BOSTON — July 11, 2006 — Today at the Microsoft^® Worldwide Partner Conference 2006, Microsoft Corp. announced broad support for the launch of Windows Vista™ from nearly 1,000 global independent software vendors (ISVs) that will deliver a range of applications and solutions for the operating system. Microsoft also detailed its commitment to helping ISVs deliver applications that run on Microsoft Windows Vista through a series of programs to help drive partner success and customer choice based on Windows Vista.

Software Partner Momentum Building Around Windows Vista

The approximately 1,000 ISVs developing for Windows Vista will deliver a range of solutions, with 15 of the top 25 global ISVs among those creating applications. Windows Vista will enable a new generation of applications and solutions that deliver greater security, enable richer and more immersive user experiences, and offer a new communications and connectivity infrastructure. Developers will be able to build on this new platform to provide their customers with innovative solutions.

Several partners taking advantage of these new features were highlighted at the event. Trend Micro Inc., a leading content-protection and threat-management company, is leveraging security enhancements in Windows Vista for its new applications. “Consumers and businesses are extremely concerned with keeping data safe from the multitude of online threats,” said Lane Bess, president of North America operations at Trend Micro. “The immense response we’ve seen to our PC-cillin Internet Security beta currently available for Windows Vista beta customers shows that Trend Micro is working closely with Microsoft. We are developing products and threat expertise to complement Windows Vista, offering significant advancements in security.”

SolidWorks Corp. is building next-generation applications using the power of 3-D graphics in Windows Vista to bring technology to life and enhance communications. “Windows Vista offers many features that create compelling opportunities for enterprise software vendors,” said Efrat Ravid, manager of the SolidWorks Solution Partner Program. “We are particularly excited to develop our new computer-aided design (CAD) software with the powerful 3-D graphics capability of Windows Vista, which enables our customers to create powerful 3-D designs.”

“We’re pleased by the momentum we see building around Windows Vista in the partner community,” said Mike Sievert, corporate vice president of Windows Client Marketing at Microsoft. “A vibrant partner ecosystem encourages rapid and broad deployment of Windows Vista, and enhances the great software experience that Windows Vista delivers. We’ll continue to innovate with our products and support our partners as they prepare to roll out new versions of their applications and services.”

Microsoft is showcasing a handful of the applications under development by leading companies — including 90 Degree Software Inc., Accruent Inc., Knowledge Computing Corp., Right Hemisphere, SourceCode Technology Holdings and UGS Corp. — on the Windows Vista Web site (http://www.seewindowsvista.com). Microsoft will continue to update the site with additional partner innovations.

Announcing Windows Vista Programs to Enable Partner Success

With the number of partners investing in Windows Vista increasing, Microsoft has introduced several Windows Vista application and developer readiness initiatives to help software partners prepare for and succeed with the next-generation operating system. Designed to benefit ISVs and individual developers, these initiatives help developers create applications using new Windows Vista platform technologies and meet the “Certified for Windows Vista” logo specification requirements. Microsoft is also offering resources to help developers ensure that their existing applications work with Windows Vista. As part of these efforts, Microsoft is making available a range of development, training and testing resources.

Partners building applications for Windows Vista will have access to technical support resources, Windows Vista-based application testing and compatibility labs, community engagement programs, and Windows Vista developer training and certification. Among these initiatives is Project Glidepath, a community engagement program for one- to three-person software-development companies, called MicroISVs. Project Glidepath helps provide MicroISVs with the workflow-based guidance, sample code, content and technology needed to create successful applications for Windows Vista.

Also being distributed to attendees at the conference is the Windows Vista Developer Jumpstart Kit, which contains videos, white papers, tools and presentations to help developers ensure that their applications will be compatible with Windows Vista. The kit helps developers worldwide optimize their applications for Windows Vista, ensuring that their next-generation applications can deliver new levels of security and reliability for customers.

ISVs can learn more about the programs and engagement opportunities at http://www.InnovateOnWindowsVista.com. Technical information for Windows Vista developers can be found at http://msdn.microsoft.com/windowsvista.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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