REDMOND, Wash. -- March 28, 2003 -- Microsoft Corp. today announced the release to manufacturing (RTM) of Microsoft® Windows® XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003. Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 is optimized to enable customers to take advantage of the performance enhancements in the Intel Itanium 2 processor.

Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 is a high-performance desktop platform that enables the next generation of powerful Windows-based applications for Itanium 2. The platform is designed for customers solving complex scientific problems, developing high-performance design and engineering applications, creating 3-D animations, or producing videos.

"We are committed to continually enhancing 64-bit computing on the desktop for our customers," said Brian Valentine, senior vice president of the Windows Division at Microsoft Corp. "With Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003, customers can run complex technical applications and a wide range of Windows-based business productivity tools on a single platform."

The Windows 64-bit architecture gives developers the freedom to create 64-bit applications using the familiar Windows programming model, encouraging the development of a wide-ranging set of software applications for the platform.

Microsoft and Intel Corp. began collaborating on 64-bit computing in 1996. In 2001, with Windows XP 64-Bit Edition, Microsoft delivered 64-bit desktop operating system support for the first-generation Itanium processor.

"Customers have long benefited from the platform synergy between Microsoft and Intel, from desktops to workstations to servers," said Mike Fister, senior vice president and general manager of the Intel Enterprise Platform Group. "We are very excited to now be moving into the next generation of high-end workstation computing with Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 for Itanium 2-based systems."

Today's RTM coincides with the RTM of the entire family of Windows Server 2003 products, including Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition for 64-bit Itanium 2 Systems and Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition for 64-bit Itanium 2 Systems. Microsoft will formally launch these products worldwide April 24 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 is available to developers now through MSDN® and is scheduled to be available to customers through PC manufacturers in the second quarter of this year.