Does Ford still use Microsoft?
Yes. Ford still works with Microsoft, primarily as a cloud partner using Microsoft Azure to power connected-car services and data analytics. At the same time, Ford has moved away from relying on Microsoft for its in-vehicle software, embracing other platforms for its onboard systems.
Two tracks of the Ford–Microsoft relationship
The collaboration with Microsoft today runs in two main streams: cloud-based services and enterprise productivity tools. The in-vehicle software stack, meanwhile, has shifted to non-Microsoft platforms over the past decade. Here are the key elements driving the partnership today:
- Azure cloud platform is used to host connected-vehicle data, telematics, and digital services that Ford offers to customers.
- Azure-powered data analytics and AI capabilities support Ford’s mobility services, vehicle diagnostics, and OTA (over-the-air) updates.
- Security, privacy, and compliance work with Microsoft helps safeguard data collected from connected vehicles and user accounts.
- Internal productivity and developer tooling for Ford teams—such as Microsoft 365 and collaboration tools—support planning, design, and operations across the company.
Taken together, this cloud-first collaboration underpins Ford’s data-driven services while keeping the company’s onboard software strategy open to multiple platform partners.
In-vehicle software: where Microsoft fits today
Ford’s approach to the car’s software stack has evolved away from Windows-based systems. The company moved away from Windows Embedded Automotive years ago, and today its infotainment and vehicle software rely on other platforms and vendors. Ford also supports standard smartphone integration features in most models, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rather than building a Windows-centered in-car OS.
- The Windows Embedded Automotive era for Ford’s early SYNC systems has been retired in modern vehicles.
- Current infotainment architectures are built on non-Microsoft platforms and partner ecosystems, with Ford pursuing varied, vendor-flexible solutions.
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remain widely supported, ensuring drivers access familiar smartphone experiences regardless of the underlying in-car OS.
In short, Microsoft’s influence on Ford today is strongest in the cloud and enterprise layer, while the car’s software stack is steered by other platforms to meet automotive needs and regulatory requirements.
What this means for customers and the industry
For customers, the arrangement translates to advanced connected services powered by Azure—such as data-driven features, improved vehicle health insights, and more frequent OTA updates—without relying on a Windows-based in-car experience. For the broader automotive industry, the Ford–Microsoft relationship illustrates a growing split between cloud-provider partnerships and on-vehicle software stewardship, a model many automakers are pursuing to balance reliability, security, and ongoing innovation.
As Ford continues to invest in cloud-enabled mobility while diversifying its in-vehicle software stack, the partnership with Microsoft remains active and evolving, reflecting a broader trend toward hybrid tech ecosystems in modern mobility.
Summary
Ford still collaborates with Microsoft, chiefly through Microsoft Azure for cloud services, data analytics, and enterprise tools. However, Ford’s in-vehicle software no longer relies on Microsoft and is now built on alternative platforms while preserving broad smartphone integration. The arrangement underscores a dual approach: leverage the cloud for connected services and use multiple platforms for the actual car software, balancing innovation with safety and reliability.
