Bill Gates shoots down return to Microsoft

It would have made a delish storyline but Bill Gates is not planning to follow the example set by Steve Jobs and return to the company that he co-founded.

In an interview he gave to an Australian media outlet, Gates dismissed a thinly-sourced piece Fortune ran earlier this month reporting that a "prominent chief executive" said that "he'd heard from someone close to Gates that he might be considering such a move."

Over the years star tech company founders have returned to take over their companies, including Jobs, Michael Dell, and Larry Page. But as for Microsoft, here it is, straight from the horse's mouth:

"I've made the transition to work full-time at the (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) and that will be what I do the rest of my life," Gates said.

"I'm part-time involved with Microsoft, including even being in touch this week to give some of my advice but that's not going to change - the foundation requires all of my energy and we feel we're having a great impact picking good scientists...part-time Microsoft but full-time foundation for all my future."

So that's that. At least for now. However, Microsoft continues to come under pressure from disgruntled investors, increasingly unhappy about the stock's performance. Despite Gates' public professions of disinterest in returning to the fray, this rumor may yet enjoy a Lazarus-like comeback.