Microsoft said Martin Taylor, a VP in charge of revamping marketing for MSN websites and Windows Live services, has left the company, but did not say why, Bloomberg News reports. "We've made the difficult decision to part ways with Martin Taylor but we don't comment on personnel matters," the company said in an emailed statement.

Taylor, 36, had worked at Microsoft for 13 years and was credited with beating back the threat from the Linux operating system when he was head of platform strategy for the Windows group. At one point, he worked directly with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, according to his Microsoft-provided biography.

Previous Windows Live coverage:

- Microsoft Testing 'Active Search,' Contextual Ads in Mail Desktop
- Microsoft Launches OneCare PC Security Service
- Microsoft Opens up Windows Live Messenger, Offers VoIP
- Microsoft to Spend $1.1 Billion to Catch up with Google
- Microsoft's Live Drive to Challenge Google's Gdrive
- Windows Live Academic Takes on Google Scholar
- Gates: Yes, We Get It, the Future Is Online
- Memo Sets out Microsoft Web Plans, Click to Call Coming
- Microsoft's New Search Engine Challenges Google
- Microsoft's Expo Live Classifieds Service Goes Live
- Microsoft, MCI Partner for Internet Phone Service
- Windows Live Local Now Open for Business
- Microsoft Testing Windows Live Mail
- Microsoft Announces Ad-Supported Web-based Applications