REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 21, 2001 — With Microsoft® Windows® XP, the eagerly anticipated next version of the Microsoft Windows operating system, now just weeks away from its widespread availability on Oct. 25, Microsoft Corp. is working with key software and hardware developers to ensure that consumers’ favorite software applications and hardware are compatible with Windows XP, which provides a great experience for customers.
At launch, Windows XP will support approximately 12,000 third-party devices — from scanners and printers to external drives and add-in cards — nearly twice the number supported by Windows 2000 at its launch. Windows XP also will support the vast majority of popular software applications. More than 1,500 new applications and 4,000 existing applications were tested. In addition, Microsoft worked with software vendors to fix more than 900 applications that did not previously work on Windows 2000. As a result of extensive testing in the United States, 90 percent of the 1,500 most popular applications (distributed in North America) will run on Windows XP. An additional 2,000 applications are being tested outside the United States, and initial results show that 80 percent to 95 percent are compatible. In addition, Microsoft has invested more than $150 million on application and device compatibility, research, testing and evangelism for Windows XP. Microsoft has also employed 600 people worldwide to conduct compatibility testing for applications and devices.
“Windows XP makes it simple for anyone to unlock the potential of their PC. It enables great experiences that extend the personal computer to all your devices, helping you accomplish what you want to,”
said Jim Allchin, group vice president of Windows at Microsoft.
“We are continuing to work with partners through the launch of Windows XP and beyond to be certain that current, as well as new, devices and software will continue to extend our customers’ computing experience.”
As a part of the development of Windows XP, Microsoft worked closely with home and business customers to gather feedback on what they valued most in computing. The consistent feedback from customers was that they wanted their operating system to be stable and reliable. Based on this, Microsoft designed Windows XP to be the most dependable operating system ever. To deliver this, certain classes of applications and devices such as some anti-virus software, which are designed specifically for the different versions of operating systems (e.g., Windows Millennium and Windows 2000), needed to be customized for Windows XP. The trade-off of increased reliability vs. compatibility was made in collaboration with hardware and software developers for the long-term benefit of consumers.
Windows XP includes easy-to-use compatibility tools for both developers and users. Key tools for customers include the Program Compatibility Wizard, Hardware Troubleshooters, Windows Update and Dynamic Update services built in to automatically download updated software to improve the set-up experience and provide the most dependable, capable and compatible system for users.
Starting today, Microsoft is making Windows Upgrade Advisor available for download by consumers from the Windows XP Web site, http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/ (Microsoft recommends that only consumers with a high-speed connection download this 35 MB file). Consumers can use the Windows Upgrade Advisor to check their system for compatibilities with their current software applications and hardware devices. This new tool will put more information in the hands of consumers to make the upgrade to Windows XP a great experience.
Microsoft is working with partners to go the extra mile to ensure a great experience with Windows XP. To do that, Microsoft has created the Designed for Windows logo program to establish a higher level of quality for hardware and software performance on Windows XP, with the goal of providing the best experience for users of Windows XP. The program has had widespread support from more than 100 PC industry leaders. There are 600 software applications, hardware devices and PC systems that have received the Designed for Windows logo already, and many more are expected by launch.
“Logitech enthusiastically supports the Windows XP platform, with its power to offer media-rich communication to all users,”
said Collette Bunton, vice president of the Americas Region at Logitech.
“Our audio and video products are ideal devices for taking advantage of this new power, and we have been working closely with Microsoft to help ensure the best possible user experience.”
“We have been working closely with Microsoft to make certain that all our products will be compatible with Windows XP and also pass the Designed for Windows XP Logo requirements,”
said Steve Cullen, senior vice president of Symantec Corp.
“Windows XP is an outstanding platform to support Symantec’s family of Internet security and problem-solving solutions and will ultimately provide users with a high-quality and secure solution.”
About Windows XP
Windows XP — the new standard for efficient dependable computing — gives users the freedom to experience the digital world by building on the momentum of the Internet and digital
media with improvements that increase productivity and provide both business and home users with an easy-to-use and exciting PC experience. Windows XP puts the exciting experiences of the digital age at users’ fingertips by uniting PCs, devices and services and brings the solid foundation of Windows 2000 to home PC users, enhancing reliability, security and performance.
About Microsoft
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.
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