Microsoft has now started a new CEO selection task.

Microsoft's Board of Directors is working on the selection of the next CEO, Bloomberg reported. Now, Microsoft's presentation is constantly narrowing the range of candidates. The current exposure is for ebay CEO John Donahoe, Ford Motor Company CEO Alan Mulally, former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop, Microsoft's top 3rd executive Paul Maritz and Microsoft Business Development and Promotion department president Tony Bates. Microsoft, it was revealed, had also been getting advice from Silicon Valley veterans such as Cisco executives, Charles Giancarlo. People familiar with the matter said the timing of the new CEO's announcement would depend on negotiations between Microsoft and the person concerned. While Microsoft may eventually have to wait until next year to announce its final decision, it is certain that the world's largest software company really needs to find the next helm as soon as possible.