Microsoft Launches Retail Upgrade Promotion           Page 2
                                
Microsoft News Release
     
     Microsoft Canada Inc.
     Jeff Dossett
     (416) 568-0434 ext. 4052
     
     CMN, Creative Marketing Network
     Susan Taylor or Mary Sturgeon
     (416) 539-0694
                                            For Immediate Release
                                
     Microsoft Canada Launches Upgrade Your World Promotion
   Unique retail promotion offers consumers outstanding value
                     and free software bonus
     
     MISSISSAUGA, Ont.  March 30, 1993  Microsoft Canada today
     announced its largest and most comprehensive consumer
     promotion. The `Upgrade Your World' promotion is designed to
     make it easier for consumers to purchase a variety of
     Microsoft's industry leading software and hardware products
     through its broad retail network in Canada.
     
     The Upgrade Your World promotion consists of three main
     components:
      
        FREE Microsoft software  Consumers who purchase a
        minimum of $250.00 worth of Microsoft software and
        hardware between April 1 and May 31, 1993 will be
        eligible to receive a choice of one software product
        directly from Microsoft free. Consumers may choose from
        Microsoft Golf for Windows, Microsoft Money for Windows,
        Microsoft Flight Simulator, Microsoft TrueType Font
        Packs and others. Mail-in coupons are available at all
        participating retail outlets.
      
        MS-DOSr version 6.0 for $59.99 at a special introductory
        price  The newest version of the MS-DOS operating
        system, introduced within the promotional period,
        includes easy-to-use integrated disk compression, memory
        management, backup and anti-virus protection. It has a
        SRP of $155.95, but will be available at a promotional
        price until May 31.
      
        The Microsoft Office Upgrade Edition  During the
        promotion period, consumers can also acquire Microsoft's
        leading suite of fully integrated application software
        at the lowest price ever offered. The Microsoft Office
        consist of:
             Microsoft Word, the leading word processor for
        Windows
             Microsoft Excel, the highest rated spreadsheet for
        Windows
             Microsoft PowerPoint, the easiest way to create
        powerful presentations, and a
             Workstation license for Microsoft Mail, the #1
        selling electronic mail system
      
        As a further incentive, existing users of Microsoft
        Word, Excel or PowerPoint can receive an additional $50
        rebate from Microsoft Canada through to July 15. simply
        by redeeming the rebate coupons included in the Office
        Upgrade Edition package.
                                
                  Leveraging MS-DOS 6 Momentum
     
     "With all of the excitement and activity surrounding the
     launch of MS-DOS 6 we felt that it was the best time to
     introduce a promotion that appealed to the broadest number
     of consumers possible," said Jeff Dossett, group product
     manager for Microsoft Canada. "We are confident that
     consumers will take advantage of this limited-time promotion
     and upgrade to the latest versions of Microsoft products or
     purchase new applications."
                                
               Solidifying reseller relationships
     
     Over 1,000 resellers across Canada are expected to
     participate. "One of the primary goals of the Upgrade Your
     World promotion is to make it easier for resellers to sell a
     wide range of Microsoft products," said Dossett. "We are
     very encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment that this
     promotion has garnered within the computer reseller/dealer
     community."
     
     This completely bilingual promotion will be supported by in-
     store point-of-sale materials as well as an extensive direct
     mail and print advertising campaign in five cities across
     Canada.
     
     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.
                                
                              -30-
                                
     MS-DOS, PowerPoint, Microsoft and the Microsoft logo are
     registered trademarks and Windows is a trademark of
     Microsoft Corporation.
     All pricing is listed in $CDN.