For now, Gates will continue to work full-time, but Ray Ozzie will immediately assume the title of chief software architect and Craig Mundie will become chief research and strategy officer working on research and incubation efforts, the company said.
After July 2008, Gates will continue to serve as the company's chairman, and as an advisor on key development projects, Microsoft said.
Gates plans to spend more time on his global health and education work.
The complete text of Microsoft's announcement is available
here.
Other coverageHere are some interesting articles relating to Gates' planned departure from Microsoft from our sister sites
eWEEK, Microsoft Watch, and more:
- Gates to Step Aside, Focus on Philanthropy -- Founder Bill Gates will continue as chairman for the company, while two chief technology officers will step in to take his other roles.
- Gates Stepping Back No Big Surprise -- Opinion: Gates' demands outside of Microsoft, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, were taking up the bulk of his time, which is probably the way he intended.
- Bill Gates' Legacy: Microsoft's Top 10 Flops -- Opinion: Gates will be remembered as a visionary and PC industry leader. But even Microsoft's chairman hasn't been right in all of his bets.
- Mundie Speaks Out on Gates' Transition, the Future -- Q&A: Bill Gates wanted to make his transition away from Microsoft happen the right way at the right time. New chief research and strategy officer Craig Mundie discusses why now is the right time and how Microsoft will adapt.
- Is Microsoft Ready for Gates' Transition? -- News Analysis: There is no consensus about whether the way Microsoft does business will change significantly as founder Bill Gates shifts his focus to his charitable foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Will Microsoft Still Be Microsoft Without Bill Gates? -- Opinion: Will 'The Evil Empire' still inspire fear in the hearts of competitors without its stalwart leader involved in day-to-day operations? My bet is no.
- The Curse of Vista Claims Bill Gates -- Opinion: Is there a curse connected to OS development that can strike down top execs in their prime? There are plenty of examples to consider, including Apple's own Steve Jobs.
- Never Fear to Hire Someone Smarter than You Are -- Opinion: Whatever the personal or professional flaws of a Bill Gates (or a Steve Jobs) might be, both of them have demonstrated that they're not afraid to hire people who are smarter than they are.
- BlogWatch: Instant Analysis on Gates -- The blogosphere didn't waste much time reacting to Bill Gates' plan to step aside from a day-to-day role at Microsoft.
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