MICROSOFT CONTINUES COMMITMENT TO CROSS-PLATFORM SOLUTIONS; SHIPS MICROSOFT
INTERNET EXPLORER 2.0 FOR WINDOWS 3.1

Version for Windows 3.1 Joins Family of Easy, Fast and Exciting Internet
Clients

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).

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.
 
 =========================================================
 From the 'New Product News' Electronic News Service on...
 AOL (Keyword = New Products) and Delphi (GO COMP PROD)
 =========================================================
 This information was processed from data provided by the
 company/author mentioned. For additional details, please
 contact them directly at the address/phone# indicated.
 Trademarks are the property of their respective owners!
 =========================================================
 All submissions for this service should be addressed to:
 BAKER ENTERPRISES,  20 Ferro Dr,  Sewell, NJ  08080  USA
 Email:   rbakerpc@aol.com   --or--   rbakerpc@delphi.com
 =========================================================
