Microsoft Corp. today announced the completion of the 2007 Microsoft� Office system code and confirmed its release to manufacturing (RTM). This gold code milestone concludes the largest Microsoft Office beta program to date, with more than 3.5 million people downloading Beta 2. The unprecedented quantity of feedback from beta testers and customers helped the Office development team effectively validate product quality and optimize performance. Microsoft Office RTM also marks a critical step toward worldwide business availability of the 2007 Office system, Windows Vista� operating system and Exchange Server 2007 on Nov. 30, 2006. To underscore the significance of this new day for business, Microsoft executives will participate in events around the globe, including an event with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in New York. General availability of the products will follow in early 2007.

�We�ve crossed the development finish line, and the team deserves to celebrate,� said Jeff Raikes, president of the Microsoft Business Division. �The 2007 Microsoft Office system RTM completes the most significant improvements to the products in more than a decade. It�s rewarding to be able to send this release off to our customers and help them take the next big leap forward in productivity.�

Today�s RTM begins the delivery of new tools and resources that will allow customers to learn about, try and buy the next release of Microsoft Office: