Microsoft's problem is that the marginal advantage of going with its dominant products (Windows and Office) is very low with cloud and mobile devices as opposed to PCs.

Microsoft's strategy of trying to leverage its desktop monopoly in applications to build a similar monopoly(or at least a very strong critical mass in mobile applications) has two critical drawbacks: 1. desktop and mobile applications aren't magically interchangeable, and where they are, desktop users don't like the new interface 2.mobile applications aren't just about functionality, they provide value based on the ecosystem they are connected to. This ecosystem is completely portable among application platforms 3. mobile applications aren't as complex as desktop applications

So I think that the Windows 8 strategy is actually counterproductive.

Nothing about Microsoft's troubles is a surprise. It could have moved aggressively to build new markets but instead it chose to view every opportunity as a way to extend its core products of Windows and Office. If no disruptive technologies came along this might have been a good strategy but we all know the changes in the technology space over the last 10+ years.

Microsoft's core competencies aren't built around blue ocean innovation at all. So changing the strategy will require significant risk. There isn't a magical solution here.