Windows 95 Announced As Official Name For Microsoft Windows "Chicago"

New Windows 95 Logo Program Represents Software, Peripherals and PCs
Designed for Windows 95

REDMOND, Wash. -- Sept. 8, 1994 -- Microsoft Corporation today announced
Windows 95 as the official name for the next major release of the
Microsoft Windows operating system, previously known by its code name,
"Chicago." The name Windows 95 was chosen to make it easier for consumers
to identify the most current version of Microsoft Windows. Windows 95 was
designed for a wide range of users, from the novice to the expert, to help
make everyday personal computing even easier than before. The name Windows
95 represents the broad scope of today's users of Windows and the new
generation of software and hardware it enables.

"We're seeing a new kind of consumer for personal computer products," said
Doug Schutt, senior vice president at Price Costco. "No longer is it just
the power user who shops for software, hardware or even multimedia CDs,
but rather a variety of customers: families, kids, students and power
users. Windows 95 will make it easier for our consumers to identify the
most current version of Windows."

"More than 60 million copies of Windows have been shipped to date," said
Paul Maritz, senior vice president, systems and technology division at
Microsoft. "From extensive research worldwide, we have found that most
users find our existing version numbering confusing and can't identify the
latest version of Windows. Our customers want products that simplify their
everyday computing, and our goal is to have both the technology and the
name meet that requirement."

Windows 95, targeted for release in the first half of 1995, is designed to
make PCs even easier to use while delivering more performance. Windows 95
is a fully integrated 32-bit operating system, replacing Windows 3.11,
Windows for Workgroups 3.11 and the MS-DOS operating system as the
mainstream desktop operating system. Windows 95 supports features such as
long file names and a revised user-interface design based on extensive
customer usability studies. Windows 95 will run multiple applications
faster, more effectively, and with greater safety than it can today. It is
completely compatible with the products people use today and an even
better platform for the next generation of applications, games, PCs and
peripherals that Windows 95 enables.

Windows 95 is targeted for users performing a variety of tasks, from
customers who have home computers for running recreational and education
applications to those who want to run business and productivity
applications and those who want to work remotely from home.

Windows 95 Logo Program

Microsoft also officially announced today the Windows 95 logo program,
including the new "Designed for Microsoft Windows 95" logo. The logo is
intended to help users easily identify software, hardware and peripherals
that exploit the rich capabilities of the new operating system. Examples
of these new capabilities are Plug and Play and support for 32-bit
applications. While the logo denotes products specifically designed for
Windows 95, it is optional. Existing products for Windows or new products
that are not designed specifically for Windows 95 can still be designated
as "Windows compatible."

"Much of the industry is working very hard and very creatively to develop
products that are not just compatible with Windows but are designed for
Windows 95," said Brad Chase, general manager of the personal systems
division at Microsoft. "Our mission is to help users identify these great
new products and understand these products will be a step beyond what they
are familiar with today."

"With the new Microsoft Windows 95 logo program, our customers will be able
quickly and easily to identify hardware such as peripherals, and desktop
PCs and mobile PCs that we've designed specifically for Windows 95," said
Richard C. Watts, vice president and general manager of the personal
information products group at Hewlett-Packard Company. "Our customers want
products that are designed and tested for Windows 95."

"The Windows 95 logo will signal to customers that our products take full
advantage of Windows 95," said Bruce Brereton, vice president of
development at the Novell applications group at WordPerfect Corporation.
"We expect the logo to be an important way to emphasize our new products
designed specifically for Windows 95."

"We have been working with Microsoft throughout the design and development
of our new series of ATAPI Interface CD-ROM drives that will display the
Windows 95 logo," said Patty Kim, senior marketing manager of data storage
products/CD-ROM at Sony. "Our goal is to drive cutting-edge technology
through standards required to deliver Plug and Play solutions to the
end-user market. Plug and Play ensures seamless integration of computer
peripherals into AT architectures, in addition to higher performance
enabled by Windows 95."

The new Windows 95 logo will represent a single, unified program that is
intended to replace the current Windows logo programs. Licensing of the
new logo is scheduled to begin at the end of 1994. Developers can obtain
more information on the new logo program by contacting the Microsoft
Developer Solutions phone and fax service at (206) 635-2222.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of
products and services for business and personal use, each designed with
the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take
advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft Corp, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399
206-882-8080,  fax: 206-93MSFAX

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