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Microsoft's strategy chief limits role, will retire in 2014

Craig Mundie, who inherited some of Bill Gates' duties when Gates left his full-time position at Microsoft, will take on the role of "senior adviser to CEO."

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Microsoft's Craig Mundie. Jay Greene/CNET

Microsoft's chief research and strategy officer, Craig Mundie, said he will step down from his role as he prepares for his retirement in 2014.

Mundie has taken on the position of "senior adviser to the CEO," according to his biography on Microsoft's Web site. His responsibilities, which include overseeing Microsoft Research and other technical strategy duties, will fall to Eric Rudder, the company's chief technical strategy officer, according to AllThingsD.

Mundie's new role isn't well defined, but he will report to CEO Steve Ballmer.

"In this role, he works on key strategic projects within the company, as well as with government and business leaders around the world on technology policy, regulation, and standards," the company said in his bio.

The move was announced internally in a December 14 memo from CEO Steve Ballmer, but it had not been publicized, according to the report. Mundie will turn 65 in 2014.

Mundie had served as the chief research and strategy officer since Bill Gates left his full-time position at Microsoft in 2006, and he inherited some of Gates' duties. He also worked with Gates to develop the company's global strategies around technical, business, and policy issues, according to the company.