Microsoft Announces Greater OEM Flexibility For Windows
Changes Will Not Affect Oct. 25 Launch Date of Windows XP
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Thursday, July 12, 2001 - Microsoft New Zealand announced today that it is offering computer
manufacturers greater flexibility in configuring desktop versions of the Microsoft® Windows® operating system in light
of the recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The company said the changes would not
affect the Oct. 25 launch date of Windows XP.
"We recognize that some provisions in our existing Windows licenses have been ruled improper by the U.S. court, so we
are providing computer manufacturers with greater flexibility. We are doing this immediately so that computer
manufacturers can plan for the upcoming release of Windows XP," said Terry Allen, Microsoft New Zealand Business
Solutions Group Manager. "Windows XP represents a revolutionary step forward in personal computing, and computer
manufacturers and consumers are looking forward to this product with great anticipation."
"This announcement does not take the place of settlement discussions with the government parties or any future steps in
the legal process; however, we wanted to take immediate steps in light of the court's ruling. We are hopeful that we can
work with the government parties on the issues that remain after the court's ruling," Allen added.
The U.S. appeals court ruled that certain provisions in Microsoft's licenses with PC manufacturers impaired the
distribution of third-party Web browsers. Microsoft will now provide PC manufacturers with the following new
flexibility:
* PC manufacturers will have the option to remove the Start menu entries and icons that provide end users with
access to the Internet Explorer components of the operating system. Microsoft will include Internet Explorer in the
Add/Remove programs feature in Windows XP.
* PC manufacturers will have the option to remove the Start menu entries and icons that provide end users with
access to Internet Explorer from previous versions of Windows, including Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Windows Me.
* PC manufacturers will retain the option of putting icons directly onto the Windows desktop. Based on extensive
customer usability studies, Microsoft had designed Windows XP to ship with a clean desktop and improved Start menu, but
PC manufacturers will now have the option of continuing to place icons on the Windows desktop if they want to.
* Consumers will be able to use the Add-Remove Programs feature in Windows XP to remove end-user access to the
Internet Explorer components of the operating system. Microsoft has always made it easy for consumers to delete the
icons for Internet Explorer, but will now offer consumers this additional option in Windows XP.
Although some of these changes will require development work and testing for Windows XP, Microsoft can complete the work
and will be able to meet the date for worldwide launch on Oct. 25.
About Windows XP Windows XP will offer customers exciting new experiences for both home and work. Whether someone is an
aspiring photographer or a businessperson on the road, Windows XP enables them to embrace the new digital world. It
brings together the power and reliability that businesses have asked for with the ease of use and flexibility that home
consumers want. About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") 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. ######### Microsoft and
Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.