MICROSOFT OCTOBER BETA RELEASE OF WINDOWS NT SUPPORTS FLOPTICAL TECHNOLOGY

Cupertino, CA -- November 16, 1992 -- The Floptical@) Technology
Association (FTA) announced that Microsoft Corporation, Redmond,
Washington, is providing driver support for the 3.5-inch 21 megabyte (MB)
Floptical diskette technology in its release of Windows NT.

Microsoft disclosed that driver support for Floptical diskette technology
is included for the first time in the October beta release of Windows NT.
The retail release of Windows NT is planned for the first quarter of
1993.

Steve Timm, technical evangelist for Storage for Microsoft's Systems
Marketing group, said, "The Floptical drive's 21MB capacity coupled with
its downward compatibility with the installed base of 720KB and 1.44MB
floppies offers a good alternative for enhanced on-line storage.
SCSI-based devices like the Floptical drive are readily supported by
Windows NTs SCSI subsystem."

Jim Milligan, FTA chairman and program manager for advanced diskette
technologies at 3M, an FTA charter member, said, "We're gratified by
Microsoft's recognition of user needs regarding very high capacity floppy
technology. This further reinforces the trend toward Floptical diskette
technology. This means today's users can advance floppy disk capacity and
performance, helped by Microsoft's leading edge productivity products."

Windows NT provides driver support for a broad range of SCSI peripherals.
Microsoft's driver support for Floptical diskette technology complements
the range of SCSI host adapters and associated products offered by more
than two dozen companies, led by FTA members Adaptec, Future Domain and
Rancho Technology.

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.

Floptical Technology Association
21710 Stevens Creek Blvd, Suite 220, Cupertino, CA 95014
408-446-0407;  fax: 408-446-0450

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