Microsoft Windows Designed and Optimized for Networks

NEW YORK -- MAY 22, 1990 -- Microsoft(R) Windows(TM) version 3.0, the
latest release of Microsoft's graphical windowing environment for MS-
DOS(R)-based personal computers, has been architected to integrate
"network awareness" throughout the product, the company announced
today. Better memory management, network compatibility and improved
access to network resources were incorporated to optimize the Windows
platform for corporate workstations.

"Connectivity is a growing requirement for all our customers," said
Bill Gates, chairman and chief executive officer of Microsoft
Corporation. "With version 3.0, LAN-based users can experience the
full productivity benefits of the powerful Windows support and
intuitive user interface, while also making better use of their
network resources."

Memory Manager Provides Room for Networking Software
----------------------------------------------------

By tapping into the microprocessor's protected mode, version 3.0
eliminates the MS-DOS 640K memory barrier for Windows and Windows
applications, allowing direct access to up to 16 MB of extended
memory. This is especially important given the memory demands of
networking software in the traditional 640K MS-DOS environment.

"Loading network drivers has always taken too much memory away from
the application," said Stan Levine, vice president of Automated Design
Systems, Inc. "Ironically, the more we use LANs, the worse the problem
becomes, due to the memory-hungry networking protocols needed to link
our minicomputers and mainframes to the desktop. Windows 3.0 finally
gives us access to the memory we need to build enterprise-wide
networks, while at the same time making our larger LANs easier to use
and support."

Compatible with Industry-Standard Networks
------------------------------------------

The Windows environment version 3.0 ensures broad network
compatibility by providing standardized interface software to all the
network-specific device drivers for a wide range of networks. A user
can connect and disconnect from a network without leaving the Windows
graphical shell. Drivers are provided for Microsoft Networks, LAN
Manager [including 3Com(R) and Ungermann-Bass(R) retail products],
IBM(R) LAN Server, Novell(R) NetWare(R) 2.10 and above, Novell NetWare
386, and BANYAN(R) VINES(R) 4.0. Additional network drivers will be
provided as they become available through the Driver Library Disk
Service, which was also announced today.

The Windows Setup program helps simplify both the installation of the
appropriate Windows network drivers and the addition of network
resources to the user's Windows desktop. The setup program can store
multiple workstation configurations in a single Windows directory on
the server. Simply by typing win/n the administrator can identify
specific hardware configurations for individual workstations. Where
user choices are available, such as the connection for a network
printer, the Setup program prompts the user through the possible
choices using push buttons and list boxes.

Easy Access to Networking Resources
-----------------------------------

Windows' modular nature also benefits network administrators, who can
now establish a single shared Windows directory on a file server
instead of having to maintain a separate copy of Windows for each user
configuration. Network administrators can also control and customize
many aspects of their users' desktops.

Once the networking software is loaded, all network access and
interaction can take place from within the Windows environment. Four
tools provide assistance with these tasks:

o Program Manager: The Program Manager visually represents, as icons
on an "electronic desktop," all applications selected by the user or
network administrator, whether stored on the user's own machine or on
a network file server. These are accessible regardless of the
directory in which they are located.

o File Manager: The File Manager provides access to both local and
network files, allowing users to perform maintenance on files stored
anywhere in the network. For example, the ability to view multiple
directories concurrently lets users move and copy files from one
directory to another with a simple "drag-and-drop" procedure. In
addition, menu options make it easy to connect additional network
drives or disconnect previously established connections.

o Control Panel: The Control Panel now includes a printer option that
lets users connect and disconnect both local and network printers.
Users can also tailor their use of each printer for paper orientation,
print trays and other variables.

o Print Manager: With the Print Manager, users can view the status of
their print jobs, view all the files in a network printer's queue in
addition to their own -- and even view network queues to which they
are not currently connected. Users can also choose to bypass the local
print spooler and print directly to the network.

Streamlined 3270 Connectivity
-----------------------------

Linking to mainframes is straightforward in version 3.0. The Windows
version 3.0 memory manager provides ample room for MS-DOS and 3270
emulator programs and other software. Microsoft Windows is compatible
with both two-tier and three-tier 3270 connectivity, and many vendors
have announced Windows versions of their 3270 applications. Because of
the Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) facility in Windows and OS/2,
communications between Windows 3270 applications and other Windows
applications can easily occur. Version 3.0 also allows individual
tailoring of MS-DOS applications through Program Information Files
(PIF) editors, so users can adjust multitasking and hot keys in their
DOS 3270 programs to provide the kind of interface to the mainframe
they prefer.

Easy Distribution Through License Pak
-------------------------------------

The Microsoft License Pak simplifies the process of licensing and
distributing Microsoft Windows in networked and multiuser
environments. Under the License Pak agreement, the company buys only
one full package, which may be used as a master from which License Pak
copies are made. For each additional computer using Windows, the
company then purchases a License Pak, consisting of a license
agreement to make and use one copy and an order form for Windows
documentation.

License Paks are sold through Microsoft resellers and may be purchased
in any quantity after at least one full-package product has been
purchased. The suggested retail price for the Windows version 3.0
License Pak is $125 -- 16 percent less than the $149 price for the
full-package product.

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, CD-ROM products and hardware for the microcomputer marketplace.

###

Microsoft, MS-DOS and the Microsoft logo are registered trademarks,
and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

BANYAN and VINES are registered trademarks of Banyan Systems
Incorporated.

3Com is a registered trademark of 3Com Corporation.

IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines
Corporation.

Novell and NetWare are registered trademarks of Novell, Inc.

Ungermann-Bass is a registered trademark of Ungermann-Bass, Inc.

Additional Vendor Quotes
------------------------

"The combination of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft LAN Manager
provides an excellent integrated systems platform for customers both
large and small. We are pleased that LAN Manager 2.0 will be one of
the first networks to support Windows 3.0. Graphical front ends, such
as the Asymetrix ToolBook, combined with powerful back ends, such as
SQL Server, demonstrating the power of client-server applications."

Mike Murray, General Manager of Network Business Unit
Microsoft Corporation


"We are pleased that Windows 3.0 has been architected to take
advantage of advanced networking capabilities. Networks are such an
integral piece of user computing solutions today. Combining the
benefits of the highest performance network operating system, NetWare
386, with the benefits of a graphical user interface such as Windows,
will provide significant and tangible benefits to users."

Ray Noorda, President/CEO
Novell, Inc.


"3Com is pleased to announce that its complete line of 3+Open
networking products will be compatible with Microsoft's Windows 3.0.
Like DOS and OS/2, 3Com views Windows 3.0 as a strategic platform for
the development of our network operating systems and services. We are
committed to maximizing the operation of Windows 3.0 in a networked
environment for our customers: offering the memory-efficient NetBIOS
protocol is one such example."

Eric Benhamou, President
3Com Corporation


"Long before Banyan formally announced its cooperative alliance with
Microsoft on May 8, we had already recognized the importance to the
marketplace of a network-aware Windows 3.0 product that could be
coupled with VINES to expand our `window' into the corporatewide PC
network. In anticipation of today's announcement, we had incorporated
support for Windows 3.0 into VINES Release 4.0, which began shipping
in February of this year."

David C. Mahney, President/CEO
Banyan Systems


"The graphical user interface, memory management and multitasking
capabilities of Windows 3.0 are vital to our customers, who generally
have 1,000 to 10,000 node networks. A Net/One driver and Windows 3.0
combination provide users with fast and simple navigation throughout
the enterprise -- increasing productivity and decreasing training
time."

Ralph K. Ungermann, President
Ungermann-Bass

"With Windows 3.0, Microsoft is bringing to the protected mode DOS
world all the attributes of point-and-click computing previously
available only on the Macintosh. This new combination of ease of use,
expanded memory capability and an intuitive user interface is ideal
for the rapidly growing number of people working on heterogeneous
networks. Windows 3.0 is now a primary platform for us, and we'll
provide all TOPS products for this new environment, bringing seamless
cross-platform computing to Windows 3.0."

Rich Shapero, President
TOPS


"The memory management of Windows 3.0 allows 3270 communications
software to coexist with robust Windows programs like Microsoft Excel
and Word. EXTRA for Windows 1.2 can have constant access to multiple
mainframe applications with plenty of memory left over."

Mike New, Vice President
Attachmate Corporation


"We at DCA strongly support the Windows environment and have made a
commitment to incorporating the platform across our IRMA, CROSSTALK
and IONET product lines as part of our philosophy to offer users the
widest possible range of connectivity choices."

Charles G. "Garry" Betty
DCA


"With Windows 3.0 network support, users can now utilize Windows
multitasking without giving up their LAN interface. Dynacomm and
Windows 3.0 enable the user to connect across the LAN to corporate
mainframes while having applications such as Microsoft Excel and Word
active without significant performance loss."

Tim Farrel, President
Futuresoft Corporation


"Windows 3.0 not only coexists with networks, it brings networks into
the modern world of graphical user interfaces. The significance of
this lies not so much in giving users access to existing network
software from within Windows, but in the new generation of intuitive
and powerful networked applications that Windows will make possible."

Bret D. Schlussman, President
NETLOGIC INC.


"Windows 3.0 lets us fulfill our vision for RUMBA that, of course,
includes 3270 connectivity -- but with our new RUMBA SDK, corporations
can now actually integrate existing mainframe applications into the
Windows environment. Windows has made it possible for us to offer a
new level of intuitive and functionally comprehensive PC products and
tools that we believe will change the scope of corporate computing."

John Wall, Founder/Chairman
Wall Data