BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Martin Taylor, a key adviser to Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, has left the software maker, the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday quoted the company as saying.

Martin Taylor, corporate vice president overseeing the marketing push for Windows Live services, has left Microsoft. (file photo)

    "We've made the difficult decision to part ways with Martin, but we don't comment on personnel matters," Microsoft said in a statement. "We appreciate Martin's contributions at Microsoft over the past 13 years."

    Taylor, who led Microsoft's "Get the Facts" anti-Linux crusade for several years, was named in March as a corporate vice president overseeing the marketing push for Windows Live services.

    Before he led the "Get the Facts" campaign, Taylor served as director of business strategy, working directly for Ballmer on various strategic projects and on long-term planning for the corporation. Hu used to be general manager of Microsoft's Caribbean unit for more than two years.

    Taylor's abrupt departure came only one day after Microsoft Corp. announced the release of its new version of instant messaging software -- Windows Live Messenger. The free program is an upgrade to MSN Messenger, which has about 240 million users worldwide.

    Taylor said in a press release on Monday: "Windows Live Messenger offers people the ability to see, talk and share with family and friends in such a seamless way that puts them in control." Enditem

    (Agencies)