Later Monday, Microsoft announced the promotion of the head of Microsoft France, Eric Boustouller, to a newly created post as Corporate Vice President for Western Europe, where he will be responsible for the company's activities in fourteen countries. He will report to Jean-Philippe Courtois, Microsoft's President of International.

Boustouller is replaced as head of Microsoft France by Alain Crozier, previously CFO for Microsoft's worldwide sales, marketing and services group with responsibility for over 100 countries. Crozier, too, will report to Courtois.

Microsoft typically announces such staff changes at the end of its fiscal year, said Vanbremeersch, adding that there was absolutely no link between the announcements and the tax inspection.