Microsoft, in a surprise move, announced that it is parting ways with Windows Live President Steven Sinofsky, an executive often referred as the possible successor to the current chief executive. The controversial Windows boss leaves the software giant barely two weeks after Microsoft unveiled Windows 8. Sinofsky was a prominent figure during the launch event in New York City.
"Windows and Windows Live President Steven Sinofsky will be leaving the company and Julie Larson-Green will be promoted to lead all Windows software and hardware engineering," Microsoft said in a statement. "Tami Reller retains her roles as chief financial officer and chief marketing officer and will assume responsibility for the business of Windows," Microsoft announced.
A 23-year Microsoft veteran, Sinofsky joined the company in 1989 as a software design engineer and in three years' time, he was elevated to the post of a technical assistant for Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. He become the senior vice president of Office and was leading the effort to release productivity software suite. His successful run with the Office led him to the Windows division and in 2006, Sinofsky was named the senior vice president of the Windows and Windows Live group. He was elevated to the president of the Windows division in three years.
He headed development of two versions of Microsoft's flagship product, the 2009 release of Windows 7 and last month's launch of Windows 8. Sinofsky is credited with Microsoft's remarkable comeback with Windows 7 after the disastrous Windows Vista. He led the development and shipping of Windows 7, which became Microsoft's best-selling version of the operating system. His departure, just weeks after the introduction of Windows 8, leaves many sceptical about the how Microsoft will handle the process of transferring power to its new generation leaders.
"I am grateful for the many years of work that Steven has contributed to the company," Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said. Ballmer said Sinofsky's exit would mark the launch of a new era at Microsoft. "The products and services we have delivered to the market in the past few months mark the launch of a new era at Microsoft. We've built an incredible foundation with new releases of Microsoft Office, Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, Microsoft Surface, Windows Server 2012 and 'Halo 4,' and great integration of services such as Bing, Skype and Xbox across all our products. To continue this success it is imperative that we continue to drive alignment across all Microsoft teams, and have more integrated and rapid development cycles for our offerings," Microsoft chief said.
Sinofsky, 47, was not short of praise for his 2-decade long life with the software giant as he said, "It is impossible to count the blessings I have received over my years at Microsoft. I am humbled by the professionalism and generosity of everyone I have had the good fortune to work with at this awesome company."
