MICROSOFT ENCOURAGES MOVE TO 32-BIT WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEMS

Flexible Plan Makes Licensing Easy for Customers With Mixed and Changing
User Needs

REDMOND, WASH. - JAN. 23, 1996 - Microsoft Corp. has introduced a new
licensing program enhancement to encourage customers to move to its 32-bit
Windows operating systems, and to adjust the mix of operating systems in
their organizations as user needs evolve. This new addition to Microsoft
Select and Open License maintenance programs enables customers to combine
both the Windows NT Workstation and Windows 95 operating systems under a
single upgrade and maintenance license and a single per-desktop price.
This new option simplifies licensing for organizations that expect to use
both 32-bit operating systems over time.

The licensing process is simple. With a single upgrade fee, customers with
existing Windows 3.x, Windows for Workgroups or Windows 95 licenses may
enroll in Windows 32-Bit Family Maintenance. Those who enroll in Windows
32-Bit Family Maintenance may deploy Windows 95 and Windows NT in any
combination for the same per-desktop price. There is no need to track each
product individually since Windows 32-Bit Family Maintenance covers both.
Customers may switch between Windows NT Workstation and Windows 95 at any
time, without having to revise the agreement, track the use of each
operating system, or incur additional costs.

Windows 32-Bit Family Maintenance also provides access during the term of
the agreement to upgrades of both products, including revisions, tune-up
packs and enhancements such as the upcoming Windows 95 shell for Windows
NT Workstation. Customers choosing to deploy Windows 95 also receive
Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95.

"Microsoft recognizes that different customers need different solutions,
especially as hardware capabilities increase," said Bob McDowell, vice
president of the enterprise customer unit at Microsoft. "In response,
we've developed a flexible licensing option and long-term upgrade path for
the mixed-use customer."

The new Windows 32-Bit Family Maintenance plan became available Jan. 1,
1996. Customers with existing Windows NT Workstation licenses under Select
or Open License maintenance automatically gain the additional right to
install either Windows NT Workstation or Windows 95 with Microsoft Plus!
for the duration of the license agreement.  Any customer with 25 or more
PCs, whether or not they are currently enrolled in a maintenance program,
can take advantage of this new flexibility. Customers can contact their
reseller or call Microsoft to determine the best way to enroll.

ACCOMMODATES DESKTOP DIVERSITY

Microsoft's family of 32-bit Windows operating systems embraces a broad
range of enterprise information-technology requirements and user needs.
Products in the family are compatible, share technology, and provide
smooth migration paths to future versions of Microsoft operating systems
and software.

Microsoft Select Maintenance is the largest volume-licensing program of its
kind, with more than 6,000 customers worldwide. Select offers a range of
plans to give customers flexibility, efficiency and value in purchasing
Microsoft products in volume. Select volume licensing options and
maintenance plans exist for both large and small businesses, and include a
range of price advantages. For more information on Select, visit the
Microsoft Select home page at http://www.microsoft.com/select.

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.

TO ENROLL IN WINDOWS 32-BIT FAMILY MAINTENANCE:

Call your reseller or call Microsoft, (800) 426-9400

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on
Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft home page at
http://www.microsoft.com/corpinfo. To receive Microsoft press releases by
fax, please call (800) 859-5915 in the United States or (201) 333-0314
internationally.
 
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