Microsoft First to Offer Family of General Business Applications for Microsoft Windows Version 3.0 REDMOND, Wash. -- MAY 22, 1990 -- Microsoft Corporation today announced that each of its Microsoft(R) Windows(TM) applications is fully compatible with the Microsoft Windows graphical environment version 3.0. Three of these products, Microsoft Word for Windows, Microsoft Excel for Windows and Microsoft Project for Windows, are available now. The Microsoft PowerPoint(R) for Windows desktop presentations program is expected to be available June 1990. Microsoft is the first developer to deliver a broad line of full-featured business applications running under the Microsoft Windows environment version 3.0. "With Windows version 3.0, the world of personal computing has crossed an important threshold. Graphical computing is here to stay," said Mike Maples, vice president of applications at Microsoft Corporation. "The strength of our Windows family reflects Microsoft's experience in developing several generations of applications under the graphical user interface. Over the years, we've learned how to build a group of products that implement GUI elegantly, while providing integration never before possible on the PC platform." The current version of each of Microsoft's Windows-based applications is fully compatible with version 3.0. The Windows graphical environment with common menu structures and icons makes these programs easy to learn and use. Features such as the Windows Clipboard and DDE (dynamic data exchange) make it easy to share text, data and graphics between applications. In focus group research conducted by Microsoft, users consistently cited the ability to work with multiple applications and the ability to combine text, graphics and data as the capabilities they most wanted from their business applications. The technology in the Windows environment version 3.0 has enabled Microsoft to develop a family of applications with superior integration features specifically designed to meet this need. Enhanced Applications Integration --------------------------------- The Microsoft family of Windows applications takes advantage of Microsoft Windows version 3.0 enhanced memory management, which enables all four applications to remain open and run simultaneously, to automate all kinds of computing tasks. For example, a user can prepare a report in Microsoft Word that can be automatically updated when new data is entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet linked with that report. Using Microsoft PowerPoint to prepare a presentation based on a Microsoft Word outline or Microsoft Excel spreadsheet eliminates the need to re-enter information. And project-cost information generated using Microsoft Project can be easily transferred into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet for use in completing financial analyses. Microsoft Announces Two New Applications for Windows ---------------------------------------------------- Microsoft Project for Windows, a graphical project management tool announced May 7, exploits the Windows graphical interface to provide project managers with tremendous flexibility and power to manage schedules and resources. The memory management capabilities in version 3.0 allow Microsoft Project for Windows users to work with large and multiple files and still achieve superior performance. Microsoft Project for Windows version 1.0, with a suggested retail price of $695, is available now. Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows, a new desktop presentations program designed especially for the business user, takes full advantage of the performance, memory and color capabilities of Windows version 3.0. PowerPoint provides built-in charting, word processing and drawing tools, and offers access to millions of colors so that users can design professional quality presentations. Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows version 1.0, with a suggested retail price of $495, is expected to be available in June 1990. Microsoft Windows Version 3.0 Brings Even Greater Performance to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel ------------------------------------------------- The overall performance of Microsoft Word for Windows, Microsoft's full-featured, graphical word processor, is dramatically enhanced under the Windows environment version 3.0. Because of the new Windows memory management system, menu response is significantly faster, editing and scrolling in PageView is quicker, and macro execution is two or three times faster than under the previous version. Microsoft Word for Windows version 1.0, with a suggested retail price of $495, has been available since December 1989. Microsoft Excel for Windows version 2.1C also takes advantage of the Windows memory management system and improved interface. The Microsoft Windows version 3.0 protect-mode capability gives Microsoft Excel users access to as much as 16 MB of conventional and extended memory to easily work with huge worksheets. Microsoft Excel for Windows version 2.1C, with a suggested retail price of $495, has been available since March 1990. The 2.1C update, which is required to take advantage of the benefits of the Windows environment version 3.0, is available to any Microsoft Excel owner at no charge. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ "MSFT") develops, markets and supports a wide range of software for business and professional use, including operating systems, languages and application programs, as well as books, hardware and CD-ROM products for the microcomputer marketplace. ### Microsoft, the Microsoft logo and PowerPoint are registered trademarks, and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.