Gates steps down from day role

Updated 14.01 Fri Jun 27 2008

Keywords: Ray Ozzie, Apple, Microsoft, Bill Gates

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates will officially step down from his day-to-day role at the giant US software company.

Gates has indicated that he will dedicate more time to his global health and education work at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation he established with his wife.

Gates leaves Microsoft to wrestle with a fast-changing computer era and growing challenges from internet juggernaut Google and long-time rival Apple

Paul Allen, who teamed up with Gates to start Microsoft in a garage in 1975, will be among those "roasting" his childhood friend at a gala dinner later.

Gates leaves Microsoft to wrestle with a fast-changing computer era and growing challenges from internet juggernaut Google and long-time rival Apple, which makes Macintosh computers.

Three people will essentially fill the void Gates leaves behind at Microsoft.

Gate's job as chief software architect is being handled by Ray Ozzie.

Craig Mundie inherited Gate's chief research and strategy officer duties, while former Harvard University classmate Steve Ballmer is chief executive officer at the software company based in Redmond, Washington.

Gates remains chairman of the Microsoft board of directors and its largest shareholder.