These Were Sinofsky's Final Words to Microsoft Employees

Microsoft's former Windows boss is now no longer a part of the world's largest software company. Here is his letter to all Microsoft employees (via WinSuperSite).

From: Steven SinofskySent: Monday, November 12, 2012 6:42 PMTo: Microsoft - All Employees (QBDG)Subject: RE: Windows Leadership Changes 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. I’ve always advocated using the break between product cycles as an opportunity to reflect and to look ahead, and that applies to me too. 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. My passion for building products is as strong as ever and I look forward focusing my energy and creativity along similar lines. The Windows team, in partnerships across all of Microsoft and our industry, just completed products and services introducing a new era of Windows computing. It is an incredible experience to be part of a generational change in a unique product like Windows, one accomplished with an undeniable elegance. Building on Windows, Surface excels in design and utility for a new era of PCs. With the Store, Internet Explorer, Outlook.com, SkyDrive and more, each of which lead the way, this experience is connected to amazing cloud services. It is inspiring to think of these efforts making their way into the hands of Microsoft’s next billion customers. We can reflect on this project as a remarkable achievement for each of us and for the team. Our work is not done, such is the world of technology, and so much more is in store for customers. 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. I am beyond grateful. I have always promised myself when the right time came for me to change course, I would be brief, unlike one of my infamous short blog posts, and strive to be less memorable than the products and teams with which I have been proudly and humbly associated. The brevity of this announcement is simply a feature. 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. As I’ve always believed in making space for new leaders as quickly as possible, this announcement is effective immediately and I will assist however needed with the transition. I am super excited for what the future holds for the team and Microsoft. With my deepest appreciation, Steven Sinofsky Sent from Surface RT

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Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
  • Skeete_UK
    Sent from Surface RT ... nice touch
    Reply
  • enzed
    I understand where Sinofsky is coming from with this letter, but the fact that he left a month after the release of W8 is just too much of a coincidence to ignore.
    Reply
  • dr-hoads
    Not sure what to believe, but I think that it was nice that he saw win8 and surface to completion. I think it is WAY to early to tell if they are a failure or not. Surface PRO is not even out yet, and I am going to buy me one of those!! :-)
    Reply
  • djscribbles
    enzedI understand where Sinofsky is coming from with this letter, but the fact that he left a month after the release of W8 is just too much of a coincidence to ignore.
    If he left during the development of Surface RT, that would be too much to ignore. More likely, he's gone through a lot to deliver the product; with the completion of a big task, you have to ask what's next...

    It may simply be that he's flippin' rich now, and would like to spend more time with his family rather than chase after more money.
    Reply
  • Jump before this ship sinks. Smart guy.
    Reply
  • georgefrommanagement
    Personally I think he was going for the CEO position back when Gates retired, and decided to stay and release windows 8 when he didn't get it. Coordinating the entire windows division is probably just as hard as running a medium sized company. He probably felt qualified
    Reply
  • Devoteicon
    djscribblesIt may simply be that he's flippin' rich now, and would like to spend more time with his family rather than chase after more money.Apple: That makes no sense.
    Reply
  • aracheb
    dont find it weird if you see him hired as new Apple Chief on product development or even CEO
    Reply
  • slabbo
    arachebdont find it weird if you see him hired as new Apple Chief on product development or even CEOWell, he does wear that dark sweater well...
    Reply
  • damianrobertjones
    enzedI understand where Sinofsky is coming from with this letter, but the fact that he left a month after the release of W8 is just too much of a coincidence to ignore.
    He's apparently quite an aggressive guy so he would have cracked skulls during the run up to the WIN 8 release... it probably got noticed.
    Reply