• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that

2

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

3

The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises

1

Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that

2

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

3

The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
TechMicrosoft

Microsoft Finds an Unlikely, Vocal Critic: Steve Ballmer

By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 3, 2015, 5:37 PM ET
ITALY-USA-TECHNOLOGY-MICROSOFT-BALLMER
Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.Photo by Gabriel Bouys AFP—Getty Images

Microsoft has had its fair share of critics over the years, but who would have thought Steve Ballmer would be one of them?

In an interview with Bloomberg on Wednesday, the former Microsoft CEO took aim the company’s handling of financial disclosures, among other issues. Ballmer, Microsoft’s largest individual shareholder, critiqued the company’s decision to share a run rate for its cloud business rather than actual revenue.

“It’s bulls–t,” Ballmer told Bloomberg on the sidelines of Microsoft’s annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday. He added that he has brought up his concerns with Microsoft, to no avail.

Microsoft’s decision to share run rates in its financial disclosures instead of actual revenue is a controversial one. Revenue provides a clear picture during a specified period about how a particular business unit is operating. Run rate, however, takes a snapshot of performance at a specific point in time and then extrapolates that over a set period. In Microsoft’s case, it projected a full year of revenue.

In October, the company reported that its cloud revenue would top $8.2 billion on an annualized basis. It added that it was on track to reach a goal of $20 billion by 2018. Microsoft does not report actual sales for its entire cloud operation.

But Ballmer didn’t stop there. According to Bloomberg, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was asked to explain how the company would get more apps to Windows-based mobile devices. Nadella said that a core part of his company’s strategy is to make it easier for developers to create universal apps that could run across all Windows versions, including those on PCs, smartphones, and tablets.

Ballmer, according to Bloomberg, couldn’t stay quiet during Nadella’s response. As his successor was speaking, Ballmer was heard saying that Nadella’s plan “won’t work,” adding that the secret to getting Windows smartphones running more programs is to let them “run Android apps.”

Ballmer’s comments have, of course, caused a stir in Redmond and among shareholders. Since his ouster in 2014, Ballmer has remained largely tight-lipped about Microsoft and his successor. He has focused much of his time on operating his NBA team, the Los Angeles Clippers, and in October, bought a 4% stake in Twitter (TWTR).

Despite the relative silence, Ballmer has long been viewed as one of the company’s most ardent supporters, making his latest comments even more surprising.

Ballmer joined Microsoft (MSFT) in 1980 as its 30th employee. After Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates stepped down as CEO in 2000, Ballmer took over to handle the company’s finances and daily operations. While Gates still played a major role at Microsoft as chairman, he gave up his day-to-day role at the company in 2006, leaving Ballmer in full control. During his tenure as CEO, Ballmer tripled Microsoft’s annual revenue to nearly $78 billion. The company’s profits ballooned to $22 billion during his last full fiscal year as CEO.

Despite seemingly strong financial performance, Ballmer’s reign was soured by Microsoft’s sluggishness to focus on mobile, allowing Google (GOOG) and Apple (AAPL) to establish dominance that the company hasn’t even come close to overcoming. Ballmer was similarly slow to move to the cloud—another burgeoning industry segment—and was roundly criticized by analysts and shareholders for seemingly killing projects that could have hurt the company’s main attractions: Windows and Office.

By 2013, after years of shareholders complaining, Microsoft finally announced that Ballmer would retire, and in early 2014, Nadella took the reigns. Despite Microsoft calling Ballmer’s departure a retirement, analysts widely believe that the board nudged him out to let new ideas filter in.

With Nadella, those new ideas have indeed filtered in. The current Microsoft CEO has written a new mission statement, redirected the company’s focus to “mobile-first, cloud-first,” and took steps that would have never happened during Ballmer’s days, including offering its latest operating system, Windows 10, for free.

Still, Ballmer looms large in Redmond. As owner of over 333 million shares, Ballmer controls more of Microsoft than Gates, who owns 223 million shares. That alone gives him significant clout at Microsoft.

Ballmer has not commented publicly since his statements at the annual meeting. But the very fact that Ballmer—one of the most dedicated Microsoft supporters ever—so publicly spoke out against his former employer, is at the very least remarkable.

For its part, Microsoft isn’t showing any sign of discord with Ballmer. In a statement to Fortune, Microsoft’s general manager for investor relations, Chris Suh, seemed to convey that Ballmer’s comments do not trouble the company, and the software giant is fine with its former chief executive speaking his mind.

“We enjoy a regular dialogue with Steve, and welcome his input and feedback, as we do from our other investors,” Suh said.

For more on Steve Ballmer and his ‘craziest’ moments, check out the following Fortune video:

Sign up for Data Sheet, Fortune’s daily newsletter about the business of technology.

About the Author
By Don Reisinger
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

SpaceX heads into a record-shattering IPO with the ‘deepest moat that exists today’ as investors vow to ‘never bet against Elon’
InnovationIPOs
SpaceX heads into a record-shattering IPO with the ‘deepest moat that exists today’ as investors vow to ‘never bet against Elon’
By Jason MaMay 16, 2026
4 hours ago
tarot
AICulture
We talked to 12 tarot card readers who are using AI. They split in 2 camps, with big implications for the technology
By Ziv Epstein, Farnaz Jahanbakhsh, Vana Goblot and The ConversationMay 16, 2026
6 hours ago
liberman
Commentarystart-ups
We watched social media concentrate. The same thing is happening in AI, only at a deeper layer
By David Liberman and Daniil LibermanMay 16, 2026
7 hours ago
mustafa suleyman
AIMicrosoft
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
8 hours ago
olivier
CommentaryAnthropic
I’ve been studying Big Tech for a long time. What just happened with Anthropic and the Pentagon terrifies me
By Olivier SylvainMay 16, 2026
8 hours ago
bhaskar
Economydisruption
The prophet of the ‘Wired Belt’ says capitalism is finally eating itself
By Bhaskar ChakravortiMay 16, 2026
10 hours ago

Most Popular

Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that
Success
Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that
By Preston ForeMay 13, 2026
3 days ago
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
AI
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
8 hours ago
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
Politics
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
By Jake AngeloMay 12, 2026
4 days ago
Current price of oil as of May 15, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of May 15, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 15, 2026
1 day ago
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
Future of Work
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
12 hours ago
‘You’re not a hero, you’re a liability’: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary warns Gen Z founders to stop glorifying hustle culture
Future of Work
‘You’re not a hero, you’re a liability’: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary warns Gen Z founders to stop glorifying hustle culture
By Jacqueline MunisMay 16, 2026
8 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.