With Microsoft� Windows� XP, the eagerly anticipated next version of the Microsoft Windows operating system, now just weeks away from its widespread availability on Oct. 25, Microsoft Corp. is working with key software and hardware developers to ensure that consumers' favorite software applications and hardware are compatible with Windows XP, which provides a great experience for customers.

At launch, Windows XP will support approximately 12,000 third-party devices -- from scanners and printers to external drives and add-in cards -- nearly twice the number supported by Windows 2000 at its launch. Windows XP also will support the vast majority of popular software applications. More than 1,500 new applications and 4,000 existing applications were tested. In addition, Microsoft worked with software vendors to fix more than 900 applications that did not previously work on Windows 2000. As a result of extensive testing in the United States, 90 percent of the 1,500 most popular applications (distributed in North America) will run on Windows XP. An additional 2,000 applications are being tested outside the United States, and initial results show that 80 percent to 95 percent are compatible. In addition, Microsoft has invested more than $150 million on application and device compatibility, research, testing and evangelism for Windows XP. Microsoft has also employed 600 people worldwide to conduct compatibility testing for applications and devices.

Microsoft is working with partners to go the extra mile to ensure a great experience with Windows XP. To do that, Microsoft has created the Designed for Windows logo program to establish a higher level of quality for hardware and software performance on Windows XP, with the goal of providing the best experience for users of Windows XP. The program has had widespread support from more than 100 PC industry leaders. There are 600 software applications, hardware devices and PC systems that have received the Designed for Windows logo already, and many more are expected by launch.

"Logitech enthusiastically supports the Windows XP platform, with its power to offer media-rich communication to all users," said Collette Bunton, vice president of the Americas Region at Logitech. "Our audio and video products are ideal devices for taking advantage of this new power, and we have been working closely with Microsoft to help ensure the best possible user experience."

"We have been working closely with Microsoft to make certain that all our products will be compatible with Windows XP and also pass the Designed for Windows XP Logo requirements," said Steve Cullen, senior vice president of Symantec Corp. "Windows XP is an outstanding platform to support Symantec's family of Internet security and problem-solving solutions and will ultimately provide users with a high-quality and secure solution."