEO of Microsoft”

Instagram Post | Archived Link

Below is a screenshot from a Threads post on March 7, 2025, featuring a captured image: “Michael Rosoft – CEO of Microsoft.”

Threads Post | Archived Link

Below is a screenshot of an X tweet on March 6, 2025, featuring a captured image of “Michael Rosoft – CEO of Microsoft.”

X Tweet | Archived Link

FACT CHECK

Fact Crescendo investigated and verified the claims mentioned above by conducting a Google Reverse Image Search and keyword search, which yielded the following findings.

By utilizing Google Reverse Image Search, we identified the individual in the image referenced in the claim as Satya Nadella, the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Born in 1967, this Indian-born American business executive has held the position of CEO at Microsoft since 2014, succeeding Steve Ballmer. In 2021, he assumed the role of Chairman of the corporation, taking over from John W. Thompson.

The image below, sourced from Getty Images, features Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, during his participation at the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, in 2018.

GettyImages | Archived Link

Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, served as its CEO from the company’s inception until 2000, when he was succeeded by Steve Ballmer. Ballmer held the position for 14 years before retiring, after which Satya Nadella took over as CEO, a role he continues to hold to this day.

Who is Michael Rosoft?

The claim above attempts to suggest that Michael Rosoft was the first CEO of the corporation, which was purportedly named after him.

A keyword search revealed that the corporation was involved in a legal dispute in 2004 with a Canadian high school student named Mike Rowe over a domain name. The 17-year-old had registered the domain ‘MikeRoweSoft.com,’ which Microsoft contested, arguing that its phonetic similarity to the corporation’s name could cause confusion. Read the full article here

The legal battle received widespread coverage from international media outlets after Mike Rowe sought public support for his case.

The case concluded when Mike Rowe, a part-time website design student, settled with the corporation by transferring ownership of the domain name. In return, he received an Xbox along with various products and services from Microsoft. Read the full article here

Microsoft

Microsoft was co-founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and his childhood friend Paul Allen. The company’s name, as explained in its corporate history, is a combination of ‘microcomputer’ and ‘software,’ reflecting its focus during the early days of the personal computing revolution.

Archived Link

CONCLUSION

Fact Crescendo has determined that the above claim is false. The current CEO of Microsoft is Satya Nadella, who has held the position since 2014, succeeding Steve Ballmer. The name “Microsoft” is derived from a combination of “microcomputer” and “software,” with no historical connection to any individual named Michael Rosoft.