Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 Now Available; Delivers "The Web the Way You Want It" to Users Worldwide

Acclaimed Internet Client Offers Users the Easiest, Fastest and Most Complete Web Experience Today

Redmond, Wash. - Oct. 1, 1997 - Microsoft Corp. today announced the immediate worldwide availability of the eagerly awaited Microsoft® Internet Explorer 4.0, the only Internet client to deliver "the Web the way you want it" to millions of users worldwide. Unveiled at a launch event Tuesday evening in San Francisco, Internet Explorer 4.0 combines the premier Internet browser, communication and collaboration tools, innovative Active Channel™ "push" content and true Web integration to offer users an unparalleled Internet client solution. Microsoft today is also announcing the Subscribe to Win sweepstakes, introducing users to some of the newest and most exciting content available on the Web.

Bill Gates, chairman and CEO of Microsoft, spoke at the launch event about the emergence of "Web lifestyles" - how the Internet will play a key role in many aspects of people's everyday lives, from planning a weekend getaway to buying a car. Gates demonstrated how Internet Explorer 4.0 propels Web browsing forward, helping Web lifestyles become a reality today.

"The Internet offers unparalleled power to enhance people's lives, from providing new ways to communicate to offering vast amounts of information," Gates said. "Internet Explorer 4.0 breaks new ground in achieving true Web to PC integration, making it easier than ever before to access and use information."

Only Internet Explorer 4.0 Delivers "The Web the Way You Want It" to Users Worldwide

With Internet Explorer 4.0, Microsoft breaks the mold of basic browsing solutions by bringing together the power of the personal computer with the innovative content and communication capabilities of the Internet. Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 offers four key areas of innovation for Internet and intranet users:

• Best-of-breed browser. Internet Explorer 4.0 makes Web browsing fast, easy and secure. With unique features such as Explorer Bars to help manage favorite Web sites, users will spend less time trying to locate information and more time enjoying dynamic content on the Web. Users can also view the widest array of Internet content with Internet Explorer 4.0's broad support for Internet standards and the latest Internet technologies, while enjoying the fastest Java™ performance available. Browsing is made secure with innovative Security Zones that give users advanced control over content downloaded to their computer, and the Content Advisor, a content filtering tool that allows parents and administrators to restrict access to sites they consider inappropriate. Users can also take the Web with them wherever they go with Internet Explorer 4.0's offline browsing support, offering them the ability to view Internet content even when they are not connected to the Internet.
• Communication and collaboration. Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 offers the most complete set of tools to make communicating with friends, family and business associates on the Web fast and easy. The Outlook™ Express e-mail client makes sending e-mail fun, personalized and simple, with features such as quick setup wizards, easy migration tools to move from previous e-mail software, support for multiple accounts and customized stationery options. Users will also enjoy the ability to include their favorite live Web sites right in an e-mail message. In addition, NetMeeting™ conferencing software makes it easy for users to connect and communicate with family, friends and business associates by allowing them to talk to one another live using Internet telephony, see another person live using video conferencing, and share information with several people at once using multipoint data conferencing. Users can also experience the most dynamic audio and video content on the Web today with support for the broadest range of multimedia technologies, including the Microsoft NetShow™ networked multimedia software, Progressive Networks' RealPlayer, and VDONet's VDOLive. With FrontPage® Express, users can even create their own Web pages.
• True Web integration. Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 offers unique integration between the browser and the Windows® 95 and Windows NT® operating systems, making it quick and easy for users to navigate information whether it resides on their PC or the Internet. This integration extends to the Windows Start button, where users can now instantly access their favorite Web sites right along with the regular Windows Start options. Users will also benefit from enhanced forward/back options that will return them not only to a recently visited Web site but also to recently accessed files. Offering an enhanced Windows Desktop called the Active Desktop™ interface, Internet Explorer 4.0 enables users to take advantage of the Internet to personalize their desktop with their favorite online stock tickers, updated weather maps and hundreds of other items from the Web.
• Active Channel technology and webcasting. Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0's support for Active Channel technology delivers exciting customized and interactive Web content from the world's leading Web sites right to users' fingertips. For example, if a user subscribes to Active Channel content offering up-to-date sports information but is interested only in the latest baseball scores, he or she can easily elect to receive only that specific content. Users can also control the amount and timing of content delivered, so they receive only the specialized content they want, when they want it. In addition, Internet Explorer 4.0 provides users with more flexible "push" content options than any other browser, allowing any existing Web site or Active Channel content to be automatically delivered to users in a variety of formats, including notification of updated sites and delivery of content for offline reading through the browser or e-mail.

More than 500 of the world's most popular Web sites, offering the latest entertainment, sports, news, travel, business and financial information, are providing exciting Active Channel content designed for Internet Explorer 4.0 users (see addendum for list). This interactive content takes advantage of Internet Explorer 4.0 technologies to leap beyond static Web pages, offering users the delivery of animated, interactive and personalized content. With one click, users can subscribe to Active Channel content available through either the Channel Bar, a part of the Internet Explorer 4.0 desktop that provides quick access to more than 30 preconfigured premier Active Channel providers, or in the Microsoft Active Channel Guide, which allow users to browse hundreds of the latest channels, view multimedia previews and read descriptions of channel content.

Businesses can take advantage of Internet Explorer 4.0 Active Channel technologies to quickly deliver mission-critical information to their employees, keeping their companies competitive. By developing their own specialized content, businesses can also deliver custom information directly to the desktops of employees who need it, when they need it. Active Channel content, in addition to all of Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0's broad functionality, can be fully controlled, customized and managed with the use of the Internet Explorer Administration Kit 4.0, helping ensure that employees have the most personalized and efficient solution. Corporate deployment of Internet Explorer 4.0 using the Internet Explorer Administration Kit has already begun. In a separate announcement today, Microsoft stated that 20 major corporations are choosing Internet Explorer 4.0 as their standard Web browser across more than 300,000 desktops.

Unmatched Industry Support Behind Internet Explorer 4.0 Broadens Users Access

Support for Internet Explorer 4.0 spans the industry, with leading PC manufacturers, Internet service providers, independent software vendors, online services and solution providers rallying behind the Internet client to enhance their customer offerings.

• PC manufacturers. More than 50 of the world's leading PC manufacturers, including Compaq Computer Corp., Dell Computer Corp., Digital Equipment Corp., Gateway 2000 Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., International Business Machines Corp., Packard Bell NEC Inc., Sony Corp. and Toshiba America Inc., are shipping Internet Explorer 4.0 and developing Active Channel content for their customers in time for the holiday season. These PC manufacturers sold over 40 million personal computers in 1996.
• Internet service providers. Fourteen of the leading Internet service providers, including the nation's top 10, are distributing Internet Explorer 4.0 with customized Active Channels and Outlook Express to their customers starting today. These companies include AT&T WorldNet Service, Concentric Network, Earthlink Network, Erol's Internet, GTE Internetworking, MCI, MindSpring, NETCOM, Sprint Internet Passport, SPRYNET and Time Warner's Road Runner. These ISPs will bring Internet Explorer 4.0 to more than 150,000 new users each month in addition to making it available to their more than 8 million existing customers.
• Online service and software companies. Top online services and independent software vendors are adopting Internet Explorer 4.0 as a key technology to integrate advanced Internet and intranet functionality into their applications. They include AirMedia, America Online Inc., BackWeb, CompuServe, FirstFloor Software, Intuit Inc., Lotus Development Corp., MSN™, The Microsoft Network, Pointcast Inc. and Prodigy Internet. Over the next year they will ship millions of copies of software integrating Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0.
• Solution providers. Over 200 of the leading Web development companies and technology consulting firms have chosen Internet Explorer 4.0 for their customer solution offerings. Together, these solution providers reach over 150,000 companies worldwide.

Subscribe to Win Sweepstakes Adds to Internet Explorer 4.0 Excitement

To help celebrate the launch of Internet Explorer 4.0 and encourage users to experience the new dynamic Active Channel content, Microsoft announced an online sweepstakes with more than 30 premier Active Channel content providers offering more than 8,000 prizes. Four grand prizes will be awarded, including a $25,000 travel shopping spree from the Expedia™ travel service, an "Inside Hollywood" vacation from Warner Bros. Online that includes a TV walk-on role on "Friends" or "ER," more than 1,500 CDs from the AudioNet CD Jukebox, and a $15,000 shopping spree from the PointCast Business Network. To play, users simply need to install Internet Explorer 4.0, subscribe to one of the participating Active Channel content providers on the Internet and click on the Subscribe to Win icon. With one click, they have a chance to win a prize instantly and be eligible for the drawing for one of the four grand prizes. For a complete list of terms, conditions and participating Active Channel content providers, visit http://www.microsoft.com/ie/offers/.

Pricing, Availability and Support

To provide users with the easiest access to the new Internet client, Microsoft has teamed with leading Web sites - including CMP TechWeb, (http://www.techweb.com/); CNET: The Computer Network, http://www.browsers.com/; Wired Digital, (http://www.livewired.com/); and ZDNet, (http://www.hotfiles.com/) - to provide download access to Internet Explorer 4.0. Internet Explorer 4.0 is also available from the Microsoft Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/ie/.

As with Internet Explorer 3.0, Microsoft will make Internet Explorer 4.0 available in three download versions, to offer users the most personalized Internet software solution:

• Browser only. For users who want simply the best-of-breed browser and fastest-performing Java support.
• Standard. Includes the browser, the Outlook Express e-mail client and multimedia enhancements.
• Full. Includes components in the Standard version and adds Microsoft NetMeeting, Microsoft NetShow, Microsoft FrontPage Express, Microsoft Chat 2.0 and the Web Publishing Wizard, giving users the power they need to take full advantage of all of the Internet's most advanced features.

Microsoft is also making Internet Explorer 4.0 available on CD-ROM for $4.95 (including shipping and handling). Orders can be placed via the Microsoft Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/ie/ie40/.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 users can get the latest in product support both online at http://www.microsoft.com/support/ and by phone. Registered users will receive access to unlimited online support information and 90 days of no-charge assisted online or phone support (connect-time charges may apply). Microsoft Technical Support for Internet Explorer 4.0 online starts Oct. 5, 1997, and offers the latest in support technology with natural language searching abilities and an exclusive Site Customization feature, providing users with the ability to find the most appropriate answers more quickly by choosing the way they search and view the Support Online site.

To meet the needs of Internet users worldwide, Microsoft continues to deliver unprecedented international language support for Internet Explorer. Microsoft today offers Internet Explorer 4.0 in eight language versions - Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Korean - the most ever for the launch of a Web client.

Today's release of Internet Explorer 4.0 for the Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows NT operating systems will be followed by the scheduled release of final versions for the Windows 3.1 and Macintosh operating systems within 60 to 90 days and for UNIX in the first quarter of 1998. Prerelease versions of Internet Explorer 4.0 for Macintosh and Windows 3.1 are currently available for developers and technical evaluators to download.

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, Active Channel, Outlook, NetMeeting, NetShow, FrontPage, Windows, Windows NT, Active Desktop, MSN and Expedia are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems Inc.

Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

The Microsoft Network is operated by Microsoft Corp. on behalf of Microsoft Network LLC.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft's corporate information pages.

Addendum

Following is a list of worldwide companies providing premier Active Channel content for Internet Explorer 4.0. For the most current list, visit the Microsoft Active Channel Guide accessible from the Internet Explorer 4.0 Channel Bar.

The following U.S. companies are providing premier Active Channel content:

Company NameChannel Name

7th LevelTAMAGOTCHI

America OnlineAOL Preview Channel

Association of Surfing ProfessionalsSurf Channel

Attitude NetworkHappy Puppy

AudioNetAudioNet Channel

Bandai Digital EntertainmentTAMAGOTCHI

Better Homes and GardensBetter Homes and Gardens Online

Black Entertainment TelevisionMSBET Channel

Bloomberg L.P.Bloomberg News

CNETCNET: The Computer Network

CNETSnap! Online

CBS SportsLineCBS SportsLine Channel

ChannelOSteve Oedekerk's Channel O

CMPnetCMPnet

CNN InteractiveCNN Interactive

CNN/SI InteractiveCNN/SI Interactive

Concentric NetworkConcentric Network

CondeNetEpicurious Food

CondeNetEpicurious Travel

ConnectedHealth.NetConnectedHealth.Net Channel

Corbis Corp.Trip

C-SPAN NetworksThe C-SPAN Networks

Desktop Data Inc.NewsEdge Webcast

Diablo ProductionsTraffic Station

Discovery Channel OnlineDiscovery Channel Online

Disney OnlineDisney Channel

Dow Jones MarketsDow Jones Channel

Dun & BradstreetCompanies Online

E!onlineE!online

Earthweb-Developer.comDeveloper.com

Elsevier ScienceThe Science Channel

Entertainment DriveEntertainment Drive

Erol's InternetErol's Teleport

ESPN SportsZoneESPN SportsZone

ExciteThe Excite Channel

Extreme FansExtreme Fans Channel

Financial TimesFinancial Times Channel

First CallFirst Call Channel

Forbes Digital MediaThe Forbes Channel

Fortune OnlineFortune Online

Fox News OnlineFox News Online

Fox Sports OnlineFox Sports Online

Gartner Group Inc.Gartner Group Advisor

GolfWebGolfWeb Explorer Channel

Hearst New MediaHome Arts

Hecklers OnlineHecklers Online

Hollywood OnlineHollywood Online

IDGIDG.net

InfoBeatInfoBeat

Interactive ImaginationsRiddler

IntuitQuicken.com

InvestorsEdgeStockPoint

iVillageParent Soup

Kaplan InteractiveThe Kaplan Edge: Live and Learn

LEXIS-NEXISDefense

LEXIS-NEXISEnergy

LEXIS-NEXISFinancial Intelligence

LEXIS-NEXISHealth Care

LEXIS-NEXISInsurance

LEXIS-NEXISLegal

LEXIS-NEXISPharmaceutical

LEXIS-NEXISSales

LEXIS-NEXISTelecom

Lifetime TelevisionLifetime Online

LycosCompanies Online

Mayo ClinicMayo Health O@sis

MicrosoftMicrosoft.com Channel

Microsoft Expedia travel services Microsoft Expedia Travel

Microsoft InvestorMicrosoft Investor

MSNBCMSNBC News

MSNBCMSNBC Sports

MTV OnlineMTV Online

National GeographicNational Geographic Connection

NBCNBC Daily

New ScientistNew Scientist Channel

NickelodeonNickelodeon

Paramount Digital Entertainment Paramount Spotlight

PeoplePeople

PointCastThe PointCast Business Network

Prevue NetworksPrevue Online

Reed Business Information@Computer Weekly

Reed Travel GroupTraveler.Net

Reed-Elsevier Business Information Entertainment Marketplace Headlines

ReutersReuters Business Briefing

Rolling StoneRolling Stone

SonicNet Inc.SonicNet Music News

Sony MusicSony Music Online

Tales From the Crypt HoldingsTales of the Crypt

The Economist Intelligence UnitEconomist Intelligence Unit Channel

The Microsoft NetworkMSN Channel

The New York Times Electronic Media Co. THE NEW YORK TIMES CHANNEL

The Weather ChannelThe Weather Channel

ThriveThriveAlive

Time OnlineTime

TravelocityTravelocity

TV Guide OnlineTV Guide Online

United MediaComic Zone

Universal Press SyndicateComics Channel

USA TodayUSA Today

Wall Street JournalThe Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition

Warner Bros. OnlineWarner Bros. Entertaindom

WavePhore Inc.Newscast Channel

WavePhore Inc.WaveTop Channel

Wire NetworksWomen's Wire

Wired DigitalLiveWired

ZDNetZDNet-the Computing Channel

The following international companies, representing 36 countries, are providing premier Active Channel content for Internet Explorer 4.0:

2FM Ireland, 9MSN, Aamulehti Group, ABC Australia, AcerNet, ABS-CBN, ADN Kronos, Advalvas, Africa Online, Aftenposten, Aftonbladet, Agence France-Presse, Agencia Estado, Akcie, America Iberica, Antenna Radio Television Enterprises, AOL Canada, AOL Germany, AOL-J, APN Computing Group, Arabia.On.Line, ArthaNews, Asahi News, Asia Online Philippines, Associated Newspapers, Astro (MBNS), Astro Advice, Atlas 1, ATV, Austria OnLine, Banco Bradesco, Banco Comercial, Bank Bali, Bauer Verlag (TV Movie), Bazaar, BBC Online, Bookland, BRANCHEZ-VOUS!, Bratch Innovation, BurdaCom (Traxxx), Business Publications Spain, Butterworths Australia, Cadena 40, Cadena Cope, Canada NewsWire, Canal 4 Montecarlo, Canal Unibanco, CANOE, Capital Online, Capital Radio, Caracol, CeiNet, Cellnet, Centaline Property Agency Ltd, CTK, Channel India on Internet, Chile Vision Canal 11, Chili, China Computerworld, China Economic Information Network (CEINet), China Net, ChinaByte, Chinese Television System, CHIP, Chosun Ilbo, Cinemex, City Compass, CityTV Interactive, CKWX News, Clarin, CNI Canal 40, .COM, Common Wealth, Compulink Network, Compunet, Compuserve Mexico, Compuserve Brasil, CompuServe Interactive, CompuServe Interactive Germany, Computer Point, Computer Press, Computer Today, Computerworld, Computerworld Online, Concentra, CondeNast, Creative Online Media, Chinese Television System, China Wide Web, CyberGear, Cyber India Online, Cyberschool Africa, Dacom, Dagens Industri, Dagens Nyheter, DagensTV / Bonnier Online AB, DBS Internet Services Pvt. Ltd., De Zaak, Deepika, Dennis Interactive, Der Standard, Deutsche Verlagsanstalt, Diario de Noticias, Diario EL PAIS, Diario La Epoca, Diario La Tercera, Digital Chosun Ilbo, Disney Japan, Dow Jones Middle East, Dow Jones Turkey, Dreams Factory, Dun & Bradstreet Portugal, ECNET, Editoriale la Republica, El Colombiano, EL DIARIO VASCO, El Observador, El Tiempo, Elender, Elle France, Elle Japan, Emap, EON (Egmont Online), Epsilon Net, ERA/TVBS, ESI, Estrategia Newspaper, ET News, Euroweb, Excel Economico, Exploration Network, Expo 98, Express Financial Daily Newspaper, Fairfax, Fanatik, Ferreira & Bento Lda, Financial Interactive Services Hub (FISH), Financieel ekonomische Tijd, Flash FM, Formosa TV, Fornax, France Pratique, France Telecom, Fundacao G.Gubelkian.(Tinta Invisivel), Fusio, Futurenet / Future Publishing, Garanti Bank, Gaumont, Gazeta Mercantil, Global Technology, Green Line Market Tracker, Groupe Tests, Grupo Sayrolls, Grupo Sojornal, Hachette Filipacchi, Hachette Filipachi Grolier, Hachette Filipachi Spain, Hankyoreh Shinmun, Hegnar Online, Hellas On Line, Helsingin Sanomat, Het Financieel Dagblad, Hipermidia Agencia Digital Ltda, HjemmeNett, HK Star Internet, Hotwired-J, Hudson's Bay Company, iafrica.com, IDG (PCWORLD), IDG Spain, IDG / Computer Sweden, IDG Brasil, IDG Communications Nederland, Il Sole 24 Ore, IMDb / Internet Movie Database, Impress, Inconet Lebanon, India Today, Indiaworld, Indonesian bookinfo, Infocentre Corporation Sdn, Infopro, Infordesporto, Informatio Technology, Informatique Actualité, Informatique Emplois, Infosel, Intercom, International Community Radio Taipei, Internet Kanal 1, Internet Knowledge Service Center Co., Internet Studio, Internet Technologies Polska, Internet TV Guide, Internet-Ireland, Internetowy Telemagazyn, Internetto, Intervizyon, InTouch Communication Egypt, IP Mark, Ireland On-Line, ISP, Itau, ITN, IXChange, Jakarta Stock Exchange, Joongang llbo, Jornal de Noticias, Jornal de Noticias Kabi D.O.O., JTV / Cybernet, Jyllands-Posten, J-Wave, Kabi d.o.o, KIDS (Egmont Online), KLUB, Kluwer Fiscale, Kompas, KSC Commercial Internet Co., La Bolsa de Comercio, La Bolsa de Valores, La Magia del Chine, La Nacion Online, Lambrakis Publishing Organization (DOL), Le Soir, Les Echos, Life Network, Line One, Link Egypt, LinkNet, List 2000, Lord's Cricket, Loxley Information Services Co., Maeil Business Newspaper, MAID plc, Mainichi News, Manila Bulletin, Mass Communication Organization of Thailand (MCOT), Matrix, MediaServer, Medyatext, Mega Channel, Metro, MGN Ltd, The Microsoft Network, Miller Freeman plc, Milliyet, Min-Sheng Daily, Moat, Mobil, MOLSON BREWERIES ONLINE, Mondadori, Mondadori, MotoMedia, MSN Australia, MSN Canada, MSN France, MSN Germany, MSN-J, MSN News UK, MSNBC, MTV3, Museo de Arte Virtual, MVS, M-Web Interactive, Naspers, NBR NETwork, Netgate, Nettavisen, New Scientist, New Zealand City, News Limited, News Theatre, Newstand, Newzdesk(Primedia), Nikkei, NikkeiBP, Nowcom, Nownuri channel, NRK, O Globo, Online Publishing Italia Srl, Optimus Biznes, Optimus Rozrywka, Oscar Promotion, Ottawa Citizen Online, P Square Holding Co., Passagen, PC Home Magazine, PC Magazine Middle & Near East, People's Daily Newspaper, Planet Internet, PLAYDIUM, PointCast Japan, Pointcast Australia, PointCast Canada, PointCast New Zealand, Pointcast UK , Polaris, Portafolio, Portugalnet, Power FM, Powerhouse/Cybernet, Press Association, PRISA, Privata Affarer, Pro7, Prodigy Mexico, ProSieben Online, PRT Music, PT Dyviatech Mediatama, PT. Cyberindo Aditama, PT. Indosat, PT. Wartaartha, Publico, Puls / Netwave, Rádio Comercial, Racecar, Radio Activo, Radio Centro, Radio Conquistador, Radio Manquehue, Radio P4 Internett, Radio Renascenca, Radio Sarandí, RAI, Ravi Database Consultants, RCN Radio, RCTI-TV, Recoletos C. Editorial, Recruit, Rediff On The Net, Reed Elsevier (Bizz), Reuters, Ringier AG, Rock, Roularta, Sabah,

Sayrolls Net, Scandinavia Online, Search Internet Development Services, Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS), Seven Network, Seznam, Shanghai Online, Siam Information & Media, SinaNet, Sing Tao Newspapers, Si-Phya Publishing Co., Site Internet Ltda, SKTelecom, SKY, Soficom Egypt, SoftCom Solutions, Softwarove noviny, Sojornal, SOL BN, Solutions group, Solvit, Solvit Eduland, Sony Music, South China Morning Post, Spiegel, Sport Information Technology, Sport1, Sportec, Sportline, Sprinx, Stern, Stopklatka., Stream, Supermedia, Supersite, SuperTV, Surf Infomedia Co., Svet na Modro, SWA Sembada, Swisstxt, TA Media AG, TAB Sports, Talentum's MikroPC, Technical Press, Tele Danmark/Adazio, Telegraph, Telekurs Finanz AG, Teletext, Televisa, Television Azteca, Television Broadcasts Limited, Television Corporation of Singapore - Mediacity; Television Nacional Chile, TF1, ThaiOnline Commercial, The Financial Times, The Hankyoreh Shinmun, The Interactive Factory, The Wall Street Journal Americas, Tietokone Webline (Sanoma Oy), Times Media Limited, Tokyo Walker Net, T-O Online, T-Online, Trend, TROS, TSN, Turkey Newspaper, Turystyka - Transport, TV Guide, TVNZ, Unibanco, Unidad Editorial, Universo Online, Verdens Gang (VG), Verlagsgruppe Handelsblatt, Veronica Internet, Virgin Net Limited, Visual Systems, VNU Business Publications, VNU UK, Voice Of Taipei, Weather News, WebOffice, Worldsports, Wowow, Xstream Net Services, Yearling Communications, Yleisradio, Yomiuri News, YTV, ZAZ, ZDNet Australia, ZDNet China, ZDNet Japan, Zhol (Ringier AG), Ziff Davis Germany, Ziff-Davis UK Limited, and Zueri Online (TA Media AG).

20 Major Companies Standardizing on Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0

Corporations Rapidly Deploy Next-Generation Browser and Cite Active Channel, Active Desktop and Internet Explorer Administration Kit as Offering Significant Business Benefits

REDMOND, Wash. - Oct. 1, 1997 - Microsoft Corp. today announced that 20 major corporations representing a broad range of industries intend to deploy Microsoft® Internet Explorer 4.0 as their standard Web browser across more than 300,000 desktops. These leading companies are the first of the more than 200 enterprise customers that are actively evaluating Internet Explorer 4.0 for use in their organization.

The businesses announcing selection of Internet Explorer 4.0 as their Web client of choice are Bechtel Corp., Compaq Computer Corp., Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp., Countrywide Home Loans Inc., Dell Computer Corp., Ernst & Young LLP, General Mills, Mellon Bank Corp., Merrill Lynch, Monsanto Co., Ontario Hydro, Reynolds Metals Co., Nabisco, Shell Services Co., Siemens Energy and Automation Inc., Sprint PCS, The Dow Chemical Co., Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. and Wheat First Butcher Singer.

"The level of investment and commitment by these 20 industry-leading organizations on the day Internet Explorer 4.0 is released is a testament to the business value offered by technologies like Active Channel™ and Active Desktop™," said Brad Chase, vice president, marketing, application and Internet client group at Microsoft. "Among our top corporate accounts, Internet Explorer has taken the lead as the browser standard. We are confident this trend will bring millions of new users to the Internet and intranet over the coming year."

Active Channel, Active Desktop Help Make Internet Explorer 4.0 Best Choice for Corporations

One of the major reasons companies are rapidly adopting Internet Explorer 4.0 is its support for Active Channel content. Active Channel technology enables companies to deliver mission-critical information to their employees more quickly and easily, so employees can make better, more informed business decisions to keep their companies competitive. Corporations can use Active Channel to deliver their own custom, specialized information directly to the desktops of employees who need it, without employees having to search an intranet to retrieve it.

"With features like Active Channel, companies gain access to valuable intranet and Internet content," Chase said. "This dramatically increases their ability to make quicker business decisions and maintain a strong competitive advantage." For example, General Mills is using Active Channel content and Dynamic HTML - an Internet Explorer 4.0 standards-based technology that enables highly interactive Web pages - to create a new sales force application that lets managers subscribe to personalized sales reports and analyze sales data, whether they are connected to the network or working offline. This solution also uses Microsoft Internet Information Server, Microsoft SQL Server™ and Microsoft Transaction Server.

"Before Internet Explorer 4.0, our employees spent significant time finding the specific information they needed," said Lohr LeSueur, director of strategic planning for consumer food sales at General Mills. "With our custom Active Channel content, our users now have access to all the information they need, wherever they are."

In addition to building Active Channel content, businesses are taking advantage of the Active Desktop interface, a feature of Internet Explorer 4.0 that allows the Windows® operating system-based desktop to become a customized Web page. Customers are creating custom Active Desktop items to offer employees direct access to a broad range of continually updated corporate resources and information services, from simple utilities to complex business applications.

Toyota has created an Active Desktop item to give employees instant access to market data and competitive information - including demographics and sales information - without employees having to launch a separate window or application. Toyota and other companies are also using the Active Desktop to provide instant access to intranet search tools, corporate phone directories and other utilities.

Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit Lowers Cost of Ownership, Speeds Internet Explorer 4.0 Deployment to Thousands of Desktops

The Internet Explorer Administration Kit 4.0 helps lower the overall cost of PC ownership by giving corporate IT managers unmatched flexibility to customize and manage Internet Explorer 4.0 on all of their enterprise desktops. IT managers can easily configure and lock down virtually all the features of Internet Explorer 4.0 - including full control over Active Desktop items, Active Channel content that is available to users, and Security Zones - and quickly and easily change settings on thousands of desktops from a single, central location.

"The Internet Explorer Administration Kit has made it very easy for us at Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation to customize, deploy and lock down Internet Explorer 4.0," said Keith Perry, director, application technology at Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp. "Also, the Profile Manager included with the Internet Explorer Administration Kit allows our IT staff to change the settings of the browser or the Active Desktop remotely from one centralized location."

IT managers using the Internet Explorer Administration Kit also gain the flexibility to deploy Internet Explorer 4.0, along with additional custom applications and components, in virtually any way they want - via e-mail, an intranet Web page, CD-ROM, floppy disk or Microsoft Systems Management Server - producing additional savings of staff time and money.

In addition to providing advanced control over their desktop environments, the Internet Explorer Administration Kit, which will be available this week, gives companies access to premium Active Channel content from the world's top business information providers, including Bloomberg Financial Markets, ConnectedHealth.Net LLC, Desktop Data Inc., Dow Jones Markets, Economist Intelligence Unit, Elsevier Science, First Call Corp., LEXIS-NEXIS, The Official Airline Guide and Variety Magazine. The Internet Explorer Administration Kit 4.0 will be available for download from the Microsoft Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/ie/ieak/.

This announcement continues the unprecedented wave of industry momentum for Internet Explorer 4.0, including support from more than 50 of the top PC manufacturers, the top 10 Internet service providers, the top 200 solution providers, and over 500 of the world's leading publishers of business and consumer Web sites. Similarly, figures from a recent browser market-share report from Zona Research Inc. as well as a browser mind-share survey of corporate users by ComputerWorld Magazine indicate that Internet Explorer is taking the lead among enterprise users. Both reports cited Internet Explorer browser share among corporate users at approximately 36 percent, up from 8.5 percent in April 1996.

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, Active Channel, Active Desktop and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft's corporate information pages.

Questions and Answers about Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0

Q1. What are Internet Explorer 4.0 and the Active Desktop?
A1. Internet Explorer 4.0 is new software from Microsoft that changes the look and feel of your Windows 95 desktop. Microsoft calls this new desktop the Active Desktop. Internet Explorer 4.0 makes your desktop act much like a Web browser. It gives you new ways to look at information on the Internet directly from an Internet Channel bar on your Windows 95 desktop.

Q2. Does Internet Explorer 4.0 connect me to the Internet?
A2. Internet Explorer 4.0 allows you to view Internet content, but you must have an Internet service provider (ISP) and modem to use your phone line to connect to the Internet. Gateway provides Internet service to its customers for a fee. To use Gateway's service, click the Gateway Setup button on the Windows desktop.

Q3. Should I install Internet Explorer 4.0?
A3. If you want to explore the Internet in a new way, or if you want to see how your Windows 95 desktop can act more like a Web browser, you will probably enjoy Internet Explorer 4.0. If you are happy with Windows 95 and are not interested in the Internet Channels, you will get along fine without Internet Explorer 4.0.

Q4. How do I install Internet Explorer 4.0?
A4. While Windows 95 is running, first exit any programs that you are running, then insert the Internet Explorer 4.0 CD into your CD-ROM drive. The CD will start automatically. Click the Install Internet Explorer 4.0 button to begin installation.

Q5. How do I use America Online as a connection for Internet Explorer 4.0?
A5. Start America Online. After you are connected to it, minimize the America Online window. Internet Explorer 4.0 will find the connection and use it automatically.

Q6. How do I change settings after Internet Explorer 4.0 is installed?
A6. You can change settings for Internet Explorer 4.0 in three places:
1. Click on the My Computer icon on your Windows desktop. In the View menu, select Folder Options. There you will see choices for how you want your desktop to be. For more information click on a choice and then press the F1 key. Click OK to save changes.
2. Click on My Computer, then click on Control Panel, and then click on Display. Click on the Web tab near the top of the window. Here you can choose which Internet Explorer 4.0 parts to have on your desktop. You can also remove them permanently. Click OK to save changes.
3. Advanced users will find additional settings under the Internet icon in the Control Panel.

Q7. What are Active Channels? How do I add and remove them?
A7. Active Channels are Web sites on the Internet, usually owned by other companies, that can send information to your computer. Each of the buttons on the Internet Explorer 4.0 Channel bar connects you to a different Channel. You can add Channels by clicking on the Channel Guide button at the top of the Channel bar. You can remove a Channel by right-clicking on it and selecting Delete. Answer 6 explains how to permanently remove an entire part, such as the Channel bar.

Q8. What are subscriptions for Channels? Do they cost extra?
A8. Some companies that provide Channels ask you to subscribe when you connect. Subscribing sometimes allows you to schedule when new information is downloaded to your computer. Some companies want information about you or want you to see advertisements in return for a subscription. Others might ask that you fill in your credit card number so that they can charge you for a service.

Q9. What is the small square box on my desktop?
A9. This is the Daily Comic Active Desktop item, which is linked to the Disney Web site when you are connected to the Internet. It receives a daily comic picture from Disney and provides access to other fun areas at Disney's Web site.

Q10. How do I open and close the Channel bar and the Daily Comic button?
A10. To close one, place the cursor over it to make a triangle appear in the upper left corner. Click the triangle and select Close. To reopen it, right-click on the desktop, click Properties, click the Web tab, check the box to the left of one that you want to show, and then click OK.

Q11. When I subscribe to Channels, I get messages with check boxes that say "always trust" the company that provides the channel. What does that mean?
A11. Some Channels store information on your computer's hard drive. They ask permission before doing this. Checking the "always trust" box allows the Channel to store information without repeatedly asking permission.

Q12. How do I uninstall Internet Explorer 4.0?
A12. To uninstall, click on My Computer, then Control Panel, then Add/Remove Programs. Select Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0, then click the Add/Remove button. Then follow the instructions on the screen.

For more information, or to download additional Internet Explorer 4.0 applications, go to Microsoft's Web site at http://www.Microsoft.com and check for information on Internet Explorer 4.0.