Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s head of product marketing for AI and Copilot, is transitioning into a new role where he will focus on "reimagining Windows for the agentic era" before eventually departing the company.
"After 35 extraordinary years at Microsoft - years filled with adventure, challenge, reinvention, and innovation - I've decided the time is right to begin planning for my next adventure," Mehdi indicated in an internal memo exclusively obtained by Business Insider. "I will work through the next fiscal year to help reimagine Windows for the agentic era, grow Microsoft 365 services, and bring our One Copilot vision to life."
Late last year, Microsoft's Windows and Surface boss, Pavan Davuluri, conducted a major Windows reorg in an effort to build an agentic OS by bringing the engineering and features teams that make the core of Windows back into the Windows organization back together.
The move to evolve Windows into an agentic OS sparked backlash from users. "Stop this non-sense," a concerned user lamented. "No one wants this." Consequently, Microsoft issued a detailed explanation highlighting Windows native AI future.
Microsoft indicated that Windows will ship with a new agentic workspace feature right out of the box that will contain AI agents in their own secure session. However, it indicated that users will have full control of the feature, allowing them to either share data with or shut it down at a moment's notice.
More recently, the company pulled back on its big AI push on Windows 11 as part of its broader effort to improve the overall user sentiment around the operating system.
Microsoft's Windows K2 project — an ongoing initiative designed to address major pain points across Windows 11 based on customer feedback, including reducing where Copilot and other AI integrations appear across the operating system and apps like Notepad. You can check out our status tracker to see what's in store for Windows 11's rehabilitation project through 2026.
This news comes after Microsoft made some major changes to its Copilot leadership structure in March, placing former Snap exec Jacob Andreou as the lead for Copilot experiences, both consumer and commercial, as an executive vice president reporting to Nadella, while Ryan Roslansky, Perry Clarke, and Charles Lamanna were put in charge to lead Microsoft 365 apps and the Copilot platform.
You can read the entire memo below:
Team,
After 35 extraordinary years at Microsoft - years filled with adventure, challenge, reinvention, and innovation - I've decided the time is right to begin planning for my next adventure! It's an exciting but difficult decision, as Microsoft has been far more than a place to work. It has truly been the canvas for my life's work. I've had the privilege of being a part of some of the most consequential shifts in technology - from the rise of Windows and the early Internet, to search, gaming, devices, and now one of the most profound platform transitions yet: AI. But while the products and platforms have been remarkable, the most meaningful part of this journey has always been the people. The teams I've worked alongside, learned from, built with, and grown with are what have made this experience so special. As I thought about this decision, one thing was crystal clear: I want to ensure I have the time and space to set the team - and our mission - up for continued success. We are in the middle of an incredibly important moment for Microsoft and for our customers. With that in mind, and in alignment with Satya and Takeshi, I will work through the next fiscal year to help reimagine Windows for the agentic era, grow Microsoft 365 services, and bring our One Copilot vision to life. Those of you who know me know this means I'll be fully engaged, likely more intensely than ever! I've always believed the right way to finish is the same way I've always tried to lead: with urgency, ambition, and a commitment to leave things stronger than I found them. There will be time later to reflect and celebrate, but for now, it's full speed ahead on our mission. I'm genuinely thrilled about the year ahead and grateful for the opportunity to spend it building alongside the teams here at Microsoft in service of our customers.
With deep gratitude, Yusuf.
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