Microsoft and Intel Announce Preview Release of 64-Bit Windows for Intel Itanium Processor

Preview Release of 64-Bit Windows a Key Milestone For Developers and Hardware Manufacturers

ORLANDO, Fla., July 12, 2000 — Today at the Microsoft^® Professional Developer Conference, Microsoft Corp. and Intel Corp. announced the preview release of the 64-bit Windows^® operating system for the Intel^® Itanium™ processor. This preview release of 64-bit Windows is a key milestone that provides developers and hardware manufacturers with a version of the operating system that can be used in the final development stages of next-generation 64-bit hardware and software. It is available to developers who utilize Intel Itanium processor-based systems in their development process.

Microsoft and Intel today also announced the availability of updated software development kits (SDKs) and driver development kits (DDKs) for developers. These tools represent the latest step in a continuing effort since early 1998 to assist developers building 64-bit applications for 64-bit Windows on Intel Itanium processor based systems.

"Today's efforts are part of Microsoft's and Intel's ongoing commitment to deliver IA-64 hardware and software to meet the demanding needs of the Internet and e-business," said Anand Chandrasekher, vice president, Intel Architecture Group. "The delivery of the 64-bit Windows preview release and updated development tools represent large steps toward the final delivery of Windows-based solutions on IA-64."

"The 64-bit Windows platform is a native 64-bit operating system based on Windows 2000," said Jim Ewel, vice president of the Windows Hosting and Infrastructure Group at Microsoft. "The platform utilizes the advanced architecture of the Intel Itanium processor to provide enterprise customers with the next generation of scalability and reliability for mission-critical enterprise computing."

Updated Development Tools and Remote Testing for 64-bit Windows

The updated SDKs and DDKs announced today are available to developers working on building 64-bit Windows-based applications and device drivers. Using these tools, development work can occur on existing 32-bit Windows 2000-based systems. Since February, Microsoft also has been providing developers who do not have Itanium processor-based systems with remote access to a farm of Itanium processor-based servers. Developers can use these servers to test their 64-bit Windows-based applications over the Internet using their 32-bit Windows 2000-based development environments. Developers can register for access to the remote-server farm developers can register by sending e-mail to DrgWin64@Microsoft.com and stating their requirements.

"SAP is working very closely with Intel and Microsoft to offer customers mySAP.com e-Business solutions for the powerful new 64-bit Windows platform," said Karl-Heinz Hess, executive vice president and member of the extended executive board of SAP AG. "As a leader on the Itanium processor platform, we have already demonstrated SAP solutions running on 64-bit Windows, and the 64-bit Windows preview release will enable us to deliver complete optimized applications."

Microsoft 64-bit Windows

The 64-bit Windows operating system running on Intel Itanium-based processors allows extremely large amounts of data to be processed more efficiently. Memory-intensive applications can preload substantially more data into memory for rapid access by the IA-64 processor. This reduces the time for loading data into virtual memory or for seeking, reading and writing to data-storage devices, making applications run faster and more efficiently.

The 64-bit Windows operating system is designed to address the most demanding business needs of today's Internet-based world, including e-commerce, data mining, online transaction processing, memory-intensive high-end graphics, complex mathematics and high-performance multimedia applications.

Final system requirements, pricing and packaging have yet to be announced. More information on 64-bit Windows can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/guide/platform/strategic/ 64bit.asp .

About the Intel Itanium Processor

The Itanium processor is the first in a family of IA-64 processors from Intel and is the most significant new development in Intel microprocessor architecture since the 386 processor was introduced in 1985. Intel's Itanium processor will complement today's Pentium^® III processor and Pentium III Xeon™ 32-bit processor families with new features for high-end scalability, reliability, availability and large memory addressability. It extends Intel's reach into the highest levels of computing to enable powerful servers and high-performance workstations to address the increasing demands that the Internet economy places on e-businesses. More information on the Itanium processor is available at http://developer.intel.com/design/ia-64/ .

About Intel

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at http://www.intel.com/pressroom/ .

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.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the 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.

Top of page