Microsoft Promotes 2, Renames Internet Unit

Microsoft Corp., the world’s largest software maker, said it promoted Jim Allchin to head its Windows operating system unit and Bob Muglia to manage the development of Microsoft Office and related software. The Redmond, Wash.-based company said it also renamed its Internet group simply the Windows division, headed by Richard Belluzzo, as the consumer group and formed a division within it that will focus on Internet access for consumers who want to tap the World Wide Web on all sorts of devices, such as hand-held computers or cell phones. Allchin joined Microsoft in 1990 and led development and marketing efforts for its high-end system software, such as Windows 2000. Muglia, who will also oversee development of software for appliances such as hand-held computers, joined Microsoft in 1988 and had served as senior vice president for Microsoft’s former applications and tools group. Microsoft closed up $1.31 at $96.13 on Nasdaq.