Windows XP Sales Reflect Overwhelming Consumer Excitement

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 11, 2001 — This evening at COMDEX Fall 2001, Microsoft Corp. founder, Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates underscored the incredible demand for the Microsoft® Windows®
XP operating system by announcing that more than 7 million copies of Windows XP have been sold in the two weeks since its global launch. The 7 million copies of Windows XP were sold by Microsoft to computer manufacturers for use on new personal computers and through upgrades and full packaged product sold by retailers throughout the world.

“The appetite of businesses and consumers worldwide for innovative PC technologies is stronger than ever,” Gates said, speaking to a capacity crowd of some 15,000 COMDEX Fall 2001 attendees at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. “In just the two weeks since the global launch of Windows XP, Microsoft has already sold an amazing 7 million copies of Windows XP, which we are incredibly excited about. We believe that Windows XP will light a fire of innovation across the entire high-technology industry.”

Sales of Windows XP by computer manufacturers are over 200 percent higher than sales of Windows 98 in the first month of its availability. Also, Windows XP has been adopted by computer manufacturers faster than any previous operating system. Retail sales of Windows XP have surpassed those of Windows 95 and Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me) by a significant margin. This momentum is expected to grow with the launch of Windows XP in Japan on Nov. 16. Windows XP has also provided a boost in sales across the industry, including personal computer manufacturers, software developers and hardware makers.

“These initial Windows XP sales figures confirm that Windows XP truly represents an amazing opportunity for industry partners,” said Chris Jones, vice president of the Windows Group at Microsoft. “We believe that the momentum of the first few weeks of sales will continue into a great holiday season for the PC industry with consumers buying new personal computers, new Windows XP-compatible software, and cool new devices such as digital cameras and PC video cameras.”

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.

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