Windows president leaves Microsoft in sudden leadership shakeup
Microsoft has announced that President of Windows Live and Windows, Steven Sinofsky, has left the company. But why did Microsoft fire Steven Sinofsky?
The changes are effective immediately and it seems that Sinofsky wasn't fully behind Microsoft's strategy going forward. Microsoft hasn't outwardly given reasons for this sudden change in leadership, which comes just over two weeks since the launch of Windows 8.
The title of Microsoft's blog on the matter suggests Sinofsky needed to leave to enable the firm to 'drive the next wave of devices'. Many had Sinofsky pegged as the next CEO of Microsoft. Visit Windows 8 Advisor.
Microsoft's CEO, Steve Ballmer, expressed his gratitude for Sinofsky's work of the years but the key line is this: "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."
See also: Microsoft Surface RT review.
It seems to suggest that Sinofsky wasn't in-line with Microsoft's strategy for the future so needed to go. Sinofsky himself gave nothing away in his statement on the issue saying: "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,"
So what happens now? Well, Julie Larson-Green has been promoted to head up the Windows software and hardware engineering. After contributing to Internet Explorer, Office, Windows 7 and Windows 8, Ballmer said: "it was clear to me that Julie is the best possible person for this job,"
"In her new role she will be responsible for all future Windows product development in addition to future hardware opportunities." said Microsoft in its blog.
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Comments
carlyle_ny said: because he screwed the windows franchise with 8
Pjsa01 said: It looks to me that he was either fired or subject to what would be regarded as constructive dismissal in the UK Guess something of a power struggle at the top Seems such a pity as he and his team gave a slick presentation at the launch of Windows 8 far better IMHO than anything Steve Ballmer has given
Matt Egan said: Personal opinion - and that is all it is as is stated in Chris piece - is this is a very strange time to leave for good reasons
Andy James said: It does seem rather un-backed to me though - just an opinion - it seems to contradict some other articles on the internet which some have some questionable quotations to him leaving NUJ Code of Conduct Point 2 Strives to ensure that information disseminated is honestly conveyed accurate and fairAt this point - this is rather questionable - unless - you could provide the source
Matt Egan said: Know that for a fact do you
Payattention said: He wasnt fired he quit
Jeffrey Haun said: If he having cold feet about the push to a tablet like OS for enterprise users I can understand Ive been a windows user since 31 and Im still figuring out where everything is in W8 Not going to be a smooth transition
Steve Jarvis3 said: Well if she had anything to do with IE she needs her arse sacking as well