Microsoft Windows 95 Is Available Today at Retail Outlets Worldwide

Windows 95 Makes Computing More Powerful, Yet Simpler and More Fun,
Unlocking the Potential for Everyone

REDMOND, Wash. - Aug. 24, 1995 - It's here. Microsoft Corp. announced that
its Microsoft Windows 95 operating system for personal computers is
available today at tens of thousands of locations worldwide. The new
operating system is also available preinstalled on most new computers sold
beginning today. To help celebrate the launch of Windows 95, NBC's
"Tonight Show" Host Jay Leno will be the featured guest at an industry
event hosted by Microsoft at its Redmond, Wash., campus.

A Windows Upgrade

Windows 95 is the much-anticipated upgrade to the Windows and MS-DOS
operating systems. These desktop operating systems have set a standard for
personal computing, running approximately 80 percent of the world's PCs.

"Windows 95 is about unlocking more of the potential of computing," said
Bill Gates, chairman and CEO at Microsoft. "We are moving into the next
era of computing, with broader communications via e-mail and the online
world, dazzling multimedia and games, and richer educational software.
Windows 95 helps open up this new world. It makes computing easier and
more fun, and will empower people and businesses to do more with computers
than has previously been possible."

Starting today, PC users will be able to obtain Windows 95 at a wide range
of retail outlets worldwide, including software outlets, computer super
stores and consumer-electronics retailers, and mass merchants. Users of
previous versions of Windows can upgrade to Windows 95 for approximately
$109. The upgrade version of the operating system is available in both
floppy-disk and CD-ROM formats. The full Windows 95 product will retail
for approximately $209 and is available in floppy-disk format only. To run
Windows 95, users need a PC with a 386DX or higher processor and at least
4 MB of RAM (8 MB of RAM recommended).Windows 95 is scheduled to be
available in 12 localized languages this month, with others available in
the fall. Both Microsoft and software retailers have worked overtime to
ensure that adequate supplies of the product are available to meet demand,
which some industry analysts expect to be the highest for any software
product so far.

Microsoft has also prepared for the level of customer support necessary to
ease the transition to Windows 95 by PC users. The company has helped
train thousands of retailers and computer manufacturers to install and
support the product. In addition, Microsoft is providing 90 days of
no-charge telephone assistance (from the date of the first support call).
For the first few months following the product release, when call volume
is expected to be at its peak, Microsoft is increasing the hours in which
telephone support will be available for Windows 95 in order to service
more customers. Extended hours are 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. (PDT) Monday through
Friday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (PDT) Saturday and Sunday.(Regular support
hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. [PDT] Monday through Friday.) In addition to
phone support, Microsoft offers a full range of technical information via
the Internet and other online services, as well as a no-charge fax-back
service for tips on commonly asked questions.

Launch Celebration

To celebrate the launch of Windows 95, Microsoft is hosting a major
PC-industry event at the company's Redmond, Wash., campus featuring
"Tonight Show" Host Jay Leno.Microsoft regional offices are tying into the
event via satellite, and PC users can participate online.

"This is an exciting day for Microsoft, the industry and our customers,"
said Brad Silverberg, senior vice president of the personal systems
division at Microsoft. "Three years ago we defined our vision for the next
generation of computing. Now, with the tremendous support of our customers
and the dedication of a lot of hard-working people throughout Microsoft
and the industry, we have delivered.We hope and believe everyone will
enjoy using Windows 95 as much as we enjoyed building it."

The Redmond event also features a keynote address by Bill Gates. Other PC
industry leaders are participating and will demonstrate new hardware and
software that takes advantage of Windows 95 innovations. The 2,500 invited
guests have the opportunity to visit product pavilions on the campus
featuring exhibits of products for Windows 95 from more than 150 vendors.

PC users around the world can view celebration highlights from the launch
event at a special Internet World Wide Web site for Windows 95
(http://www.windows.microsoft.com) that opens today and will remain open
for three weeks. The Web page includes video clips and photos of the event
as well as a complete list of supporting companies and products with
Internet links to their Web pages.

Microsoft has also prepared a half-hour television show that will air
Sunday, Aug. 27, and Monday, Aug. 28, in 70 cities throughout North
America.

Hosted by the star of NBC's "ER," Anthony Edwards, the show will feature
real people and businesses using Windows 95, providing an entertaining
look at the benefits of the product and of computing.

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.
 
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