Viva Windows XP!

LAS VEGAS, June 26, 2001 — In a city that derives its revenues from playing the odds, Microsoft Corp. today provided the industry with a sure bet: Microsoft® Windows® XP. Microsoft and partners from all segments of the industry kicked off a billion-dollar marketing campaign for the next generation of PCs, software and devices that will offer customers the best possible computing experience.

Rick Belluzzo, president and chief operating officer of Microsoft Corp., addressed more than 600 industry leaders at Partner Marketing Day in Las Vegas, sharing Microsoft’s plans for the marketing frenzy behind Microsoft Windows XP and launching an unprecedented campaign for the revolutionary new operating system, including a total of $500 million from Microsoft and Intel Corp. alone to promote Windows XP and Pentium® 4 PCs.

“Never before have we seen such industrywide support and such strong enthusiasm or investment in the launch of a Microsoft product,”
Belluzzo said.
“With release candidate 1 of Windows XP coming in the next 10 days, we are working together with our top software, hardware, channel and retailing partners to communicate the amazing set of experiences delivered with Windows XP.”

“We are delighted to be working with Microsoft on the Windows XP campaign,”
said Ann Lewnes, vice president of Consumer Marketing at Intel.
“A Windows XP-based PC with the Pentium 4 processor is the perfect combination to enable consumers to take advantage of the digital media phenomenon. We will be working with Microsoft to invigorate the industry with these exciting new products.”

Major PC Industry Leaders Rally Behind Windows XP

During the daylong event, Microsoft, along with key industry original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), independent software vendors (ISVs), independent hardware vendors (IHVs), channel partners and retailers, will begin planning marketing activities around the Oct. 25 worldwide launch of the Windows XP operating system.

“Canon’s commitment with Microsoft during the launch of Windows XP will create the most exciting and most successful software, hardware and peripherals experience for businesses and consumers,”
said Kinya Uchida, president and CEO of Canon U.S.A. Inc.
“Canon’s leadership in imaging technologies, which is the foundation for our popular lines of digital camcorders, digital cameras, printers and scanners, will provide users of Windows XP with a comprehensive computing experience and help create a seamless digital world.”

“Beginning with our summer lineup of VAIO PCs, Sony is making all its VAIO notebook and desktop products Windows XP-ready so that our consumers are the first to take advantage of the better computing experience Windows XP has to offer,”
said Mark Hanson, vice president of marketing for VAIO products at Sony Corporation of America.

New Windows Catalog to Showcase High-Quality Products Designed for Windows XP

Microsoft and industry partners are working to provide customers with the most exciting set of experiences in the new age of computing. Microsoft today outlined its plans behind the Windows Catalog and the Designed for Windows Logo Program, designed to provide customers with compatibility information and to showcase quality solutions and hardware designed to work well with their Windows XP-based PCs in areas such as photography, digital media, home networking, communications and mobile solutions.

The Windows Catalog will provide customers with a comprehensive, easy-to-use listing of those products that will work with their Windows XP-based PCs. Customers can access the Windows Catalog from the Windows XP Start menu, Windows XP Help and Support site, and the Microsoft Web site. In addition, top ISVs and IHVs have pledged support for the Designed for Windows Logo Program: a set of tests and standards designed to make it easier for customers to recognize products that will deliver an optimal performance with Windows XP. This will enable customers to walk into a retail store and easily identify which solutions will deliver the best Windows XP computing experiences.

“Adobe is working closely with Microsoft to provide customers with the best Windows computing experience possible,”
said Bruce Chizen, president and CEO of Adobe Systems Inc.
“Windows XP introduces new opportunities for Adobe’s customers to have one unified computing experience that looks great, is reliable and is easier to use and support. The Designed for Windows Logo Program will help customers quickly identify products that are designed for and compatible with this new operating system.”

Companies interested in joining the Designed for Windows Logo Program or wanting to learn about the benefits associated with the program should visit http://www.microsoft.com/winlogo/ .

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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Industry Partners Demonstrate Support for Windows XP

“Adobe is working closely with Microsoft to provide customers with the best Windows computing experience possible. Windows XP introduces new opportunities for Adobe’s customers to have one unified computing experience that looks great, is reliable and is easier to use and support. The Designed for Windows Logo Program will help customers quickly identify products that are designed for and compatible with this new operating system.”

Bruce Chizen
President and CEO
Adobe Systems Inc.

“AMD values its relationship with Microsoft and is pleased to be working with it on marketing initiatives for Windows XP. Microsoft’s Windows XP development team, running in one of the most rigorous development environments in the world, is increasingly using AMD processor-based systems for the development of its operating system. The power of the AMD Athlon processor combined with Windows XP will make using applications such as video editing and speech recognition easy and fun for computer users.”

Ned Finkle
Director of Software Infrastructure Relations
Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

“The launch of Windows XP is the most significant PC industry event in the last 10 years. Autodesk believes that Windows XP is the platform that provides the new computing experiences our customers have been asking for. We are really excited about the Designed for Windows Logo Program because it provides our customers with the assurance that Autodesk products were built to take advantage of the next generation of Microsoft technologies.”

Scott Borduin
Chief Technology Officer
Autodesk Inc.

“Canon’s commitment with Microsoft in the launch of Windows XP will create the most exciting and most successful software, hardware and peripherals experience for businesses and consumers. Canon’s leadership in imaging technologies, which is the foundation for our popular lines of digital camcorders, digital cameras, printers and scanners, will provide users of Windows XP with a comprehensive computing experience and help create a seamless digital world.”

Kinya Uchida
President and CEO
Canon U.S.A. Inc.

“Circuit City is making a strong commitment to our consumers. Beginning today, we’re going to ensure that all Windows-based PCs we sell are configured to allow for an easy transition to Windows XP. When it’s available, all the Windows-based PCs we sell will be running Windows XP. We’re also working closely with Microsoft to help our hardware and software partners be ready for this important launch and ensure today’s products are ready for Windows XP.”

W. Alan McCollough
President and CEO
Circuit City Stores Inc.

“Cisco and Microsoft are collaborating on new technologies, including 802.11b wireless, that enable our customers to deploy Windows XP-based environments quickly and securely across Cisco networks. Together, we provide the availability and reliability needed for today’s Internet business model.”

Steve Steinhilber
Vice President, Strategic Alliances
Cisco Systems Inc.

“Compaq customers purchasing a Windows XP-ready desktop or notebook PC today can be assured of a fast, affordable and easy upgrade experience when the new, breakthrough Windows XP operating system software becomes available on Oct. 25. Close collaboration with Microsoft allows Compaq to provide investment protection to our customers by guaranteeing that the Windows XP-ready PC they purchase today is ready to run Windows XP when it is released in October.”

Jeri Callaway
>Vice President of Desktops, Access
Business Group
Compaq Computer Corp.

“The launch of Microsoft Windows XP is the single most important event in the industry and for our stores this year. CompUSA is thrilled to be a senior partner with Microsoft, ensuring CompUSA’s commitment to provide our customers with leading-edge technology everyday.”

Larry Mondry
COO and President of Stores
CompUSA Inc.

“Dell has been working closely with Microsoft throughout all development phases of Windows XP, and we look forward through our collaboration to the upcoming release to our customers of this innovative and exciting product.”

Jim Totton
Vice President of Software, Client Product Group
Dell Computer Corp.

“Microsoft Windows XP will help bring Gateway’s consumer and business customers exciting new capabilities. Gateway is proud to support Windows XP and to work with Microsoft in this important evolution of the PC.”

Mike Ritter
Vice President of Product Marketing
Gateway Inc.

“HP and Windows XP together are a powerful combination. Specifically, Windows XP complements our personal digital solutions approach to providing a total customer experience — whether sharing music, photos and digital video, or printing images anywhere at any time.”

Sam Szteinbaum
General Manager, North America Consumer Computer Organization
Hewlett-Packard Co.

“Customers are clearly looking for PC vendors to improve the user experience as new products come to market. Windows XP and IBM PC systems will provide significant improvements in many areas, such as wireless and security. We are working closely with Microsoft to ensure our ThinkPad and NetVista models are enabled for Windows XP now, so that customers purchasing our products today will be able to take immediate advantage of the new capabilities of Windows XP.”

Rick McGee
Vice President of Marketing, Personal
Devices Brands
IBM Corp.

“We are delighted to be working with Microsoft on the Windows XP campaign. A Windows XP-based PC with the Pentium 4 processor is the perfect combination to enable consumers to take advantage of the digital media phenomenon. We will be working with Microsoft to invigorate the industry with these exciting new products.”

Ann Lewnes
Vice President of Consumer Marketing
Intel Corp.

“Windows XP represents the most significant operating system release ever from Microsoft. In preparation for this, McAfee is developing high-quality products that meet the Designed for Windows Logo Program requirements. This will ensure that our customers have the quality experience they should expect from Windows XP and McAfee software.”

Doug Cavit
CIO
McAfee.com Corp.

“As POPcast continues to drive the pace of automated video communications for our broadband service provider customers, we look to Windows XP to deliver the best computing experience ever with multimedia software, hardware and peripherals. In anticipation of this, we are developing our products to be part of the Designed for Windows Logo Program so that our customers know that our software works well with Windows XP.”

William Mutual
Chairman and Founder
POPcast Communications Corp.

“Our customers and partners are excited about the release of Windows XP, so they’re glad to know PowerQuest products will support the Windows XP platform. Participation in the Designed for Windows Logo Program shows partners and customers that our products run with Windows XP. PowerQuest DeployCenter™ , PartitionMagic® and Drive Image® support the new platform, making it easy for individual users and enterprises to easily upgrade to Windows XP.”

Kelly Devereaux
Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales
PowerQuest Corp.

“Beginning with our summer lineup of VAIO PCs, Sony is making all of its VAIO notebook and desktop products Windows XP-ready so that our consumers are the first to take advantage of the better computing experience Windows XP has to offer.”

Mark Hansen
Vice President of Marketing for VIAO Products
Sony Corporation of America

“Symantec is enthusiastic to be such an integral part of the Windows XP launch — the most significant operating system launch in Microsoft’s history. We will be taking advantage of Microsoft’s marketing tools for Windows XP to ensure success for both companies. Being featured in the Windows Catalog is a great benefit of the Designed for Windows Logo Program. The Windows Catalog is a showcase for Windows developers to expose their products and applications to the entire Windows customer base.”

Steve Cullen
Senior Vice President, Consumer Product and Client Delivery
Symantec Corp.

“Windows XP, combined with the power and performance of Toshiba’s portable computers, will give customers a fantastic mobile solution. The added security and digital features of this operating system will enable mobile users to encounter a richer computing experience. We are set to support Windows XP, and all Toshiba notebooks that are shipping and equipped with 128 MB of memory will fully support Windows XP when available in October.”

Steve Andler
Vice President of Marketing, Computer Systems Group
Toshiba America Inc.

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