Microsoft has announced that Windows and Windows Live boss Steven Sinofsky, the Microsoft executive at the helm of the recent launch of Windows 8, will be leaving the company. Julie Larson-Green will be promoted to spearhead Windows software and hardware engineering and CFO Tami Reller will assume charge of the overall Windows business.

These changes are effective immediately.

“I am grateful for the many years of work that Steven has contributed to the company,” Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said in a company statement, before going through a list of recent Microsoft product launches and stating that 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.”

“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,” Sinofsky said in the same statement.

The company gave no reason for Sinofsky’s departure, which comes just two weeks after the launch of Windows 8, but The Verge is reporting that internal Microsoft sources have described Sinofsky to them as abrasive and that his reputation of being difficult to work with may have led to his resignation.

In an email from Sinofsky to employees, published on Paul Thurrott’s Supersite for Windows, Sinofsky has refuted these claims.

“With the general availability of Windows 8/RT and Surface, I have decided it is time for me to take a step back from my responsibilities at Microsoft,” he wrote.

“After more than 23 years working on a wide range of Microsoft products, I have decided to leave the company to seek new opportunities that build on these experiences.

“Some might notice a bit of chatter speculating about this decision or timing. I can assure you that none could be true as this was a personal and private choice that in no way reflects any speculation or theories one might read – about me, opportunity, the company or its leadership.”

Source : feeds[dot]ign[dot]com