Microsoft announced via press release that the President of Windows and Windows Live, Steven Sinofsky, is leaving the company with immediate effect.
They also announced that Julie Larson-Green will be promoted to the post of head of Windows software and hardware engineering and Tami Reller will retain his role as CFO and CMO, but also assume responsibility for the Windows business. Both executives will report directly to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
In the same press release from Microsoft, included some statements Sinofsky, who among other things said the following,
"It is impossible to count the blessings I received during my years at Microsoft. I am humbled by the professionalism and generosity of all who have been fortunate to work in this amazing company "
In a separate memo for staff of Microsoft, Ballmer said,
Steven Sinofsky has decided to leave the company. Steven joined Microsoft in 1989 as a software development engineer and has contributed to the company in many ways from his work as a technical advisor to Bill Gates, lead the evolution of Microsoft Office, with its successful management and leadership of Windows and Windows Live , as well as Surface. I am grateful for the work that Steven has given our company.
As Microsoft is a joint decision between Sinofsky and the company, but Ina Fried All Things D reports that his sources told him that to Microsoft Sinofsky, while it was seen as highly talented, was not considered as a "team player" and did not get along very well with senior company executives.
Perhaps for those close to Microsoft, this was no surprise, but if it was for many others who did not expect a move of this nature, a few days after released Windows 8. All very odd, maybe soon we'll know more, but there is also the possibility that you never know the real reason for this surprising decision.