"Actually the desktop search and the Internet search are separate, so Vista's a huge breakthrough in this desktop search. So there, it's very big. In terms of the browser, you get to pick your search provider. We've got Live.com that is moving ahead of Google in a lot of ways and we want people to try out. But that's a separate competition."
And in that race…
"People should go try Live.com and tell us what they think. Absolutely we're very committed to doing the world's best search product."
Gates plans to leave his position at Microsoft in July of next year….but will continue to work on some projects assigned to him by CEO Steve Ballmer part time. What might those be?
"Well we've got more than a year to decide what those will be. It's very possible that things like tablet or search or new ways of doing programming are the things he'll pick…but it's really up to him."
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates who spoke to us by phone from Europe. Bloomberg Boot Camp, I'm Fred Fishkin.