SAN JOSE, Calif., April 30, 1996 — Delivering on its commitment to cross-platform support, Microsoft Corp. today released Microsoft® Internet Explorer version 2.0 for the Windows® 3.1 operating system. Users of Windows 3.1 can now access the Internet with a high-speed, feature-rich Web browser for a 16-bit environment. This no-cost browser is easy to use and will allow users of Windows 3.1 to view the latest pages on the Internet, access various Internet newsgroups, and send and receive Internet e-mail. The delivery of Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 for Windows 3.1, along with the recent shipment of Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 for the Macintosh® , marks Microsoft’s dedication to providing Web browser support for popular platforms such as Windows 95 and the Windows NT®
operating system, the Macintosh and Windows 3.1.
“Our goal was to provide full support to all of our customers for Windows and to provide users of Windows 3.1 great overall functionality in a 16-bit browser,”
said Brad Silverberg, senior vice president of the Internet platform and tools division at Microsoft.
”
Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 for Windows 3.1 offers users a chance to get their feet wet on the Internet while they make the transition to a 32-bit environment and the new capabilities that ActiveX
™technologies bring to the Web.”
“We have teamed with Microsoft as part of our quest to always bring MCI One customers the best services available,”
said John Donoghue, vice president of marketing at MCI.
“MCI One customers will be among the first in the world to have access to the new Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 for Windows 3.1.”
Fast, Easy and Exciting
Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 for Windows 3.1 offers high-speed Web performance to users of Windows 3.1, based on progressive rendering, Fast Connect and Fast Text. Progressive rendering allows Microsoft Internet Explorer to display graphics quickly in low resolution, then improves the image quality over time as the user stays connected. Fast Connect, when used with Web servers that support HTTP Keep-Alive, allows Microsoft Internet Explorer to maintain an open connection to the Web site for multiple downloads, saving the user time. Microsoft Internet Explorer also uses Fast Text, which allows text to be displayed before downloading slow-loading graphics. These features give users the ability to get the information they need more quickly.
Microsoft Internet Explorer for Windows 3.1 is based on the standard Windows interface, making it easier for new users to get started browsing the Web. The common user interface, in conjunction with an online tutorial and search engine, gives new users the familiarity and help they need to get started. In addition, the version for Windows 3.1 includes the popular Favorites menu found on the other versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer, allowing users to organize and store their favorite Web sites for easy recall.
Support for HTTP-Cookies allows users to create their own customized Web home pages by accessing the customizable features on the home page of MSN
™
, The Microsoft Network, at http://www.MSN.com/. Users can get instant updates on their favorite stocks, link to favorite pages, add cartoons, see news in their fields of special interest, and add other customized features.
Compatible, Safe
Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 for Windows 3.1 is fully compatible with a broad range of Internet standards, including HTML 2.0 and 3.0 tags, NNTP newsreading, HTTP-Cookies, FTP and Gopher protocols, and SMTP for sending e-mail.
Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 for Windows 3.1 also provides support for Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) 2.0, allowing users to access the Internet with confidence.
Browser Component Delivery, International Support
Microsoft offers users the option of selecting the level of browser functionality that best meets their needs. Microsoft is delivering the base browser component of Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 today, followed by two enhanced versions scheduled for the end of May. In addition to the base browser, users will be able to download a second version that includes the browser plus an Internet e-mail client and newsreader, and a third version that includes the browser, Internet e-mail client and newsreader, plus a TCP/IP protocol stack PPP dialer, and Sign-Up Wizard.
With Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0, users of Windows 3.1 around the world can now take advantage of the more than 8,000 Web sites that are currently optimized for viewing with Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0. Microsoft Internet Explorer for Windows 3.1 is available in U.S. English today, with 19 localized language versions in development: Chinese (Simple), Chinese (Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hangeul, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Portugese (Iberian), Russian, Spanish and Swedish. Most foreign language versions are scheduled to be available by mid-1996.
Developed in Cooperation With Industry Leaders
Microsoft developed Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 for Windows 3.1 in cooperation with leading Internet companies FTP Software and Shiva Corp. These companies collaborated with Microsoft to bring the great features in Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 to the broad base of users of Windows 3.1.
“The large installed base of users of Windows 3.1 requires reliable, easy-to-use Internet solutions,”
said Penny Leavy, vice president of sales and marketing for FTP Software.
“We are delighted that Microsoft has chosen FTP Software for our PPP protocol stack and technology related to the Internet browser and mail client for use in Microsoft Internet Explorer version 2.0. This cooperation furthers FTP Software’s market leadership position in providing high-quality, open-connectivity standards-based technology for use in networks and intranets.”
“The Internet is about being able to access and transmit information from anywhere on the planet,”
said Angelo Santinelli, vice president of marketing at Shiva Corp.
“Microsoft Internet Explorer is a great Internet browser, and our open remote-access client technology provides its users the best and broadest access to information.”
Availability and System Requirements
Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 for Windows 3.1 (base browser) is available now for downloading over the Internet at no charge (other than the cost of connect time, if any) at the Microsoft Internet Explorer Web site, http://www.microsoft.com/ie/. The enhanced versions are scheduled to be available on the Web page by the end of May. The software requires a 386 or higher CPU running Windows 3.1 or higher, 8 MB of RAM, 2 MB to 4 MB of hard disk space, and a modem (14.4 bps or faster is recommended for optimum performance).
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) 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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