> ...However the reason this came into existence was by microsoft's design to commoditize the hardware to drive software sales of its (closed) operating system.
Don't make the tail wag the dog.
IBM was in control of the hardware design and the rest of the ecosystem, heavily influenced by their previous work on the IBM System/23 DataMaster.
Microsoft just jumped on board for the expected lucrative ride, supplying a CP/M-like OS that they purchased from a local shop (SCP's QDOS).
IBM designed the original ISA bus PC. But with microsoft's non-exclusive agreement it was able to sell MS-DOS, and it kickstarted early clones like compaq. IBM tried to close things down with the PS/2 OS/2 and microchannel, but they couldn't close the barn door.
Besides a license for MSDOS, the PC clone makers also needed a compatible BIOS. Compaq was the first out of the gate with a mostly-compatible IBM PC BIOS.
The IBM PC-compatible BIOS from Phoenix Technologies allowed more companies to jump in the PC clone wars.
here's another fun article: https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2002/06/12/strategy-letter-v/