Editing Steve Ballmer (section)

==History with Microsoft==
Ballmer joined [[Microsoft]] on June 11, 1980, and became Microsoft's 30th employee and the first business manager hired by Gates.<ref>{{cite web |title=Steve Ballmer: Chief Executive Officer |website=[[Microsoft]] |url=https://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/steve/default.aspx?tab=biography |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-date=January 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107054933/http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/steve/default.aspx?tab=biography |url-status=live}}</ref>

Ballmer joined Microsoft with a salary of $50,000 plus 10% of the profit he generated and no equity.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hiring Steve Ballmer Was One Of Bill Gates' Early Moves At Microsoft. Now, AI Has Helped Ballmer Surpass Gates On The Billionaire's Index |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hiring-steve-ballmer-one-bill-170208229.html |website=Yahoo |date=July 5, 2024 |access-date=September 20, 2024}}</ref> However, Ballmer's profit-share started to balloon out of control as Microsoft grew. When Dave Marquardt suggested for Microsoft to reorganize as a corporation instead of a private partnership, he proposed that Ballmer own 8% of the company in exchange for cancelling the profit-sharing model. [[Paul Allen]] initially disagreed, but Gates and Allen reached an agreement when Gates agreed to fund an outsized majority of Ballmer's 8% stake.<ref>{{cite web |title=Long-Ago Twist Yields Ballmer A Fortune In Microsoft Stock |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/georgeanders/2014/09/30/long-ago-twist-yielded-ballmer-a-fortune-in-microsoft-stock|website=Forbes |access-date=September 20, 2024}}</ref> When Microsoft was incorporated in 1981, Ballmer owned 8% of the company. In 2003, Ballmer sold 39.3 million Microsoft shares for about $955 million, reducing his ownership to 4%.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2003/may/28/1 |title=Microsoft chief calms investors after selling shares |newspaper=The Guardian |date=May 28, 2003 |access-date=January 12, 2017 |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726020511/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2003/may/28/1 |url-status=live}}</ref> The same year, he replaced Microsoft's [[employee stock option]]s program.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/2003/07/08/cx_aw_0708msft.html |title=Microsoft Loses Its Options |work=Forbes |date=July 8, 2003 |access-date=January 12, 2017 |archive-date=April 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403233013/https://www.forbes.com/2003/07/08/cx_aw_0708msft.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In his first 20 years at the company, Ballmer headed several Microsoft divisions, including operations, operating systems development, and sales and support. In February 1992, he became Executive Vice President for Sales and Support. Ballmer led Microsoft's development of the [[.NET Framework]]. Ballmer was promoted to President of Microsoft in July 1998, making him the ''de facto'' number two after the chairman and CEO, Bill Gates.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/10262853/Microsoft-the-ups-and-downs-of-the-Ballmer-era.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/10262853/Microsoft-the-ups-and-downs-of-the-Ballmer-era.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Microsoft: the ups and downs of the Ballmer era |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |date=August 23, 2013 |access-date=January 17, 2014 |location=London |first=Sophie |last=Curtis}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Chief executive officer (2000–2014)===
[[File:Steve Ballmer MWC 2010.jpg|thumb|upright|Ballmer at the Mobile World Congress 2010]]

On January 13, 2000, Ballmer was officially named the chief executive officer; he would shed the title of president in February 2001.<ref name="ms bio" /><ref name=":0">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/602708.stm |title=Steve Ballmer, friend of Bill |work=BBC News |date=January 13, 2000 |access-date=January 12, 2017 |archive-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528170710/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/602708.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> As CEO, Ballmer handled company finances and daily operations, but Gates remained chairman of the board and still retained control of the "technological vision" as chief software architect.<ref>{{cite web |last=Farber |first=Dan |date=August 26, 2013 |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57600098-75/bill-gates-steve-ballmer-and-the-parting-of-the-ways/ |title=Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer and the Parting of the Ways |website=CNET News |access-date=September 4, 2013 |archive-date=August 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827013318/http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57600098-75/bill-gates-steve-ballmer-and-the-parting-of-the-ways/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Gates relinquished day-to-day activities when he stepped down as chief software architect in 2006, while staying on as chairman, and that gave Ballmer the autonomy needed to make major management changes at Microsoft.<ref name="businessweek1">{{cite news|last=Vance |first=Ashlee |author-link=Ashlee Vance |url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/steve-ballmer-reboots-01122012.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112174846/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/steve-ballmer-reboots-01122012.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |title=Steve Ballmer Reboots |work=Businessweek |date=January 12, 2012 |access-date=June 14, 2013}}</ref>

When Ballmer took over as CEO, the company was fighting an antitrust lawsuit brought on by the U.S. government and 20 states, plus class-action lawsuits and complaints from rival companies. While it was said that Gates would have continued fighting the federal suit, Ballmer sought to settle these, saying: "Being the object of a lawsuit, effectively, or a complaint from your government is a very awkward, uncomfortable position to be in. It just has all downside. People assume if the government brought a complaint that there's really a problem, and your ability to say we're a good, proper, moral place is tough. It's actually tough, even though you feel that way about yourselves."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2013/12/11/for-steve-ballmer-a-lasting-touch-on-microsoft/?iid=SF_F_River |work=CNN |title=For Steve Ballmer, a lasting touch on Microsoft |access-date=December 13, 2013 |archive-date=December 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216195458/http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2013/12/11/for-steve-ballmer-a-lasting-touch-on-microsoft/?iid=SF_F_River |url-status=live }}</ref>

Upon becoming CEO, Ballmer required detailed business justification to approve new products, rather than allowing hundreds of products that sounded potentially interesting or trendy. In 2005, he recruited [[B. Kevin Turner]] from [[Walmart]], who was the president and CEO of [[Sam's Club]], to become Microsoft's chief operating officer.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lohr |first1=Steve |title=Microsoft Shops at Wal-Mart for an Operating Chief |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/05/technology/microsoft-shops-at-walmart-for-an-operating-chief.html |website=The New York Times |date=August 5, 2005 |access-date=February 20, 2017 |archive-date=May 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530060739/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/05/technology/microsoft-shops-at-walmart-for-an-operating-chief.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Turner was hired at Microsoft to lead the company's sales, marketing, and services group and to instill more process and discipline in the company's operations and salesforce.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bass |first1=Dina |title=Microsoft's Nadella Reshapes Top Management as Turner Leaves |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-07/microsoft-s-nadella-reshapes-management-team-as-turner-leaves |website=Bloomberg.com |date=July 7, 2016 |access-date=March 11, 2017 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308121146/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-07/microsoft-s-nadella-reshapes-management-team-as-turner-leaves |url-status=live}}</ref>

Since Bill Gates' retirement, Ballmer oversaw a "dramatic shift away from the company's PC-first heritage", replacing most major division heads in order to break down the "talent-hoarding fiefdoms"; in 2012, this led ''[[Businessweek]]'' to say that the company "arguably [had] the best product lineup in its history". Ballmer drove Microsoft's "connected computing" strategy with acquisitions such as [[Skype]].<ref name="businessweek1" />

Under Ballmer's tenure as CEO, Microsoft's share price stagnated<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/ballmer-era-stock-price-2013-8 |title=Microsoft's Stock Chart Under The Ballmer Era |access-date=June 13, 2018 |archive-date=April 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403233017/https://www.businessinsider.com/ballmer-era-stock-price-2013-8 |url-status=live }}</ref> even as the company's annual revenue surged from $25&nbsp;billion to $70&nbsp;billion, while its net income increased 215% to $23&nbsp;billion, and its gross profit of 75 cents on every dollar in sales was double that of [[Google]] or [[IBM]].<ref name="wsj2"/> With the company's total annual profit growth of 16.4%, Ballmer's tenure at Microsoft surpassed the performances of other well-known CEOs such as [[General Electric]]'s [[Jack Welch]] (11.2%) and [[IBM]]'s [[Louis V. Gerstner Jr.]] (2%).<ref name="businessweek1"/> These gains came from the existing Windows and Office franchises, with Ballmer maintaining their profitability, fending off threats from competitors such as [[Linux]] and other [[Open-source software|open-source]] [[operating system]]s and [[Google Docs]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/johncassidy/2013/08/microsoft-steve-ballmer-and-the-art-of-monopoly.html |title=Steve Ballmer and the Art of Managing a Monopoly – The New Yorker |date=August 26, 2013 |publisher=newyorker.com |access-date=August 26, 2015 |archive-date=March 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327133145/http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/johncassidy/2013/08/microsoft-steve-ballmer-and-the-art-of-monopoly.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Ballmer also built half a dozen new businesses,<ref name="wsj2"/> such as the data centers division and the [[Xbox]] entertainment and devices division ($8.9&nbsp;billion),<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-21/microsoft-unveils-new-xbox-in-widening-home-entertainment-battle.html |title=Microsoft Unveils New Xbox in Bid to Lead Home Entertainment |author1=Dina Bass |author2=Cliff Edwards |name-list-style=amp |publisher=[[Bloomberg News]] |date=May 21, 2013 |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 11, 2017 |archive-date=July 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730005638/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-21/microsoft-unveils-new-xbox-in-widening-home-entertainment-battle.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Fortune">[http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2013/12/11/for-steve-ballmer-a-lasting-touch-on-microsoft/?iid=SF_F_River Fortune] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216195458/http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2013/12/11/for-steve-ballmer-a-lasting-touch-on-microsoft/?iid=SF_F_River |date=December 16, 2013 }}</ref> and oversaw the acquisition of Skype. Ballmer also constructed the company's $20&nbsp;billion Enterprise Business, consisting of new products and services such as [[Microsoft Exchange Server|Exchange]], [[Windows Server]], [[History of Microsoft SQL Server|SQL Server]], [[SharePoint]], System Center, and [[Dynamics CRM]], each of which initially faced an uphill battle for acceptance but have emerged as leading or dominant in each category.<ref name="Fortune"/> This diversified product mix helped to offset the company's reliance on PCs and mobile computing devices as the company entered the [[post-PC era]]; in reporting quarterly results during April 2013, while [[Windows Phone 8]] and [[Windows 8]] had not managed to increase their market share above single digits, the company increased its profit 19% over the previous quarter in 2012, as the Microsoft Business Division (including [[Office 365]]) and Server and Tools division (cloud services) are each larger than the Windows division.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bott |first=Ed |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/apple-versus-microsoft-the-ticker-tape-tells-the-tale/ |title=Apple versus Microsoft: the ticker tape tells the tale |work=ZDNet |date=April 26, 2013 |access-date=June 14, 2013 |archive-date=October 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020160216/http://www.zdnet.com/apple-versus-microsoft-the-ticker-tape-tells-the-tale-7000014556/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="wsj2">Ovide, Shira. (August 25, 2013) [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324906304579035141246779898 "Next CEO's Biggest Job: Fixing Microsoft's Culture"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404003540/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324906304579035141246779898 |date=April 4, 2023 }}. ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''. Retrieved on September 4, 2013.</ref>

Ballmer attracted criticism for failing to capitalize on several new consumer technologies, forcing Microsoft to play catch-up in the areas of tablet computing, smartphones and music players with mixed results.<ref name="businessweek1" /><ref name="wsj2" /> According to ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', under Ballmer's watch, "In many cases, Microsoft latched onto technologies like smartphones, touchscreens, 'smart' cars and wristwatches that read sports scores aloud long before Apple or Google did. But it repeatedly killed promising projects if they threatened its cash cows [Windows and Office]."<ref name="wsj2"/> Ballmer was even named one of the worst CEOs of 2013 by the [[BBC]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20131212-the-worst-ceos-of-2013 |title=Worst CEOs of 2013 |access-date=June 13, 2018 |archive-date=March 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190314031712/http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20131212-the-worst-ceos-of-2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result of these many criticisms, in May 2012, hedge fund manager [[David Einhorn (hedge fund manager)|David Einhorn]] called on Ballmer to step down as CEO of Microsoft. "His continued presence is the biggest overhang on Microsoft's stock," Einhorn said in reference to Ballmer.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hedge Fund Star Einhorn Calls for Microsoft's Ballmer to Go|agency=Reuters|publisher=Fox Business|url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/2011/05/26/hedge-fund-star-einhorn-calls-microsofts-ballmer/#ixzz27Bx2W6m5|access-date=September 22, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116121416/http://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/2011/05/26/hedge-fund-star-einhorn-calls-microsofts-ballmer/#ixzz27Bx2W6m5|archive-date=January 16, 2013}}</ref> In a May 2012 column in ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine, Adam Hartung described Ballmer as "the worst CEO of a large publicly traded American company", saying he had "steered Microsoft out of some of the fastest growing and most lucrative tech markets (mobile music, headsets and tablets)".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamhartung/2012/05/12/oops-5-ceos-that-should-have-already-been-fired-cisco-ge-walmart-sears-microsoft/3/ |work=Forbes |first=Adam |last=Hartung |title=Oops! Five CEOs Who Should Have Already Been Fired (Cisco, GE, WalMart, Sears, Microsoft) – Forbes |access-date=September 15, 2017 |archive-date=September 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908074957/https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamhartung/2012/05/12/oops-5-ceos-that-should-have-already-been-fired-cisco-ge-walmart-sears-microsoft/3/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2009, and for the first time since Bill Gates resigned from day-to-day management at Microsoft, Ballmer delivered the opening keynote at [[Consumer Electronics Show|CES]].<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/jan/08/steve-ballmer-ces-keynote |title=Ballmer unveils Windows 7 at CES |work=The Guardian |date=January 8, 2009 |access-date=January 12, 2017 |archive-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204035755/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/jan/08/steve-ballmer-ces-keynote |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Steve Ballmer - MIX 2008.jpg|thumb|Ballmer at [[MIX (Microsoft)|MIX]] in 2008]]

As part of his plans to expand on [[Computer hardware|hardware]], on June 19, 2012, Ballmer revealed Microsoft's first ever computer device, a tablet called [[Microsoft Surface]] at an event held in Hollywood, Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2012/06/18/microsoft-live-from-hollywood |work=Forbes |first=Eric |last=Savitz |title=Microsoft: Live From Hollywood! Introducing Microsoft Surface Tablet (Updated) |access-date=September 15, 2017 |archive-date=November 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113010431/https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2012/06/18/microsoft-live-from-hollywood |url-status=live }}</ref> He followed this by announcing the company's purchase of [[Nokia]]'s mobile phone division in September 2013,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.co.uk/information-technology/2017/06/microsoft-hardware-company-steve-ballmer/|title=Steve Ballmer: We should have turned Microsoft into a "world-class hardware company"|date=May 31, 2017|access-date=November 12, 2017|archive-date=November 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113060103/https://arstechnica.co.uk/information-technology/2017/06/microsoft-hardware-company-steve-ballmer/|url-status=live}}</ref> his last major acquisition for Microsoft as CEO.

On August 23, 2013, Microsoft announced that Ballmer would retire within the next 12 months. A special committee that included Bill Gates would decide on the next CEO.<ref>Chaudhuri, Saabira (August 23, 2013). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324165204579030611858818656 "Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to Retire Within 12 Months"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209051426/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324165204579030611858818656/ |date=February 9, 2017 }}. ''The Wall Street Journal''.</ref>

There was a list of potential successors to Ballmer as Microsoft CEO, but all had departed the company: [[Jim Allchin]], [[Brad Silverberg]], [[Paul Maritz]], [[Nathan Myhrvold]], [[Greg Maffei]], [[Pete Higgins (businessman)|Pete Higgins]], [[Jeff Raikes]], [[J. Allard]], [[Robbie Bach]], Bill Veghte, [[Ray Ozzie]], [[Bob Muglia]] and [[Steven Sinofsky]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Woody|first=Leonhard|title=Microsoft's 13 worst missteps of all time|url=http://www.infoworld.com/d/microsoft-windows/microsofts-13-worst-missteps-of-all-time-210521|date=January 14, 2013|work=InfoWorld|access-date=January 12, 2017|archive-date=August 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829005423/http://www.infoworld.com/d/microsoft-windows/microsofts-13-worst-missteps-of-all-time-210521?|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Leonhard |first=Woody |url=http://www.infoworld.com/t/technology-business/game-of-thrones-the-men-who-would-be-ballmer-207313 |title=Game of thrones: The men who would be Ballmer |work=InfoWorld |date=November 19, 2012 |access-date=June 14, 2013 |archive-date=May 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513164536/http://www.infoworld.com/t/technology-business/game-of-thrones-the-men-who-would-be-ballmer-207313 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[B. Kevin Turner]], Microsoft's [[Chief Operating Officer]] (COO), was considered by some to be a ''de facto'' number two to Ballmer, with Turner having a strong grasp of business and operations but lacking technological vision.<ref>Turner, Kevin. [https://money.cnn.com/gallery/technology/2013/08/26/microsoft-ceo-ballmer-replacements.fortune/6.html "Who will succeed Steve Ballmer at Microsoft?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213185602/http://money.cnn.com/gallery/technology/2013/08/26/microsoft-ceo-ballmer-replacements.fortune/6.html |date=December 13, 2013 }} ''Fortune'' / CNN. Retrieved September 4, 2013.</ref> On February 4, 2014, [[Satya Nadella]] succeeded Ballmer as CEO.<ref name=nadella/>

===Public image===
Although as a child he was so shy that he would hyperventilate before [[Hebrew school]],<ref name="leibovich20001231"/> Ballmer is known for his energetic and exuberant personality, which is meant to motivate employees and partners,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09/11/ballmer_iphone_bing_win_7_ad|title=Ballmer garnishes Bing 2.0 with iPhone 'stomp': Return of the Kool-Aid kid|author=Gavin Clarke|year=2009|work=The Register|access-date=April 23, 2010|archive-date=May 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100512182206/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09/11/ballmer_iphone_bing_win_7_ad/|url-status=live}}</ref> shouting so much that he needed surgery on his vocal cords.{{r|leibovich20001231}}

Ballmer's excited stage appearances at Microsoft events were widely circulated on the Internet as [[viral video]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.onsoftware.com/the-best-and-worst-of-barmy-steve-balmer/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603051704/http://en.onsoftware.com/the-best-and-worst-of-barmy-steve-balmer/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 3, 2010|title=The best and worst of barmy Steve Balmer|author=Nicholas Mead|year=2010|access-date=November 27, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/01/06/microsoft_slate|title=Ballmer readies slate PC for CES: Monkey boy to hurl spoiler at Apple?|author=John Oates|year=2010|work=The Register|access-date=April 23, 2010|archive-date=May 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100512182222/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/01/06/microsoft_slate/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2385972,00.asp?kc=PCRSS03079TX1K0000585|title=Microsoft Needs to Check Itself|author=John C. Dvorak|work=PC Magazine|access-date=June 12, 2011|date=May 26, 2011|archive-date=March 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314201910/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2385972,00.asp?kc=PCRSS03079TX1K0000585|url-status=live}}</ref> One of his earliest known viral videos was a parody video, produced for Microsoft employees in 1986, promoting [[Windows 1.0]] in the style of a [[Crazy Eddie]] commercial.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/steve-ballmers-9-craziest-moments|title=9 Craziest Steve Ballmer Moments|date=August 23, 2013|access-date=November 12, 2017|archive-date=November 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113004421/https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/steve-ballmers-9-craziest-moments|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/nov/15/microsoft-windows-system-apps|title=Has Microsoft's Windows had its day?|first=Charles|last=Arthur|date=November 15, 2010|website=the Guardian|access-date=November 12, 2017|archive-date=November 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113003544/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/nov/15/microsoft-windows-system-apps|url-status=live}}</ref> Ballmer and [[Brian Valentine]] later repeated this in a spoof promotion of [[Windows XP]].

A widely circulated video was his entrance on stage at Microsoft's 25th anniversary event in September 2000,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wallstreetinsanity.com/steve-ballmers-top-11-craziest-moments/|title=Steve Ballmer's Top 11 Craziest Moments|website=wallstreetinsanity.com|date=July 12, 2013|last=Cortez|first=Samantha|access-date=November 12, 2017|archive-date=November 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113060142/http://wallstreetinsanity.com/steve-ballmers-top-11-craziest-moments/|url-status=live}}</ref> where Ballmer jumped across the stage and shouted, "I love this company!"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/8041510/Who-is-Steve-Ballmer.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/8041510/Who-is-Steve-Ballmer.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Who is Steve Ballmer?|first=Claudine|last=Beaumont|date=October 5, 2010|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=McNamara |first1=Paul |title=Replaying Ballmer's whacky Windows 1.0 ad and explaining 'except in Nebraska' |url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/3006537/replaying-ballmer-s-whacky-windows-1-0-ad-and-explaining-except-in-nebraska.html |access-date=December 3, 2020 |work=Buzzblog |publisher=NetworkWorld |date=November 19, 2015 |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120234133/https://www.networkworld.com/article/3006537/replaying-ballmer-s-whacky-windows-1-0-ad-and-explaining-except-in-nebraska.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Another viral video was captured at a [[Windows 2000]] developers' conference, featuring a visibly perspiring Ballmer repeatedly chanting the word "developers".<ref>{{cite news|last=Wakabayashi|first=Daisuke|title=Ballmer becomes lone voice at Microsoft's helm|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-microsoft-ballmer-idUSN2634300220080629|work=Reuters|access-date=December 6, 2012|date=June 29, 2008|archive-date=March 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311173712/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-microsoft-ballmer-idUSN2634300220080629|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/03/15/ballmers-visage-evoked-for-developers-developers-developers|title=Ballmer's visage evoked for 'developers, developers, developers' demo app on Windows Phone 7 Series|author=Chris Ziegler|year=2010|work=Engadget|access-date=April 23, 2010|archive-date=March 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323013918/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/15/ballmers-visage-evoked-for-developers-developers-developers/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Relationship with Bill Gates===
Ballmer was Gates' [[best man]] at his wedding to [[Melinda French]], and the two men described their relationship as a marriage. They were so close for years that another Microsoft executive described it as a [[mind meld]]. Combative debates—a part of Microsoft's corporate culture—that many observers believed were personal arguments occurred within the relationship; while Gates was glad in 2000 that Ballmer was willing to become CEO so he could focus on technology,{{r|leibovich20001231}} ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' reported that there was tension surrounding the transition of authority. Things became so bitter that, on one occasion, Gates stormed out of a meeting after a shouting match in which Ballmer jumped to the defense of several colleagues, according to an individual present at the time. After the exchange, Ballmer seemed "remorseful", the person said. Once Gates leaves, "I'm not going to need him for anything. That's the principle", Ballmer said. "Use him, yes, need him, no".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121261241035146237?mod=googlenews_wsj&apl=y&r=125394|title=Gates-Ballmer Clash Shaped Microsoft's Coming Handover|author=Robert A. Guth|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=June 5, 2008|date=June 5, 2008|archive-date=February 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225085005/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121261241035146237?mod=googlenews_wsj&apl=y&r=125394|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2014, a few months after Ballmer left his post at Microsoft, a ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' profile stated that Ballmer and Gates no longer talk to each other due to animosity over Ballmer's resignation.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=McLean|first1=Bethany|title=The Empire Reboots|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/business/2014/11/satya-nadella-bill-gates-steve-ballmer-microsoft#|magazine=Vanity Fair|access-date=October 8, 2014}}</ref> In a November 2016 interview, Ballmer said he and Gates have "drifted apart" ever since, saying that they always had a "brotherly relationship" beforehand.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/why-steve-ballmer-and-bill-gates-have-drifted-apart-2016-11|title=Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates have 'drifted apart' since Ballmer left Microsoft|website=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=November 12, 2017|archive-date=October 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025000059/http://uk.businessinsider.com/why-steve-ballmer-and-bill-gates-have-drifted-apart-2016-11|url-status=live}}</ref> He said that his push into the hardware business, specifically [[smartphone]]s, which Gates did not support, contributed to their relationship breakdown.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-04/steve-ballmer-says-smartphones-broke-his-relationship-with-bill-gates|title=Steve Ballmer Says Smartphones Strained His Relationship With Bill Gates|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=November 4, 2016|via=www.bloomberg.com|access-date=November 12, 2017|archive-date=November 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113003358/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-04/steve-ballmer-says-smartphones-broke-his-relationship-with-bill-gates|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Retirement===
After saying in 2008 that he intended to remain CEO for another decade, Ballmer announced his retirement in 2013, after losing billions of dollars in acquisitions and on the Surface tablet. Microsoft's stock price rebounded on the news.<ref>[https://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/08/27/ballmer_time_to_go/ "Why Teflon Ballmer had to go: He couldn't shift crud from Windows 8, Surface"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116092647/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/08/27/ballmer_time_to_go/ |date=November 16, 2018 }}.</ref>

Ballmer says that he regretted the lack of focus on [[Windows Mobile]] in the early 2000s, leaving Microsoft a distant third in the smartphone market [in 2013].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24178512 |title=Microsoft too slow on phones, admits boss Steve Ballmer |date=September 20, 2013 |work=BBC News |access-date=September 20, 2013 |archive-date=April 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403234432/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24178512 |url-status=live }}</ref> Moreover, he attributed the success of the expensively-priced [[iPhone]]s to carrier subsidies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.recode.net/2016/11/7/13548032/steve-ballmer-apple-iphone-bloomberg|title=Steve Ballmer says Apple's iPhone succeeded because of carrier subsidies. He's wrong.|first=Ina|last=Fried|date=November 7, 2016|access-date=November 8, 2016|archive-date=March 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330093630/https://www.recode.net/2016/11/7/13548032/steve-ballmer-apple-iphone-bloomberg|url-status=live}}</ref> He went on to say,{{Blockquote|People like to point to this quote where I said iPhones will never sell, because the price at $600 or $700 was too high. And there was a business model innovation by Apple to get it essentially built into the monthly cellphone bill.}} Ballmer called the acquisition of the mobile phone division of [[Nokia]] his "toughest decision" during his tenure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alphr.com/news/387415/ballmer-nokia-buy-was-hardest-decision-at-microsoft|title=Ballmer: Nokia buy was hardest decision at Microsoft|work=Alphr |date=March 5, 2014 |access-date=November 12, 2017|archive-date=May 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514124531/https://www.alphr.com/news/387415/ballmer-nokia-buy-was-hardest-decision-at-microsoft/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ballmer hosted his last company meeting in September 2013,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24301733|title=Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer dances at tearful send-off|date=September 27, 2013|work=BBC News|access-date=September 27, 2013|archive-date=September 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927140524/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24301733|url-status=live}}</ref> and stepped down from the company's board of directors in August 2014.<ref>{{cite news |first=Alex |last=Wilhelm |title=Steve Ballmer Steps Down From Microsoft's Board |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/08/19/ballmer-steps-down-from-microsofts-board/?ncid=pushup |work=Techcrunch |date=August 19, 2014 |access-date=August 19, 2014 |archive-date=August 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821210122/http://techcrunch.com/2014/08/19/ballmer-steps-down-from-microsofts-board/?ncid=pushup |url-status=live }}</ref>

On December 24, 2014, the ''[[Seattle Times]]'' reported that the [[Microsoft v. Internal Revenue Service|IRS sued]] Ballmer, [[Craig Mundie]], [[Jeff Raikes]], [[Jim Allchin]], Orlando Ayala and David Guenther in an effort to compel them to testify in Microsoft's corporate tax audit. The IRS had been looking into how Microsoft and other companies deal with [[transfer pricing]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2025308578_microsoftirsxml.html|title=IRS demands Ballmer, other Microsoft leaders testify in corporate tax audit &#124; The Seattle Times|publisher=seattletimes.com|access-date=August 26, 2015|archive-date=December 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226032941/http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2025308578_microsoftirsxml.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, he and his wife co-founded [[Ballmer Group]], a philanthropic investment company that aims to help children, particularly those in poor families, achieve [[economic mobility]].<ref name=":1" />

In December 2023, ''[[CNN]]'' estimated that Ballmer was set to collect $1 billion in dividends from his ongoing ownership of Microsoft stock, after the company announced an increase in its dividend to $3 per share.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buchwald |first=Elisabeth |date=December 27, 2023 |title=Steve Ballmer is set to make $1 billion a year for doing nothing {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/business/investing/steve-ballmer-one-billion-dividends/index.html |access-date=December 27, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=December 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227181247/https://www.cnn.com/business/investing/steve-ballmer-one-billion-dividends/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>