Steven Sinofsky named President of Windows division
By Kevin Weiner, 08 July 2009 - 20:39 47 comments
Microsoft today released a press statement stating that Steven Sinofsky has been named President of the Windows division. He now assumes responsibility of the Windows business unit including both the engineering and marketing functions for Windows, Windows Live, and Internet Explorer.
"Steven Sinofsky has demonstrated the ability to lead large teams that deliver great products. The work he and the team have done in getting ready to ship Windows 7 really defines how to develop and ship world-class software." said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
This comes as Microsoft is putting the finishing touches on Windows 7 and is getting ready to release the RTM. "Windows 7 is receiving terrific feedback from customers, partners, analysts alike, and the entire Windows team has done a great job." wrote Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in an internal email to employees announcing Sinofsky's promotion.
There has also been some other exec reshuffles at Microsoft reports Tech Flash. Bill Veghte, the senior vice president in charge of Windows sales and marketing, "will take a new leadership role in the company to be announced later this year.", says Ballmer. Tami Reller, currently the chief financial officer for the Windows Division, will take on the additional responsibility for marketing.
Comments (47)
+Xenosion - 08 July 2009 - 20:49
If this is the man behind this refreshing new Windows image, I applaud him and he deserves the promotion.
The Real Alex - 08 July 2009 - 22:09
Same here.
M_Lyons10 - 08 July 2009 - 23:54
Agreed. The Windows plans seem to be very well thought out now. I commend them.
TheJudge - 09 July 2009 - 02:56
+1
dimithrak - 09 July 2009 - 13:55
+1
Kevin. - 08 July 2009 - 20:50
Brilliant move, Microsoft! Steven Sinofsky has done a fantastic job with Windows 7, and has also gotten involved with the community. I wish him all the best with his new position.
+Northgrove - 08 July 2009 - 20:56
Sounds like a good move.
The smooth project leadership the Windows 7 development seem to have had from the "outside" as a mere observer, seem to make this well deserved. 
It's all in sharp contrast to the horrors during Windows Vista was developed, for sure. A resulting major software release can only be as good as the teams behind it were led.
+Northgrove - 08 July 2009 - 23:09
I'd also like to add that it takes quite some guts to focus on "invisible" changes like speed on an OS release. When was the last time MS did a true speed improvement on this scale, and not just according to the marketing material? It doesn't even use a new theme. Overall, I think MS has listened to their users well this time around, and that's pretty "new" for them.
Hurmoth - 08 July 2009 - 20:56
Excellent move. Office 2007 was fantastic and he has done a great job with Windows 7. I look forward to seeing what the Windows teams will churn out in the future. Congrats to Steven!!!
manosdoc - 08 July 2009 - 21:04
It was about time.
Sinofsky has been way more open to Development proccess adopting and interracting with Testers, something not done in days of Allchin back @ Longhorn.
+TCLN Ryster - 08 July 2009 - 22:38
Sinofsky has been way more open to Development proccess adopting and interracting with Testers, something not done in days of Allchin back @ Longhorn.
Which testers are you referring to? Certainly not Microsoft's group of official Tech Beta testers of which I am a member.
+statm1 - 09 July 2009 - 03:54
+1!!
BlendedFrog - 09 July 2009 - 11:37
Which testers are you referring to? Certainly not Microsoft's group of official Tech Beta testers of which I am a member.
Have to whole heartily agree with that one. If anything this has been one of the most quiet and cutoff beta I have been part of. And unless I have been completely blind....Steve hasn't once been part of the NG or live meetings.
neoxphuse - 08 July 2009 - 21:06
Love this guys work; his imagination and the products he has worked on has been successfull. Can't wait.
red77stars - 08 July 2009 - 21:07
Good Decision!
SH3K0 - 08 July 2009 - 21:21
Excellent work, congratulations to him and his team.
darkmanx21 - 08 July 2009 - 21:29
The guy may truly be Microsoft's savior..he also told them about this thing called the "internet" back in the 90's Bill Gates days! He handled Office 2007 and now pushed out one of the best Windows. Bravo!
winlonghorn - 08 July 2009 - 21:29
Congratulations Steven! You have done a wonderful job on both Office and Windows 7! Microsoft made a brilliant move by promoting you. Windows now has a bright future thanks to you and I am proud to be a Microsoft product user!
burnblue - 08 July 2009 - 21:48
This makes me smile. He definitely deserves it, after refreshing Office for 2007 and then turning around Windows from Vista. He's not just good at putting teh product together, but good at getting end users to buy into his vision
+TruckWEB - 08 July 2009 - 21:49
He is also the guy behind the very poor beta experience that we (beta testers) had. With only 2 build to test overall and everything closed as "Fixed in another build" that we never got or the famous "Won't fix" or "By Design".
And it's also the first Windows Beta that got so many leaks, enough to make beta testers truly useless.
So, I can only assume that with Steven, it's probably going to be the end of the Beta Testing Program.