Works 4.0 for Windows 95 Press Release (137883)

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Microsoft Gives Small Businesses the Works
With New Version of Best-Selling Integrated Application for Windows

Microsoft Works and Bookshelf '95 for Windows 95 Answers the Demand
For All-in-One, Simple Way to Get the Job Done, for Approximately $79.95

REDMOND, Wash. - Aug. 21, 1995 - Small-business and home-office
computer users don't have time to learn a lot of complicated
software, yet they often have to wear multiple computing hats - word
processor user, bookkeeper and on-the-spot budget creator.  They want
top performance, simplicity and computing that works - they need the
new Microsoft(r) Works & Bookshelf(r) '95 CD-ROM reference library
for the Windows(r) 95 operating system, available for an introductory
price of approximately $79.95 (U.S.) or Microsoft Works for Windows
95 available on diskette for an introductory price of approximately
$54.95 (U.S.).

This new version of the world's best-selling integrated software for
the Windows(r) operating system, announced today, has been expanded
and redesigned to take full advantage of Microsoft's powerful new
Windows 95 and includes even more wizards than previous versions.

Works & Bookshelf '95 for Windows 95 is Microsoft's response to
ongoing requests from small-business users to make computing more
productive and hassle-free.  Already the world's most popular
integrated software package for Windows, the latest version of Works
makes it even easier to accomplish everyday computing tasks
efficiently, intuitively and professionally.

"Microsoft Works for Windows has been an incredibly successful
product and boasts more than 13 million users worldwide," said Patty
Stonesifer, senior vice president of the consumer division at
Microsoft.  "Now optimized to take advantage of the Windows 95
productivity features, Microsoft Works raises ease of use and
integration to a new level, and its new task-based efficiency and
simplicity will make it easier than ever for small businesses to get
the job done."

"Microsoft Works for Windows has always been very popular with our
customers," said Gary Schweikhart, director of public relations for
Office Depot, "And we are extremely pleased to feature the new
Microsoft Works & Bookshelf for Windows 95 since it is such a great
value for small business owners."

For a complete business and home solution, the CD-ROM version of Works for
Windows 95 also includes the Microsoft Bookshelf '95 reference
library.  Microsoft Bookshelf is a comprehensive collection of the
following eight essential reference tools:  The American Heritage
Dictionary, The Original Roget's Thesaurus, The World Almanac(r) and
Book of Facts 1995, The Concise Columbia Dictionary of Quotations,
The People's Chronology, The Hammond Intermediate World Atlas, and
the National Five-Digit ZIP Code(r) and Post Office Directory.  The
latter is useful for the small-business owner who is creating a
letter and needs to know the
ZIP Code for Topeka, Kan., for example.  The user now can look it up
without ever leaving the application.

Small-Business Tasks Made Easy With New Task Launcher and 39 TaskWizards

Works now includes a new Task Launcher, which takes users immediately
to the desired task and lets them focus on the results, instead of
the software.  The Task Launcher offers TaskWizards for 39 common
business, education and home tasks, including letters, bids, invoices
and grade books.  The TaskWizard asks a few questions, then creates
professional-looking documents automatically that are suitable for a
range of business purposes.

"As a small-business owner, I need software that helps me get my work
done as quickly as possible, but that still looks professional," said
Gayle Green, owner of G&G Farms Data Services.  "Microsoft Works
answers all my computing needs and has every tool I could ever hope
for.  The new TaskWizards in Microsoft Works give me great results
quickly and easily, allowing me even more time to focus on growing my
business."

If users prefer using traditional computer application tools instead
of the Task Launcher, Works for Windows 95 still provides users with
direct access to a word processor for writing letters and memos, a
database for keeping track of lists, a spreadsheet for preparing
budgets and calculations, and communication tools for dialing up
online services.

Works Makes Correspondence a Breeze

Writing letters, the most common business computing task, has never
been easier.  Users can choose Letter from the Task Launcher, and the
TaskWizard will help them add formatting to their letters or other
documents.  If users are having trouble finding the right words or
styles when creating letters, they can select from more than 100
sample letters in the LetterWorks(r) products that are included.  The
Letter TaskWizard can even access the user's address book to set up a
mail merge.  In addition, new Easy Formats produce common formatting
results quickly, without a lot of steps.

Take the Hassles out of Small-Business Bookkeeping With Instant Databases

Another common small-business task is bookkeeping, including tracking
amounts owed or due and creating and printing invoices and
statements.  For users who need to perform basic bookkeeping tasks,
such as tracking budgets and accounts payable, Microsoft Works can
meet their needs.  The new Account TaskWizard creates databases for
accounting information automatically, then produces reports on
overdue accounts, monthly activities and month-end statements.

With the inclusion of a new Easy Calc function, users no longer have
to define complicated formulas and complete spreadsheet fields.
Users can select a function in simple English - using words such as
sum, multiply and average - highlight the cells that are to be
calculated, and Easy Calc does the work automatically.

Optimization for Windows 95 Means Greater Ease of Use

Because Works is optimized for the Windows 95 operating system, users
are able to take advantage of several new features in Windows 95,
such as long file names, right-mouse-button functionality and fast
printing.  Easy-to-understand long file names can be used, so a
letter can be named New Business Pitch Letter instead of
Nwbizltr.doc.  In addition, users can click the right-mouse button to
perform common computing tasks quickly, such as cut, copy, paste or
move.  Printing also is much faster and more intuitive.  Instead of
having to go through a number of  steps to print a file - start an
application by searching for it in File Manager and then opening it -
Works will print a file directly from the new Windows 95 Explorer.

Works for Windows 95 supports Plug and Play capabilities in Windows
 With Plug and Play, users can add modems to their computers
without having to reconfigure their systems or the Works
applications.  This makes dialing into an online service or bulletin
board easier than ever.  Works for Windows 95 also provides a direct
connection to the Works Forum on The Microsoft Network (extra charges
will apply).  Users can access tips, ideas and templates; contact
Microsoft product support; or share information with other users of
Works.

Burn Those Bulky Support Manuals

Small-business owners are busy running their businesses.  The last
thing they have time for is searching through thick manuals to figure
out how to get a job done.  Works for Windows 95 offers a simple,
straightforward Help system.  Context-sensitive, procedural Help
features, completely redesigned for Works for Windows 95, give users
as much - or as little - additional information as they desire to
complete their tasks.

Works Help is now designed with step-by-step instructions that walk
users through the task at hand.  Also new to Works for Windows 95,
Help is readily available on a permanent screen to the right of the
task, so users can access it when needed.  Works resizes and
repositions the task and the Help dialog box automatically, so both
are visible at the same time.

Works for Windows 95 comes with a Works Companion, a concise guide
that teaches by example and provides ideas and tips for using Works.
The Works Companion responds to the common user preference of
learning by doing, not reading.

Interoperability Makes Sharing Objects Easier

Works for Windows 95 lets users insert clip art, drawings, charts,
WordArt and other objects into documents, right from the menu bar and
without thinking about how or where the object was created.  For
example, Works lets users create a spreadsheet within a word
processing document.

In addition, all Works for Windows 95 documents can be used with
Microsoft Office 95 applications such as Microsoft Excel and Word.
And, if users' computing needs change over time, they can upgrade
easily to Microsoft Office 95 and take all of their Works for Windows
95 files with them.

Microsoft Works also is compatible with the new Microsoft Publisher
CD Deluxe for Windows 95. Since both Microsoft Works and Publisher
are targeted at small-business owners, the products are designed to
work together seamlessly. Users can import a story created in Works
directly into Publisher, enabling small-business owners to create
marketing materials quickly and easily.

Pricing and Availability

Microsoft Works & Bookshelf '95 for Windows 95 on CD-ROM is scheduled
to be available on Aug. 24 for an introductory price of approximately
$79.95 (through Dec. 31, 1995). Works for Windows 95 on diskette is
scheduled to be available for an introductory price of approximately
$54.95 (through Dec. 31, 1995).

Registered users of previous versions of Works (for the Windows or
MS-DOS(r)  operating systems) will receive a coupon for a $10 rebate
when they purchase Works for Windows 95.  Registered owners of Works
who purchased the product after July 15, 1995, can upgrade to Works
for Windows 95 at no charge (offer expires Dec. 31, 1995).

System Requirements

Works for Windows 95 requires a personal computer with a 386DX or
higher processor (486 recommended) running the Microsoft Windows 95
operating system with 6 MB of RAM (8 MB recommended) or the Windows
NT(tm) Workstation operating system version 3.51 with
12 MB of RAM, a 3.5-inch high-density disk drive, 5 to 20 MB of
available hard-disk space, and a VGA or higher-resolution video
adapter (Super VGA for 256-color support recommended).  A Microsoft
Mouse or compatible pointing device is also recommended.  For
communications and online access, a 2400 bps or higher
Hayes(r)-compatible modem is required.  A CD-ROM drive is required
for Works Bookshelf '95 for Windows 95.

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.

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Microsoft, Bookshelf, Windows, MS-DOS and Windows NT are either
registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United
States and/or other countries.

The World Almanac and The World Almanac and Book of Facts are
registered trademarks of Funk & Wagnalls Corp.

ZIP Code is a registered trademark of the U.S. Postal Service.
LetterWorks is a registered trademark of Round Lake Publishing Co.
Hayes is a registered trademark of Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc.
<BR/><BR/>
The ZIP Code database is licensed from the United States Postal Service.
Microsoft is a nonexclusive licensee of the United States Postal
Service.  The ZIP Code database in intended for reference purposes
only and may not be used for the purposes of qualifying for postal
rate discounts.