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The end of the Gates era

Microsoft and Bill Gates have long been nearly synonymous. That's about to change, as he looks to 2008 as the end of his day-to-day involvement.

5 min read

The end of the Gates era

Since its inception, Microsoft has been practically synonymous with co-founder Bill Gates. That's about to change, albeit slowly, as the software maven and the world's richest man looks to 2008 as the end of his day-to-day involvement with the company.

Gates to bow out at Microsoft

High Impact Co-founder sets 2008 date for transition out of day-to-day role at the software giant; plans to focus on charity work.

June 15, 2006

Ozzie, Mundie pick up tech mantle at Microsoft

newsmaker Ray Ozzie and Craig Mundie have some big shoes to fill. The two execs talk to CNET News.com about how they plan to take over for Gates.

June 16, 2006

Forrester: Gates' planned exit changes everything

commentary Forrester Research analysts say Microsoft's new leadership must quickly find a way to prevent the legacy weight of Windows and Office dragging down the fledgling Live platform.

June 16, 2006

Gates: Wouldn't change a thing

newsmaker The Microsoft chairman and founder looks forward to spending more time helping those who could most benefit from his time and assistance.

June 15, 2006

Why Microsoft won't miss Gates

perspective It's still too soon to write the final chapter, but CNET News.com's Charles Cooper says the record is a mixed one.

June 15, 2006

Is Ray Ozzie up to the task?

The Lotus Notes inventor and driving force behind Microsoft's online services strategy has some big shoes to fill.

June 15, 2006

Say what? A look back at Gates' pearls of wisdom

The list of "Gates-isms" is legendary within the tech industry. Here's a sampling of his most well-known quips.

June 15, 2006

Most in industry letting Gates go quietly

News that Microsoft's chair plans to step down from a day-to-day role caused barely a ripple in the tech world.

June 15, 2006

The foundation that Bill Gates built

Organization that will get Microsoft chair's full attention stresses global health, education, libraries and the Pacific Northwest.

June 15, 2006

Microsoft's mixed scorecard

The software giant still dominates the desktop, but finding new markets has proven tricky.

June 15, 2006

Gates: Capitalist hero or monopolist villain?

As word spreads that he's stepping away from Microsoft, Bill Gates, as usual, elicits extreme reactions on blogs and message boards.

June 15, 2006

Gates', Ballmer's e-mails to employees

In e-mails to Microsoft employees, Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer shared some of their thoughts on the leadership changes.

June 15, 2006

A Gates time line

A look at the pivotal moments in the life of Microsoft's Bill Gates, one of the world's richest and most famous/infamous men.

June 15, 2006

Previous Microsoft coverage

Piecing together Windows Vista

special coverage Aiming to re-create the excitement of Windows 95, Microsoft is trying to turn Vista into its next big win.

June 12, 2006

Gates: Microsoft will keep Google honest

He concedes mistakes, but Bill Gates promises that Redmond's investments will enable it to catch its rival.

May 3, 2006

Catching up with the Gateses

Papa Bill says the kids are busily pursuing their current interests via Internet research--thanks to MSN's search tool, of course.

March 27, 2006

Bill Gates is no match for the Teflon president

blog In an "American Idol" style poll, TV viewers and AOL users rank the uber-Microsoftie among the 100 greatest Americans.

June 28, 2005

News.com poll

Bill Gates has set a timetable to end his day-to-day work at Microsoft. Do you agree with his plans?

Too soon. There's no one else who can fill his shoes.
Not soon enough. He should have left years ago.
Just about right. The company's in capable hands with Ballmer, Ozzie and crew.



View results

Related video
Video: Gates going, but slowly

Gates going, but slowly

Microsoft co-founder plans his future.

Video: Gates to hand off to Ballmer

Gates to hand off to Ballmer

Microsoft in for major executive shift.

Video: Gates to hand over reins by mid-2008

Gates to hand over reins by mid-2008

"I'm not leaving Microsoft."

Video: Live from Mix '06

Live from Mix '06

Microsoft wants to help deliver a "cool content experience."

Related audio

The reaction in Redmond

What happens to Microsoft post-Gates? CNET News.com's Charlie Cooper speaks with reporter Ina Fried, who was on the ground at Microsoft's headquarters to speak with Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer.


Download mp3 (823KB)
Related images
Photos: Microsoft announces Gates stepping down

Microsoft announces the news

At a Thursday press conference, Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates announce that Gates will gradually step down.

Photos: A Bill Gates retrospective

A Bill Gates retrospective

Through the years, Microsoft's leader has hobnobbed with everyone from the Queen to Bono--and the Albuquerque police.


The end of the Gates era

Since its inception, Microsoft has been practically synonymous with co-founder Bill Gates. That's about to change, albeit slowly, as the software maven and the world's richest man looks to 2008 as the end of his day-to-day involvement with the company.

Gates to bow out at Microsoft

High Impact Co-founder sets 2008 date for transition out of day-to-day role at the software giant; plans to focus on charity work.

June 15, 2006

Ozzie, Mundie pick up tech mantle at Microsoft

newsmaker Ray Ozzie and Craig Mundie have some big shoes to fill. The two execs talk to CNET News.com about how they plan to take over for Gates.

June 16, 2006

Forrester: Gates' planned exit changes everything

commentary Forrester Research analysts say Microsoft's new leadership must quickly find a way to prevent the legacy weight of Windows and Office dragging down the fledgling Live platform.

June 16, 2006

Gates: Wouldn't change a thing

newsmaker The Microsoft chairman and founder looks forward to spending more time helping those who could most benefit from his time and assistance.

June 15, 2006

Why Microsoft won't miss Gates

perspective It's still too soon to write the final chapter, but CNET News.com's Charles Cooper says the record is a mixed one.

June 15, 2006

Is Ray Ozzie up to the task?

The Lotus Notes inventor and driving force behind Microsoft's online services strategy has some big shoes to fill.

June 15, 2006

Say what? A look back at Gates' pearls of wisdom

The list of "Gates-isms" is legendary within the tech industry. Here's a sampling of his most well-known quips.

June 15, 2006

Most in industry letting Gates go quietly

News that Microsoft's chair plans to step down from a day-to-day role caused barely a ripple in the tech world.

June 15, 2006

The foundation that Bill Gates built

Organization that will get Microsoft chair's full attention stresses global health, education, libraries and the Pacific Northwest.

June 15, 2006

Microsoft's mixed scorecard

The software giant still dominates the desktop, but finding new markets has proven tricky.

June 15, 2006

Gates: Capitalist hero or monopolist villain?

As word spreads that he's stepping away from Microsoft, Bill Gates, as usual, elicits extreme reactions on blogs and message boards.

June 15, 2006

Gates', Ballmer's e-mails to employees

In e-mails to Microsoft employees, Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer shared some of their thoughts on the leadership changes.

June 15, 2006

A Gates time line

A look at the pivotal moments in the life of Microsoft's Bill Gates, one of the world's richest and most famous/infamous men.

June 15, 2006

Previous Microsoft coverage

Piecing together Windows Vista

special coverage Aiming to re-create the excitement of Windows 95, Microsoft is trying to turn Vista into its next big win.

June 12, 2006

Gates: Microsoft will keep Google honest

He concedes mistakes, but Bill Gates promises that Redmond's investments will enable it to catch its rival.

May 3, 2006

Catching up with the Gateses

Papa Bill says the kids are busily pursuing their current interests via Internet research--thanks to MSN's search tool, of course.

March 27, 2006

Bill Gates is no match for the Teflon president

blog In an "American Idol" style poll, TV viewers and AOL users rank the uber-Microsoftie among the 100 greatest Americans.

June 28, 2005

News.com poll

Bill Gates has set a timetable to end his day-to-day work at Microsoft. Do you agree with his plans?

Too soon. There's no one else who can fill his shoes.
Not soon enough. He should have left years ago.
Just about right. The company's in capable hands with Ballmer, Ozzie and crew.



View results

Related video
Video: Gates going, but slowly

Gates going, but slowly

Microsoft co-founder plans his future.

Video: Gates to hand off to Ballmer

Gates to hand off to Ballmer

Microsoft in for major executive shift.

Video: Gates to hand over reins by mid-2008

Gates to hand over reins by mid-2008

"I'm not leaving Microsoft."

Video: Live from Mix '06

Live from Mix '06

Microsoft wants to help deliver a "cool content experience."

Related audio

The reaction in Redmond

What happens to Microsoft post-Gates? CNET News.com's Charlie Cooper speaks with reporter Ina Fried, who was on the ground at Microsoft's headquarters to speak with Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer.


Download mp3 (823KB)
Related images
Photos: Microsoft announces Gates stepping down

Microsoft announces the news

At a Thursday press conference, Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates announce that Gates will gradually step down.

Photos: A Bill Gates retrospective

A Bill Gates retrospective

Through the years, Microsoft's leader has hobnobbed with everyone from the Queen to Bono--and the Albuquerque police.