Bill Gates shares his one major regret when it comes to creating Microsoft

Bill Gates has revealed the one major regret he had while starting up Microsoft.

Much like his multi-trillion dollar business, Gates is a household name and isn't shy of sharing his wisdom with other budding entrepreneurs.

The technology magnate co-founded Microsoft in 1975 alongside friend and computer programmer Paul Allen.

The pair wanted to make computing more accessible, with 20-year-old Gates dropping out of Harvard to pursue the venture.

Some risks really do pay off...

Paul Allen and Bill Gates nine years after founding Microsoft (Doug Wilson/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

Led by Gates, Microsoft went on to revolutionize the world of computing and software and is now the largest vendor of computer software in the world.

The 69-year-old is now the seventh richest person on Earth, with a net worth of $107 billion.

With almost 50 years of experience under his belt, it's safe to say Gates has learned a lot. He's already shared his top tips for tackling common job interview questions, including the dreaded subjects of salary expectations and why you should be hired.

But in Microsoft's early days, he wishes there was one major thing he'd done differently.

And in 2023, Gates shared the mistake he made with Northern Arizona University’s graduating class.

Bill Gates is now the seventh-richest man in the world (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

He admitted he rarely took time off work, explaining: “When I was your age, I didn’t believe in vacations. I didn’t even believe in weekends. I pushed everyone around me to work very long hours.”

Gates went as far as scouting the parking lot every day in a bid to 'keep track of who is leaving early and who is staying late'.

It took him a hell of a long time - decades, in fact - to realize that working in such a way wasn't sustainable.

He reflected: “As I got older - and especially once I became a father - I realized that both in terms of doing your best work and having a great life, that that intensity was not always appropriate.

"Don’t wait as long as I did to learn this lesson.”

Gates with his youngest daughter Phoebe (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

He added: “You are not a slacker if you’ve cut yourself some slack. It took me a long time to learn [that]."

Gates and ex-wife Melinda are parents to Jennifer, 28, Rory, 25 and Phoebe, 22.

It's safe to say the philanthropist has enjoyed some luxurious vacations over the years, including a $30,000-a-night getaway in Vietnam's Son Tra Nature Reserve and a family holiday on a $5 million-a-week superyacht in Sardinia, Italy.

So the next time you catch yourself burning the candle at both ends, remember Gates' wise words.