The future of personal computing is changing, and Microsoft's recent major reorganization reflects that. But it also feels confusing.

Microsoft's announcement of its reorganization of the Windows team – effectively breaking up the Window Devices Group – was seen as a surprise by many. For others, the writing had been on the wall for the last few years. While cloud and edge computing bolstered by artificial intelligence (A.I.) sound like buzzwords, many tech companies including Amazon, Facebook, and Microsoft are betting big on them. What does former Windows chief Terry Myerson's departure say about Microsoft's faith in Windows 10 and the future of the consumer market? It's complicated.

Moving towards ambient computing

Microsoft's Windows 10 OS had a rough start a few years ago as the company tried to rebound from Windows 8. That cycle was a repeat of the Windows Vista to Windows 7 situation. and it demonstrates how difficult managing the Windows OS – and predicting what consumers and businesses want – can be. Best VPN providers 2020: Learn about ExpressVPN, NordVPN & more Now in 2018, Windows 10 seems stable. Quarterly growth in PC users is consistent, albeit small. Bi-yearly updates are predictable, if somewhat underwhelming due to unrealistic expectations. In many ways, this is the Windows OS people have wanted for a long time. Unfortunately, the world has changed. The cloud, ambient computing, A.I., and mobile devices now drive innovation. Quantum computing is a reality with machine learning and blockchain building the foundation for the next 30 years of computers. How Microsoft fits into that world is the challenge its CEO Satya Nadella faces. Today's changes, with the creation of an "Experiences & Devices" unit under Executive Vice President Rajesh Jha and the "Cloud + AI" group under Scott Guthrie, reflect that new drive towards where computing (and yes, the money) is headed for Microsoft.

This direction for Microsoft is not so new as the company has been aggressively pushing into these evolving categories for years. The difference now, according to ZDNet's Ed Bott's analysis, is that 65 percent of Microsoft's revenue comes from large corporations and government versus traditional consumers. That "follow the money" strategy is entirely driving these changes. Today's shift of responsibilities solidifies that momentum. The question: Does Windows drive A.I. and the intelligent edge? Or is it the other way around? Microsoft is weaving Cortana and A.I. throughout its products – including Windows – but the foundation of what we understand Windows to be is shifting. That rightly causes trepidation. What about Surface and consumers?