sinofsky

SAN FRANCISCO--Although he wasn't on stage for the launch of the Internet Explorer 9 beta yesterday, Windows unit president Steven Sinofsky was paying close attention to the product's release and to initial public reaction.

It's a sign of just how important the browser has become to the overall success of Windows. By any measure--and Microsoft does plenty of research--Web browsing is one of the main things that people do with their computers. Although Internet Explorer still is the most used browser, it has been ceding share in recent years to Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers.

In a … Read more

Those intrigued by the "GodMode" in Windows 7 may be interested to know that there are many other similar shortcuts hidden within the operating system.

Intended for developers as a shortcut to various internal settings, such features have been around since Vista and even before, according to the head of Microsoft's Windows division, who tells CNET that the so-called GodMode settings folder uncovered by bloggers is just one of many undocumented developer features included in Windows.

In an e-mail interview, Steven Sinofsky, Windows division president, said several similar undocumented features provide direct access to all kinds of … Read more

LOS ANGELES--While some have criticized Steven Sinofsky for being tight-lipped, the Windows boss insists that he is being prudent, not secretive.

"Everybody wants to know what's coming and what's next." But, he said, talking too soon, too early is actually a bad thing that just leads to frustration.

"You reacting to some nightly developer build isn't really productive to anybody," Sinofsky said in an interview at this week's Professional Developers Conference.

Sinofsky says that people don't want to show up to a restaurant and watch a potato being peeled and taste … Read more

LOS ANGELES--As a software guy, Windows division president Steven Sinofsky readily admits that he had little idea of all that goes into building a laptop.

Like many at Microsoft, he tended to think of products as done once the software was finalized. During the past couple of months, though, he has gotten a much better idea, as his Windows team went through the process of designing and building a Windows 7 laptop in conjunction with Acer.

That laptop made its debut on Wednesday, as Microsoft handed out the devices to paid attendees of the Professional Developers Conference here. It's … Read more

LOS ANGELES--After spending much of Tuesday in the clouds, the second day of the Professional Developers Conference on Wednesday is expected to be far more grounded.

On tap is a discussion of the Office 2010 beta as well as the first details on Internet Explorer 9, although Microsoft is not providing code. Microsoft is also talking about Silverlight 4 and releasing a beta of that product.

8:30 a.m. PT: Windows unit president Steven Sinofsky takes the stage.

Sinofsky said that Microsoft approaches Windows 7 like building a movie theater. Microsoft's job is to provide "great seats, … Read more

NEW YORK--Whereas the Manhattan launch of Windows Vista was largely about the glitz, Thursday's event here was more hands-on tech demo than Hollywood premiere.

Most of the focus at the Windows 7 event was on showing off new PC models and showing how they connect with one another and with other devices, such as high-definition televisions, cameras, and photo frames.

Also on display were a large number of touch-screen models, both laptop and all-in-one desktop varieties, with many running Microsoft's Touch Pack, which includes Surface applications such as Virtual Earth and Lagoon.

But the device that attendees most … Read more

With his first Windows release under his belt, Microsoft Windows Division President Steven Sinofsky is trying his hand as an author.

The Windows unit president is co-authoring a management book with Harvard's Marco Iansiti.

The as-yet-untitled book, which is due out from Wiley later this year, will explore how one comes into a large, existing organization and helps it thrive. Sinofsky has been trying out his writing touch with his Engineering Windows 7 blog.

The tome will draw heavily on Sinofsky's experience coming into the Windows unit following his many years on the Office side of the house. … Read more

Steven Sinofsky is set to gain further control over Microsoft's Windows business, Microsoft confirmed on Wednesday.

Sinofsky will become division president, assuming both business and technical responsibility for Microsoft's flagship operating system, according to Microsoft.

He had been jointly running the Windows business with Senior Vice President Bill Veghte, with Sinofsky leading the engineering team and Veghte running the business side. Veghte is slated to move to a new, unspecified role within Microsoft.

"Steven Sinofsky has demonstrated the ability to lead large teams that deliver great products," Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said in a statement. "… Read more

As I noted Wednesday, Microsoft isn't making huge changes to Windows 7 as a result of the beta feedback, but it is making a lot of little ones.

In a posting to its Engineering Windows 7 blog on Thursday, Microsoft outlined some of the changes that will be made for the next public version, which will be a near-final "release candidate" build.

Along with the ones mentioned in my previous article, Microsoft is making more than 30 other changes, including expanding its Aero Peek touch interface, adding broader support for older FAT32-formatted hard drives, and making it … Read more