Microsoft Consolidates Windows Engineering Under Single Leadership
Microsoft has announced a significant reorganization that brings core Windows engineering teams back under the same organizational structure as feature and experience teams. This move reverses a 2018 decision that split Windows development between different divisions within the company.
According to an internal memo from Windows and Surface leader Pavan Davuluri, the Windows client and server teams will now operate together within the Windows organization. This unification marks a strategic shift in how Microsoft approaches Windows development and aligns with the company’s broader AI ambitions.
Ending the Six-Year Division
Since 2018, Microsoft’s Windows organization has operated with a divided structure:
- Core engineering teams were moved under Azure organization
- Feature experience teams remained under Windows organization
- Development efforts were separated across different reporting structures
Davuluri emphasized that this restructuring will “unify Windows engineering work under a single organization” and bring “focus to delivering against our priorities.” The consolidation comes as Microsoft positions Windows as an AI-powered operating system capable of performing tasks autonomously.
Accelerating the Agentic OS Vision
The reorganization directly supports Microsoft’s vision for Windows as an “Agentic OS” – an intelligent operating system that can conduct tasks on users’ behalf. This future Windows experience prioritizes:
- Voice input integration alongside traditional mouse and keyboard
- AI-powered automation of routine tasks and actions
- Proactive assistance through intelligent system capabilities
As reported by our industry monitoring partners, this structural change represents Microsoft’s commitment to making Windows the platform for future AI experiences. Davuluri’s leadership now spans the bulk of Windows engineering and development, signaling a coordinated push toward next-generation computing.
Strategic Exceptions Remain
While most Windows engineering teams return to the Windows organization, some specialized groups will remain under Azure. These include:
- Core kernel teams now part of Azure Core
- Virtualization and Linux teams supporting WSL and silicon enablement
- Foundation-level components essential for client scenarios
This balanced approach ensures that Windows development maintains access to critical cloud infrastructure while benefiting from unified product direction. The reorganization positions Microsoft to compete more effectively in the AI era while maintaining the stability and performance users expect from Windows.
