Microsoft Promotes New President Before Windows 7 Launch

Microsoft yesterday promoted Steven Sinofsky, a 20-year veteran of the company, to president of the Windows Division. He previously led the Windows and Windows Live Engineering Group.

In his new position, Sinofsky will oversee both engineering and marketing for Windows, Windows Live and Internet Explorer, core properties of the company. Sinofsky assumes his role as Microsoft is battling substantial economic headwinds that have knocked down its revenue and profits.

“The work that [Sinofsky] and the team have done in getting ready to ship Windows 7 really defines how to develop and ship world-class software,” Steve Ballmer, Microsoft chief executive said in a statement.

Other shifts within the company include changes for Tami Reller, chief financial officer for the Windows Division, who will assume “the additional responsibility for marketing,” and Bill Veghte, who will be moving into an as-yet-unnamed leadership role.

Microsoft is planning a huge push for Windows 7, its upcoming operating system (OS), which revolves around cutting prices and offering free upgrades. Windows 7 is due to be released on 22 October, and the company is hoping that its tactics will build momentum going into the holiday selling season.

Free upgrades to Windows 7 are being offered for customers who purchase PCs currently loaded with Windows Vista, Microsoft’s previous and much-maligned OS. However, Microsoft is also limiting the number of free upgrades to 25 PCs per company, something that could complicate purchases for small and midsize businesses currently on the crux of a hardware refresh.

Windows 7 will sell for roughly 10 percent less than Vista, on top of substantial discounts that retail partners are already offering. For purchasers in the US, the Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade will cost $119.99 (£74.16) instead of $129.99 (£80.34), while the full retail version will cost roughly $40 (£24.72) less than the Vista version.

Nicholas Kolakowski eWEEK USA 2013. Ziff Davis Enterprise Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Recent Posts

Apple, Google Mobile Ecosystems Should Be Investigated, CMA Told

CMA receives 'provisional recommendation' from independent inquiry that Apple,Google mobile ecosystem needs investigation

5 mins ago

Australia Rejects Elon Musk Claim About Social Media Ban For Under-16s

Government minister flatly rejects Elon Musk's “unsurprising” allegation that Australian government seeks control of Internet…

3 hours ago

Northvolt Files For Bankruptcy Protection In US

Northvolt files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States, and CEO and co-founder…

5 hours ago

UK’s CMA Readies Cloud Sector “Behavioural” Remedies – Report

Targetting AWS, Microsoft? British competition regulator soon to announce “behavioural” remedies for cloud sector

20 hours ago

Former Policy Boss At X Nick Pickles, Joins Sam Altman Venture

Move to Elon Musk rival. Former senior executive at X joins Sam Altman's venture formerly…

22 hours ago

Bitcoin Rises Above $96,000 Amid Trump Optimism

Bitcoin price rises towards $100,000, amid investor optimism of friendlier US regulatory landscape under Donald…

24 hours ago