BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Microsoft's executive in charge of its Windows and Web operations, and who was part of the team that led the failed bid to acquire Yahoo Inc. is leaving, the company said Wednesday.

    A source briefed on the matter said Kevin Johnson will become the chief executive at Juniper Networks Inc., which makes equipment for communications networks.

    Johnson had served since 2005 as president of Microsoft's platforms and services division, which included the Windows operating system and Windows Live programs, such as Web e-mail and instant messaging. The division also included online advertising, search and Microsoft's MSN sites.

    Johnson's three years at the helm overlapped with the release of Windows Vista.

    Microsoft will undergo a reorganization, splitting the division that Johnson runs into two groups, one focusing on the Windows operating system and the other on search and other online services.

    Three executives, senior vice presidents Steven Sinofsky, Jon DeVaan and Bill Veghte, working in the Windows division will report directly to Chief Executive Steve Ballmer. Microsoft will search for a new leader for its online services business. In the interim, senior vice presidents Satya Nadella and Brian McAndrews will remain in the lead of engineering and advertiser and publisher solutions.

    “Kevin has built a supremely talented organization and laid the foundation for the future success of Windows and our Online Services Business. This new structure will give us more agility and focus in two very competitive arenas,” Ballmer said in a statement. “It has been a pleasure to work with Kevin, and we wish him well in the future.”

    The departure of Johnson, who worked closely with Ballmer during its on-again, off-again negotiations with Yahoo, is another setback for Microsoft's struggling online business, a field in which the company is trailing Google Inc.

    (Agencies)