I realized about 10 years ago that my wealth has to go back to society. A fortune, the size of which is hard to imagine, is best not passed on to one's children. It's not constructive for them.

Microsoft is a company that manages imagination.

The first five years have so much to do with how the next 80 turn out.

China and the U.S. need each other very badly. Yes, we should argue about some things, but it's not an 'us versus them,' it's an 'us and them' type scenario.

OK, I have a nickname. My family calls me 'Trey' because I'm William the third. My dad has the same name, which is always confusing because my dad is well known, and I'm also known.

There is a difference between what technology enables and what historical business practices enable.

Legacy is a stupid thing! I don't want a legacy.