Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Microsoft announced an investment valued at about $135 billion, representing roughly 27% of OpenAI on an as-converted diluted basis, after OpenAI’s October 2025 recapitalization. OpenAI also contracted to buy an additional $250 billion in Azure services. That commitment is for cloud services, not equity or a cash payment. The 27% figure is not a verified current ownership percentage: Microsoft later said its proportionate ownership decreased during FY2026, without stating the updated percentage in the filing excerpt reviewed.

Why did Microsoft get a 27% stake in OpenAI?

The figure was part of a revised partnership announced after OpenAI’s October 2025 recapitalization. Microsoft described its investment in OpenAI Group PBC as worth approximately $135 billion and equal to roughly 27% on an as-converted diluted basis. That calculation included all owners, including employees, investors, and the OpenAI Foundation. The announcement described the investment after the recapitalization; it should not be read as a newly disclosed current stake. Microsoft’s October 28, 2025 announcement explains the agreement.

The same agreement changed Microsoft’s role in supplying compute. Microsoft gave up its right of first refusal to be OpenAI’s compute provider, while OpenAI committed to purchase an additional $250 billion in Azure services. Those are separate parts of the deal: one concerns ownership, the other a contracted cloud-services purchase.

What does OpenAI’s $250 billion Azure commitment mean?

It is a commitment by OpenAI to purchase Azure services, not a $250 billion equity investment by Microsoft, nor a statement that Microsoft transferred that amount in cash to OpenAI. Microsoft announced the incremental commitment in October 2025. The announcement does not make the full amount equivalent to immediate revenue or specify a payment schedule in the material cited here. Microsoft’s announcement describes the Azure commitment and the change to its compute-provider right.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Microsoft Surface Laptop (2026), 13.8-inch Premium Performance Laptop, Snapdragon X2 Elite Processor, Touchscreen Display, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage, Windows 11 Copilot+ PC Built for AI, Platinum
  • Brilliant Display – Stunning 13.8" PixelSense touchscreen[1], with brilliant LCD display[2], unleashes luminous whites, deeper blacks and colors so richly saturated bringing vivid life into every frame – perfect for work, school, streaming and creative tasks.
  • Power that lasts all day – With 20 hours of battery life[3], the new Surface Laptop powers through your entire day, so you can create, work and stream from morning to night without reaching for a charger.​
  • Work at the speed of your ideas – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) processors, Surface Laptop delivers fast, AI‑accelerated performance—making it the most powerful Surface laptop for everything from multitasking to demanding workloads.
  • The ports you need – Charge on-the-go, transfer data fast, or create the ultimate desktop set up with two USB-C / USB4[4] ports.
  • Built-in AI Companion – Work smarter, create freely, and communicate with confidence—Copilot[5] on Windows 11 is always there to help.​

Does Microsoft still own 27% of OpenAI?

There is no exact current percentage established in the available disclosures summarized here. In its FY2026 Form 10-K, Microsoft said its proportionate ownership decreased during the fiscal year as a result of the recapitalization and other funding activity. The reviewed filing excerpt does not state the resulting exact percentage. Therefore, 27% is best described as the approximate post-recapitalization figure Microsoft announced in October 2025, not as a confirmed current stake. Microsoft’s FY2026 Form 10-K filing record at the SEC is the relevant later disclosure.

How did the partnership change between October 2025 and April 2026?

Term October 2025 agreement April 2026 amendment
Ownership Microsoft reported roughly 27% on an as-converted diluted basis after the recapitalization, valued at about $135 billion. Microsoft, October 2025. The amendment did not establish a new exact ownership percentage. Microsoft later reported a decrease in its proportionate ownership during FY2026. Microsoft FY2026 reporting.
Cloud provider and distribution OpenAI committed to purchase an additional $250 billion in Azure services, and Microsoft gave up its right of first refusal over OpenAI’s compute provider. Microsoft, October 2025. Microsoft remained OpenAI’s primary cloud partner. OpenAI products would ship first on Azure, subject to a capability exception, while OpenAI could serve products to customers across cloud providers. OpenAI and Microsoft, April 27, 2026.
IP license Microsoft described its license as exclusive in the companies’ February 2026 statement. Joint statement, February 27, 2026. Microsoft’s IP license became non-exclusive through 2032. Amended agreement, April 27, 2026.
Revenue share The February 2026 statement said then-current partnership terms remained unchanged. Joint statement, February 27, 2026. Microsoft stopped paying revenue share to OpenAI. OpenAI’s payments to Microsoft continue through 2030, subject to a total cap. Amended agreement, April 27, 2026.

The February 27, 2026 joint statement is an interim snapshot, not the latest set of terms: the April amendment superseded it on matters the companies changed. The amendment altered partnership rights but did not itself disclose a replacement ownership percentage.

Rank #2
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13.5" Touchscreen Notebook - 2256 x 1504 - Intel Core i7 12th Gen i7-1265U - Intel Evo Platform - 16 GB Total RAM - 512 GB SSD (Platinum) (Renewed)
  • With 16 GB of memory, runs as many programs as you want without losing the execution
  • The 13.5" 2256 x 1504 screen provides a great movie watching experience
  • 512 GB SSD is enough to store your essential documents and files, favorite songs, movies and pictures
  • 8 Hours battery run time helps you stay unwired and work longer non-stop

Can OpenAI use cloud providers other than Azure?

Yes. Under the April 2026 amendment, Microsoft remained OpenAI’s primary cloud partner and OpenAI products would ship first on Azure, subject to a capability exception. At the same time, OpenAI could serve products to customers across any cloud provider. Azure-first shipping therefore does not mean Azure is the only cloud on which OpenAI can serve products. The companies’ April 27, 2026 amendment announcement states the updated arrangement.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What do Microsoft’s FY2026 cloud figures say?

On its FY2026 Q4 earnings call, Microsoft said full-year Microsoft Cloud revenue exceeded $214 billion, with nearly 90% coming from customers outside frontier model companies. These are Microsoft’s cloud-revenue figures, not OpenAI revenue. Microsoft also reported commercial-bookings growth of 10% and 11% in constant currency, including OpenAI Azure commitments. Microsoft’s FY2026 Q4 earnings materials provide the company’s figures and context.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Sale
Microsoft Surface Laptop (2026), 13.8-inch Premium Performance Laptop, Snapdragon X2 Elite Processor, Touchscreen Display, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage, Windows 11 Copilot+ PC Built for AI, Black
  • A PREMIUM PERFORMANCE LAPTOP — Ready for work, school, and creativity. Built for busy days, big projects, and nonstop multitasking. Run video calls, school and work apps, 20+ browser tabs, and AI tools at the same time without slowing down.
  • WITH AI BUILT IN — With a dedicated AI chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite), this Copilot+ PC[5] on Windows 11 helps you work smarter and faster. Prompt, create, and automate with ease - ready for even your most demanding tasks.
  • A 13.8" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
  • 20 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 20 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
  • THE PORTS YOU NEED — Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said on the call: “At the end of the day, every firm is going to evaluate who are the providers who are helping them with their outcomes and their knowledge creation.”

Best Value
Sale
Microsoft Surface Laptop (2026), 13.8-inch Premium Performance Laptop, Snapdragon X2 Elite Processor, Touchscreen Display, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage, Windows 11 Copilot+ PC Built for AI, Dune
  • Brilliant Display – Stunning 13.8" PixelSense touchscreen[1], with brilliant LCD display[2], unleashes luminous whites, deeper blacks and colors so richly saturated bringing vivid life into every frame – perfect for work, school, streaming and creative tasks.
  • Power that lasts all day – With 20 hours of battery life[3], the new Surface Laptop powers through your entire day, so you can create, work and stream from morning to night without reaching for a charger.​
  • Work at the speed of your ideas – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) processors, Surface Laptop delivers fast, AI‑accelerated performance—making it the most powerful Surface laptop for everything from multitasking to demanding workloads.
  • The ports you need – Charge on-the-go, transfer data fast, or create the ultimate desktop set up with two USB-C / USB4[4] ports.
  • Built-in AI Companion – Work smarter, create freely, and communicate with confidence—Copilot[5] on Windows 11 is always there to help.​
Rank #4
Sale
Microsoft Surface Laptop (2026), 15-inch Premium Performance Laptop, Snapdragon X2 Elite Processor, Touchscreen Display, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD Storage, Windows 11 Copilot+ PC Built for AI, Black
  • A PREMIUM PERFORMANCE LAPTOP — Ready for work, school, and creativity. Built for busy days, big projects, and nonstop multitasking. Run video calls, school and work apps, 20+ browser tabs, and AI tools at the same time without slowing down.
  • WITH AI BUILT IN — With a dedicated AI chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite), this Copilot+ PC[5] on Windows 11 helps you work smarter and faster. Prompt, create, and automate with ease - ready for even your most demanding tasks.
  • A 15" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
  • 19 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 19 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
  • Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports and a microSD card reader for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.