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Microsoft Announces Beta Version of Windows XP 64-Bit Edition for 64-Bit Extended Systems

Updated Operating System Provides Superior Performance and Compatibility
On Systems Powered by AMD64 Technology

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Microsoft Corp.
(Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced the beta availability of a native 64-bit
version of its Windows(R) XP operating system designed to support 64-Bit
Extended Systems, including platforms based on AMD64 technology from AMD.
Microsoft made the announcement at AMD’s launch of the AMD Athlon(TM) 64
processor in San Francisco. The updated 64-bit operating system, Windows XP
64-Bit Edition for 64-Bit Extended Systems, which will run natively on AMD
Athlon 64 processor-powered desktops and AMD Opteron(TM) processor-powered
workstations, provides the superior performance needed by consumers and
business customers for the next generation of high-performance desktop
computing, including gaming, digital content creation and video editing.

A key benefit of the updated operating system is the Microsoft(R) Windows
on Windows 64 (WOW64) technology, which will enable customers who currently
have Windows XP-compatible 32-bit applications to run those applications on
the 64-bit operating system. The WOW64 architecture takes advantage of the
AMD64 architecture to enable compatibility with 32-bit applications without a
loss of performance in nearly all cases, helping protect customers’ current
and future technology investments.

"We’ve heard from our customers that, until now, the inability to
efficiently run 32-bit applications on 64-bit systems has been a major barrier
to investing in 64-bit technologies," said Chris Jones, corporate vice
president for the Windows Client Division at Microsoft. "With the combination
of Windows XP and the new AMD64 processors, customers can be assured of having
all the computing power and memory they need, now and into the future, while
still being able to run their current applications."

Windows XP 64-Bit Edition for 64-Bit Extended Systems is designed for use
on high-performance PCs. This means new customers will be able to extend
beyond the 4-gigabyte physical memory limit of 32-bit computing. The
unprecedented power of this new Windows platform is expected to lead to an
exciting future of cinematic computing PC experiences, especially in the areas
of advanced gaming, digital content creation and video editing. Gamers will
enjoy a new level of realism, while digital media enthusiasts will be able to
create content of a quality normally achievable only by professionals.

"Windows XP and AMD64 hold the promise of bringing 64-bit computing to a
whole new set of computer users, delivering immersive, cinema-quality user
experiences for gaming and working with digital media," said Dirk Meyer,
senior vice president of the Computation Products Group at AMD. "AMD and
Microsoft have worked together to help ensure customers will be able to run
both 32-bit and 64-bit applications on a single platform. They are able to
invest in the future now."

The Windows and AMD64 platform is expected to increase the efficiency of
many operations, including engineering and scientific projects, financial
services, online transaction processing, data warehousing, and computer-aided
design. The critical architectural flexibility that allows customers to run
their current 32-bit applications on Windows XP 64-Bit Edition also will allow
those customers to seamlessly upgrade to 64-bit versions of their applications
as they become available.

This version of Windows XP 64-Bit Edition is the latest in Microsoft’s
continuing efforts to deliver industry-leading innovation at an excellent
price-to-performance ratio. Microsoft’s ongoing 64-bit development work and
its collaboration with industry-leading semiconductor manufacturers prove its
commitment to delivering high-performance, scalable operating systems and
innovative products.

The beta version of Windows XP 64-Bit Edition for 64-Bit Extended Systems
is available to MSDN(R) subscribers, and a final release is expected to be
available in the first half of 2004. Windows Server(TM) 2003 for 64-Bit
Extended Systems also is available in beta with final release expected in the
first half of 2004.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services
and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company
offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people
through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
NOTE: Microsoft, Windows, MSDN and Windows Server are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other
countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.

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