Panos Panay, Microsoft's chief product officer and vice president of devices, announces his resignation after 19 years with the business.

Panay's most recent position at Microsoft put him in control of both the Surface hardware line and the development of Windows software, an Apple-style dual software/hardware leadership job created by Microsoft in 2020. Panay formerly served as Microsoft's chief of hardware - Redmond watchers may recognize him as the highly enthusiastic Surface salesman at Microsoft product presentations.

The reason for the Microsoft executive's resignation is unknown. Panay just decided to turn the page and write the next chapter, adding that he is grateful for his time at Microsoft. Panay did not provide any extra context or disclose any new initiatives.

Meanwhile, Panay's recent post on X suggests excitement over a planned Microsoft Event later this week at which the next Surface device is expected to be announced, implying that his departure was not totally planned - at least not by Panay.

Microsoft hasn't issued a public statement on its Surface guru's departure, but he did confirm it to The Register and supplied a copy of an internal memo announcing the departure written to workers by EVP Rajesh Jha. While no further reason is provided in the letter, it does identify many organizational changes that have occurred in conjunction with Panay's departure.

According to Jha, Windows planning and release management will be handled by a team lead by Pavan Davuluri, who is presently the head of Windows silicon and systems integration and the Surface team's general manager. This organisation will also be in charge of developing silicon, systems, and devices that span Windows, client, and cloud for an AI world.