<p>By Rex Crum, MarketWatch Panos Panay of Microsoft Corp. unveils the Surface Pro 2 tablet computer in New York, on Sept. 23, 2013.</p><p>SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) When Microsoft Corp. last reported quarterly earnings, on July 18, the software giant had only just implemented its massive corporate restructuring plan, the effects of which weren't reflected in that report.</p><p>But when Microsoft /quotes/zigman/20493/delayed/quotes/nls/msft MSFT +3.47% delivers its first-quarter report after the close of trading Thursday, it will be doing so at a time when the market is not just looking for updates on how the company's reorganization is progressing, but also any insight into who might replace Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, who announced his retirement in August, as well as Microsoft's $7.2 billion gamble in acquiring Nokia Corp.'s /quotes/zigman/162154/delayed/quotes/nls/nok NOK +2.79% mobile-handset business.</p><p>It will also be the first time Microsoft reports results under a new structure consisting of two categories: Devices and Consumer, and Commercial. Devices and Consumer will contain three segments, hardware, licencing and other, while the Commercial category will encompass licensing and other segments.</p><p><a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/microsoft-results-come-in-time-of-uncertainty-2013-10-24">Keep reading...</a></p>