Microsoft Reorganizes, Windows Left Behind for the Cloud

Windows is officially a non-priority for Microsoft. That is such a bizarre sentence to type as someone who has grown up on Windows computers. Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella sent out an email to employees titled “Embracing our future: Intelligent Cloud and Intelligent Edge.” The email was announcing yet another reshuffle of Microsoft’s priorities.

Windows obviously isn’t dead, but the fact that Microsoft is focusing elsewhere is telling. It is being split up and will now fall under a larger cloud umbrella, which isn’t surprising. Satya Nadella believes that the cloud and AI is the future and that Microsoft needs to dedicate to these ventures.

Nadella states, “Over the past year, we have shared our vision for how the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge will shape the next phase of innovation. First, computing is more powerful and ubiquitous from the cloud to the edge. Second, AI capabilities are rapidly advancing across perception and cognition fueled by data and knowledge of the world. Third, physical and virtual worlds are coming together to create richer experiences that understand the context surrounding people, the things they use, the places they go, and their activities and relationships.”

Even Windows 10 was controversially data driven when it first launched. It’s easier to convince people of combining the physical and virtual world through the cloud than through an OS.

The focus on Microsoft Azure going forward will be Business AI, Universal Store and Commerce Platform, AI Perception and Mixed Reality, and AI Cognitive Services and Platform.

It’s clear that AI and machine learning are the future of cloud computing in the eyes of Microsoft. The email specifically discusses AI speech, vision, mixed reality, and additional perception capabilities. They plan to build first-party products that will help both enterprises and average users. They also go over AI tools and cognitive services.

Of Windows, its focus as a standalone focus ends with the loss of Terry Myerson. Myerson was with Microsoft for over 21 years and was the lead for Windows 10. Myerson was not replaced. Instead, Corporate Vice President in the Operating Systems Group, Joe Belfior, will take full charge of Windows. There will be more information regarding windows to come at Microsoft Build in Seattle from May 7^th to May 9^th.

With the consolidation of Windows under the cloud, it’s likely that these Azure changes will find their place in the future of consumer Windows products.

We encourage you to read the full email here.