REDMOND, Wash. - April 19, 1999 -Microsoft Corp. today announced the Corporate Preview Program (CPP) for the Microsoft^® Windows^® 2000 operating system, enabling customers to preorder the upcoming release of Windows 2000 beta 3. The CPP, along with the over 250,000 customers already scheduled to receive Windows 2000 beta 3 through other means, will make Windows 2000 the most widely evaluated version of Windows in Microsoft's history.

To help enable successful evaluations of Windows 2000 beta 3, the CPP delivers beta 3 software for both Windows 2000 Professional and Windows 2000 Server as well as product support and the tools and information customers need to install, test and evaluate these products. The kit further includes a subscription to Windows 2000 Beta Update - notification by e-mail when pertinent new technical information is available on the Web - and more than three hours of video-taped courseware.

"The launch of Windows 2000 beta 3 is the prime opportunity for corporations to evaluate and begin planning for broad deployment of Windows 2000," said Deborah Willingham, vice president, Business Enterprise Division, Microsoft. "The Corporate Preview Program provides the tools and resources for customers to work with their solution providers to ensure an effective and thorough evaluation of Windows 2000."

Availability

Customers can preorder the Windows 2000 Corporate Preview Program (CPP) from a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider (MCSP) or through the Microsoft Web site for an estimated price of $59.95 (U.S.). Customers interested in evaluating Windows 2000 with an MCSP skilled in development and deployment of Windows 2000 can find one at http://www.microsoft.com/mcsp/windows2000/. Customers can preorder the Windows 2000 Corporate Preview Kit today at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/preview/order.asp.

Versions of the Corporate Preview Program that include Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server, multilanguage versions of Windows 2000, and Windows 2000 Professional and Windows 2000 Server for Alpha processors are scheduled to be made available. Please see the CPP Web site for more details.

Because of manufacturing and shipping lead times, customers preordering the Windows 2000 Corporate Preview Program should expect delivery approximately six to eight weeks after the release of Windows 2000 Beta 3.

About Microsoft Windows 2000

Windows 2000 Professional is designed to be the most reliable business and mobile desktop operating system for organizations of all sizes. Windows 2000 Server combines integrated Web-ready directory, network and application services with powerful end-to-end management to provide the fastest way to conduct digital business. When used together, Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2000 Professional lower the overall cost of ownership and provide a robust, adaptive digital infrastructure for organizations of all sizes.