Microsoft Introduces Internet Explorer

Internet Browser Designed Specifically for Windows 95 Offers Customers Easy Access to the Internet

Redmond, Wash. — Aug. 17, 1995 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the Microsoft® Internet Explorer, an Internet browser designed specifically for the Microsoft Windows® 95 operating system.  The Internet Explorer takes full advantage of the advancements in Windows 95 to offer customers easy access to the Internet and high performance.  It is also the first Internet browser to ship with real-time audio capabilities.  Broad availability of the Internet Explorer will coincide with the scheduled Aug. 24 launch of Windows 95.

“We recognize the importance of the Internet and know our customers have choices when it comes to Internet access,” said Brad Silverberg, senior vice president of the personal systems division at Microsoft.  “Our goal is to provide Windows 95 customers with a solution that combines superior integration with Windows 95, great ease of use and high performance.”

The Internet Explorer is part of the Microsoft Internet Jumpstart Kit, which will offer PC users an easy way to connect to the Internet from within Windows 95, no matter which Internet access provider they choose.  However, users who choose MSN as their Internet access provider have the added benefits of one-button sign-up via MSN, the ability to maintain access to the Internet and MSN simultaneously with only one connection, and shortcut capabilities enabling access to MSN content with a single mouse click.  The Internet Jumpstart Kit also includes set-up wizards that let users set-up their access to the Internet with the click of a single button.

The Internet Explorer mirrors the Windows 95 easy-to-use interface, supports Windows Shortcuts to the Internet, includes an Internet tutorial and comprehensive search engine, supports full drag and drop of text and graphics, shields users from Internet jargon (such as “protocols” and “data types”), and works well with other Windows 95-based applications.  It’s integrated support for Windows Shortcuts means users can go from their desktops to any of their favorite Web sites just by clicking a single icon, without having to launch their connectivity software separately, dial their service providers, open their Web browsers, and navigate to the desired Web sites.

High Performance, Richer Look and Feel

In addition to its ease of use, the Internet Explorer provides fast and full access to the World Wide Web based on its support for all popular Internet standards.  It supports all industry-standard hypertext markup language tags, so users can read the broad range of Internet content.  It supports proxy servers to allow protected access to the Internet through corporate “fire walls” making it compatible with corporate security mechanisms for Internet access.  And it preserves the original look of Web-page text and graphics, enabling end users to view content as authors designed it to look.

The Internet Explorer is also the first Internet browser to ship with the RealAudio Player, allowing users equipped with conventional multimedia PCs and voice-grade telephone lines to browse, select and play back audio or audio-based multimedia content in real time.

“We are pleased that Microsoft has chosen to include the RealAudio Player as a standard feature of Windows 95 Internet Explorer,” said Rob Glaser, president and CEO of Progressive Networks Inc.  “Users will now be able to fully experience the richness of the Internet when they access content such as special events, news and literature that incorporate audio features as part of the presentation.”

The Internet Explorer is the latest example of Microsoft’s long-standing support for the Internet, which dates to its integration of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol/Windows Internet Naming Service (DHCP/WINS) specifications in the Windows NT™ Server network operating system and its support for TCP/IP in Windows® for Workgroups.  Microsoft has expanded on that support with inclusion of PPP, SLIP, RAS and TCP/IP in Windows 95 and the Internet Explorer.  Additionally, Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0 includes the Internet Assistant, which makes it easier for customers to publish documents for the World Wide Web directly from within Microsoft Word.

Microsoft has been working on the Internet Explorer since it licensed browser technology from Spyglass in January 1995.  Since January, Microsoft has enhanced this core technology to offer improved ease of use and performance.

Availability

The Internet Explorer is scheduled to be widely available with the scheduled release of Windows 95 on Aug. 24.  Users can obtain it in many ways:

• As part of Microsoft Plus!, the companion product for Windows 95.  Microsoft Plus! customers also receive 20 hours of access time on MSN™ free of charge when they sign up for the MSN “frequent user monthly plan”.
• Download via a broad range of online services and servers including CompuServe®, MSN and Microsoft’s World Wide Web home page (http://www.microsoft.com).
• Pre-installation by OEMs on many of the personal computers available after Aug. 24.

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

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Compuserve is a registered trademark of CompuServe Inc.

For More Information, Press Only:

Pam Kahl, Waggener Edstrom, (408) 986-1140