REDMOND, Wash., July 2- Microsoft Corp.today announced the availability of the first release candidate (RC1) for Windows® XP, the new Microsoft® Windows operating system for home and business. Windows XP RC1, the first feature-complete version of the operating system, provides consumers and corporations with the opportunity to evaluate and experience Windows XP prior to its Oct. 25 launch. Windows XP RC1 is the result of a tremendous amount of customer and tester feedback. More than 500,000 testers have been involved in the beta testing program to date. "The feedback that Microsoft has received from over half a million beta testers tells us loud and clear that people are superexcited about the experiences enabled by Windows XP and that we're in the home stretch for delivering the system to our customers,'' said Jim Allchin, group vice president of the Windows Division at Microsoft. "Today's release of RC1 further underscores Microsoft's commitment to excellence and to delivering the highest-quality product to our customers on Oct. 25.'' "It has been exciting to participate in the development of Windows XP and to know that our feedback has had an impact on what the final product will be,'' said Mike Larson, senior vice president and general manager of the Access Business Group at Compaq Computer Corp. "We believe the experiences that Windows XP will deliver on Compaq's PCs will truly change the way customers think about computing.'' Through Windows XP RC1, users will be also able to experience the features planned for the final product including Windows Messenger, a new real-time communications facility that enables people to see, talk, work and play with friends, family and colleagues online. In addition, RC1 introduces new Visual Desktop Color, Schemes, performance improvements and greater applications and device compatibility. Windows RC1 provides businesses with the ideal opportunity to begin evaluating Windows XP Professional and experience improved security, reliability and performance combined with new features such as Remote Assistance and Windows Messenger. Businesses can receive evaluation kits either through Microsoft TechNet at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/default.asp or through a subscription in the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN). More information can be found at http://msdn.microsoft.com/default.asp. "Wells Fargo is eagerly awaiting the release of Windows XP. Windows XP incorporates many advanced administration features that will allow us to significantly reduce our computing operation costs and total cost of ownership when compared with Windows 2000,'' said Dustin R. Sauter, enterprise systems architect for Wells Fargo. "We see Windows XP as a substantial and critical release instead of an incremental upgrade. Wells Fargo has been deploying Windows XP throughout its enterprise since Beta 1, and we are extremely pleased with what we have been seeing.'' More than 100,000 participants are enrolled in the Windows XP Preview Program, and for a small fee, consumers can join the program and test drive Windows XP prior to its general availability on Oct. 25. Program members who ordered a copy of Windows XP RC1 will receive it immediately through their selected option of either a download provided in agreement with Conxion Corp. or through the post. In addition to receiving a copy of Windows XP RC1, participants will be automatically eligible to receive the Windows XP Preview Program Newsletter, which will contain technical information on how to take advantage of the powerful new functionality that Windows XP can deliver. Registeration for the Windows XP Preview Program is available through http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/preview/. "It's been exciting for Dell to participate in the development of Windows XP,'' said Jim Totton, vice president of software for the Client Product Group at Dell Computer Corp. "Knowing that our input and interaction with Microsoft has had an impact and will deliver a better user experience for our customers is very rewarding.'' Building on the momentum of the Internet and digital media, Windows XP includes many improvements that increase productivity and provide both business and home users with an easy-to-use and exciting PC experience. Windows XP extends the personal computing experience by uniting PCs, devices and services and brings the solid foundation of Windows 2000 to home PC users enhancing reliability, security and performance. Windows XP acts as an integration point on the Web, both in home, on the move and at work with Internet Explorer 6 technologies and improved Web services. Windows XP also makes end-to-end scenarios, such as photography and music, intuitive and dependable.