Microsoft has upgraded one of the bosses of the Windows 7 development project to a new position of Windows Division President. Steven Sinofsky, formerly senior vice president, Windows and Windows Live Engineering Group, who has been leading the engineering process of Windows 7 together with Bill Veghte, senior vice president for the Windows Business, is going to join the very select club of Microsoft Presidents. In all, counting Sinofsky, Microsoft has just five presidents, involving Steven Elop, president, Microsoft Business Division; Bob Muglia, president of Server and Tools Business; Qi Lu, president, Online Services Division; and Robbie Bach, president, Entertainment & Devices Division.

“Steven Sinofsky has demonstrated the ability to lead large teams that deliver great products. The work he and the team have done in getting ready to ship Windows 7 really defines how to develop and ship world-class software,” revealed Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “He is a perfect fit to lead the Windows group.”

Without a doubt it is precisely the way Sinofsky handled the Windows 7 project that got him the promotion to President of the Windows Division. At the end of 2007 Microsoft was cooking the first milestone of Windows Vista's successor. Beta 1 was delivered in early 2009 although it had been finalized since late 2008. Windows 7 RC came in May, and RTM is just around the corner. The deadline for general availability of Windows 7 is set on October 22, 2009.

In his new role, Sinofsky will be responsible for the entire Windows business, namely the engineering and marketing of not only Windows but also Windows Live and Internet Explorer. 2009 is Sinofsky's 20th year at Microsoft, as he joined the company in 1989.

The Redmond company also informed that it would expand the role of Tami Reller, the chief financial officer (CFO) for the Windows Division, to also include marketing responsibilities. In addition, Bill Veghte, also a Windows 7 top dog along with Sinofsky, will receive a new leadership role in the company after the next iteration of the Windows client will be released to manufacturing.

“In addition to her in-depth knowledge of the Windows business, I’m excited that Tami will bring to Windows her experience in marketing and finance, along with a history of fostering a strong and profitable partner ecosystem in business software,” Sinofsky said.