Microsoft to Make It Possible for Windows-based Applications to Run on
Other Software Platforms

REDMOND, Wash.--May 4, 1993--Microsoft Corporation today announced that it
will make it possible for applications for the Microsoft Windows operating
system to run on other software platforms, including UNIX g' operating
systems and the Apple Macintosh. The availability of the Windows
applications programming interfaces (APIs) for other platforms will
greatly simplify the work of developers who want to have applications
running in multiple environments.

"Customers have asked us for a safe and easy way to run Windows-based
applications on other platforms," said Paul Maritz, senior vice president,
systems division at Microsoft. "The best way for us to ensure that this is
done with the highest degree of compatibility and quality is for us to
make licenses available for our technology to selected partners. This also
provides a means for customers and developers to get the benefits of
future improvements to Windows such as object linking and embedding."

"This is exactly what we have been waiting for from Microsoft," said Dave
Aynardi, manager of the information systems energy systems business unit
at Westinghouse Corporation. "We have an integrated engineering and
business environment. Our strategic direction has been to run and support
applications that run in MS-DOS, Windows and UNIX worlds. This makes that
effort less complex."

Microsoft concluded its first agreement to license Windows source code and
associated intellectual property--the Windows user interface, Windows
APIs, and the Windows trademark and logo--to Insignia Solutions Inc. of
Mountain View, Calif., a well-known vendor of cross-platform technology
for UNIX systems.

In addition to Windows source code, Microsoft will also provide test suites
and software tools (16- and 32-bit, as appropriate) to help verify
compatibility. These test suites and tools are designed to provide
assurance to the licensees and their customers that the end products are
compatible with Windows and that Windows-based applications will run
successfully.

New Tools Also Target Macintosh

Microsoft also said that it is developing tools to enable C and C++
developers building Windows-based applications to also target the Apple
Macintosh, allowing a common base of source code between the two systems.
The tools will provide developers the flexibility to also access APIs
specific to System 7 in order to take advantage of unique System 7
features. The toolset will include a layer that implements Windows APIs on
the System 7 operating system.

The ability of Windows-based applications to run on UNIX systems or the
Macintosh means that developers can write graphical applications once and
have them run on other systems without the significant development time or
cost usually associated with porting that application to a different
system.

Developers and Customers Support the Announcement

"Micrografx is focused on developing to the Windows API," said Lyle
Griffin, vice president of development at Micrografx. "The work Microsoft
is doing with Insignia will be very beneficial to software vendors and end
users because it allows us to focus on one programming interface and not
have to worry about supporting multiple application interfaces."

"Because we are committed to providing cross-platform compatibility and
support for our applications, we see this as a positive move," said Dave
Moon, senior vice president of development at WordPerfect Corporation.
"This will provide us with more options for sharing user-interface code
across platforms, and will help in keeping business applications
consistent and compatible between Windows and UNIX."

"By making Windows software technology available, its Win32 API and Windows
source code, Microsoft continues on its mission of making technology
widely available that gives both developers and end users the most choices
in fulfilling their open systems requirements," said Al Hankinson, senior
software architect, Science Applications International Corporation, and
former chief of the systems and software technology division at the
National Institute of Standards and Technology.

"Microsoft's decision to license Windows libraries for UNIX is to be
lauded," said Grover Righter, vice president, product management, SCO.
"Just as important is the licensing of the Windows test suites. This is
the best way to ensure maximum compatibility for Windows-based
applications."

Today's announcement extends Microsoft's role in providing compatibility
with Windows on other platforms. Microsoft has previously cooperated with
vendors such as Insignia (SoftPC for the Macintosh and UNIX) and Locus
Computing (Merge386 for UNIX). Microsoft has also licensed Windows source
code to companies such as Citrix Systems, which will deliver a multiuser
version of the Microsoft Windows NT operating system.

Insignia Solutions Inc. is the industry's leading provider of high-quality
PC emulation solutions for UNIX-based workstations and Macintosh
computers. The company develops, markets and sells products designed to
run Windows and MS-DOS-based applications on IBM, SGI, NeXT and SunSPARC
workstations and Macintosh computers.

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.

Microsoft Corp, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399
206-882-8080,  fax: 206-93MSFAX

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