LOS ANGELES — June 4, 2012 — Step back into the boots of mankind’s greatest hero. Hit the open road in some of the world’s most exotic supercars. Wield magic with your fingertips and dance your heart out. Today, on the eve of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Microsoft Corp. unveiled a portfolio of games demonstrating that no matter what kind of game gets your heart pounding, Xbox 360 is the only place to play all of this year’s biggest blockbusters and brand-new titles.

Spearheaded by the return of Master Chief in the most-anticipated entertainment launch of the year, “Halo 4,” Microsoft showcased a spectacular lineup of titles found only on Xbox 360, including “Forza Horizon,” “Fable: The Journey” and the world premiere of “Gears of War: Judgment” — setting the stage for the platform’s biggest holiday yet. Delighting music fans around the world, global entertainment icon Usher lit up the stage at Microsoft’s E3 media briefing with a surprise performance of his smash hit “Scream.” Backed by amazing in-game visuals, Usher blew the crowd away with a dance routine created for “Dance Central 3,” the next installment of the bestselling dance game on Kinect for Xbox 360. Microsoft also unveiled brand-new titles “Ascend: New Gods,” “Wreckateer,” “Matter” and “Lococycle.”

In addition, the industry’s biggest and best publishers were on hand to showcase why the most highly anticipated games are best played on Xbox 360. Activision wowed gamers with the first live gameplay demonstration of “Call of Duty®: Black Ops II." Making their worldwide debuts on Microsoft’s E3 stage, Ubisoft Entertainment’s “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell®: Blacklist™” and THQ Inc.’s “South Park: The Stick of Truth” were both confirmed to feature Kinect voice-recognition functionality. With the help of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana, EA SPORTS showed off the future of sports videogames with demonstrations of “Madden NFL 2013” and “FIFA 2013” using the power of voice on Kinect. Microsoft further delighted audiences with news that Capcom Entertainment Inc.’s “Resident Evil® 6,” Square Enix Co. Ltd.’s “Tomb Raider” and THQ’s “South Park: The Stick of Truth” will all feature add-on content that will be available first only on Xbox 360.

“2012 is a landmark year for Xbox,” said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Studios. “This year, we’re delivering an incredible lineup of games with many of the most-anticipated exclusives, such as ‘Halo 4,’ ‘Forza Horizon’ and ‘Fable: The Journey,’ and brand-new franchises, such as ‘Wreckateer’ and ‘Lococycle.’ We’re also the best place to experience blockbusters such as ‘Call of Duty®: Black Ops II.’ Our message is simple: Whether it’s one of our beloved franchises or something totally new, there’s only one place to find them all — Xbox 360.”

With immersive games for the adventurous hero, racing fiend and dance superstar within us all, Xbox 360 is poised to unleash an unprecedented landslide of blockbuster games for everyone, including the following:

• “Ascend: New Gods” (Signal Studios, Microsoft Studios). Signal Studios, the developers behind the hit franchise “Toy Soldiers,” is pleased to announce its new action role-playing game (RPG), “Ascend: New Gods.” Enter the world as Caos, a gigantic breed of mighty warriors created to serve the will of the Gods. Combat the immortal Titans while fending off attacks from rival players and establishing your influence in the global Ascend conflict. Epic three-scale combat takes place across immense landscapes and limitless dungeons. “Ascend: New Gods” offers unprecedented connectivity across mobile and console Xbox LIVE platforms. Wage war against Xbox 360 players from your mobile phone, gain power and prestige, and transfer it all to your console — anywhere, anytime.

• “Avatar Motocross Madness” (Bongfish GmbH, Microsoft Studios). The classic motocross (MX) series returns in “Avatar Motocross Madness.” Engage in intense MX racing, exploration and social competition. Fly over huge jumps and perform insane tricks in extreme off-road races, competing with your friends in the Bike Club async social network. Challenge your friends’ times, beat their scores and race against their ghosts to stay at the top of your club. Then take your bike to explore three vast environments: freestyle riding, collecting special items and discovering hidden secrets. “Avatar Motocross Madness” brings back all the fun and excitement of the original series in a whole new way.

• “Dance Central 3” (Harmonix Music Systems Inc., Microsoft Studios). The bestselling dance series game on Kinect returns this fall with “Dance Central 3.” “Dance Central 3” features dance hits from today and also sends players back in time to the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and ’00s — hitting the dance floor to learn classic dances like “The Hustle,” “Electric Boogie” and “The Dougie.” Premier music video game developer Harmonix keeps the dance party going with a new multiplayer party mode for up to eight players and the hottest, most diverse soundtrack yet. Featuring Usher, Daft Punk, Gloria Gaynor, 50 Cent and many more, “Dance Central 3” is sure to get any dance party started.

• “Fable: The Journey” (Lionhead Studios, Microsoft Studios). “Fable: The Journey” offers a whole new way to experience the deep storyline and picturesque world of Albion that fans have come to know and love. Set 50 years after the events of “Fable III,” this new version asks you to come to the aid of the mysterious Theresa, who thrusts you into an action-packed adventure full of dangerous enemies, hair-raising chases and humorous characters. Built from the ground up for Kinect, “Fable: The Journey” gives you the power to wield magic as a deadly weapon, defend yourself in combat and solve puzzles on your journey to becoming a hero."Fable The Journey" will launch on Oct. 9, 2012, in North America, South America, Asia and Australia and Oct. 12, 2012, in EMEA.

• “FIFA 2013.” “FIFA 2013” captures all the drama and unpredictability of real-world football. This year, the game creates a true battle for possession across the entire pitch, and delivers freedom and creativity in attack. Driven by five game-changing innovations that revolutionize artificial intelligence, dribbling, ball control and physical play, “FIFA 2013” represents the largest and deepest feature set in the history of the franchise.

• “Forza Horizon” (Playground Games/Turn 10 Studios, Microsoft Studios). Combining the legendary “Forza Motorsport” authenticity with a festival atmosphere and the freedom of the open road, “Forza Horizon” is a high-intensity, action-racing game set against the backdrop of the world’s most unique motorsport party. Featuring an expansive landscape, daring driving maneuvers to master, a rousing soundtrack and visceral moment-to-moment gameplay, “Forza Horizon” offers an immersive pick-up-and-play experience while retaining the unrivaled realism, diversity and innovation that are hallmarks of the “Forza Motorsport” franchise.

• “Gears of War: Judgment” (Epic Games, People Can Fly, Microsoft Studios). “Gears of War: Judgment” takes you back before the events of the original “Gears of War” trilogy to the immediate aftermath of Emergence Day — the defining event of the “Gears of War” universe. Follow Kilo Squad, led by Damon Baird and Augustus “The Cole Train” Cole, as they fight to save the city of Halvo Bay from an unstoppable enemy in the most intense “Gears” game yet. “Gears of War: Judgment” introduces a variety of new multiplayer experiences, including OverRun, a thrilling new class-based competitive mode that will pit Locust and COG soldiers in a head-to-head battle unlike anything “Gears” fans have experienced yet. “Gears of War: Judgment” will launch worldwide in early 2013.

• “Halo 4” (343 Industries, Microsoft Studios). “Halo 4” marks the return of Master Chief and the beginning of a new saga in the blockbuster franchise that has shaped entertainment history. E3 2012 marks the worldwide premiere of “Halo Infinity Multiplayer,” including the all-new, story-driven experience known as Spartan Ops. A first of its kind, Spartan Ops is an episodic adventure — playable in single-player or cooperatively with up to four players — that blends immersive storytelling, high-quality cinematics and action-packed gameplay to deliver an unprecedented serialized experience. Spartan Ops will extend the “Halo 4” experience well beyond the game’s launch. “Halo 4” hits store shelves on Nov. 6, 2012, delivering its most epic and explorative campaign yet, together with groundbreaking multiplayer action.

• “Happy Wars” (Toylogic Inc., Microsoft Studios). “Happy Wars” is a multiplayer action game that pits different comic-style characters against each other in over-the-top combat arenas. You can control any of three types of characters — warrior, mage or cleric — in a variety of fantasy battlefields including grasslands, a dark world and the ocean floor. Join with friends to enjoy action on a grand scale, casting magic spells and attacking castles as you cooperate to overcome enemies.

• “Joe Danger: The Movie” (Hello Games, Microsoft Studios). On the set of the greatest blockbuster “Movie” ever made, create your own action film scene by scene, performing every stunt yourself. Using dozens of stunt vehicles and spanning every action film genre imaginable, perfect every stunt to thrill the audience or crack the audience up with your failed attempts. Strap on the helmet of Joe Danger and defy death to impress the director.

• “Lococycle” (Twisted Pixel Games, Microsoft Studios). Presenting I.R.I.S.: Two-time Valedictorian of the illustrious Big Arms Academy’s School of Assassination. I.R.I.S. is proficient in more than 40 forms of unarmed combat, earning Sensei status in Jiu-jitsu, Aikido, Krav Maga and Jeet Kune Do. She is equally deadly with blades, handguns and the latest in nuclear technology. Fluent in more than 50 languages and virtually every local custom, I.R.I.S. can blend in and disappear at a moment’s notice in any country around the world. She was the first female cadet to break the four- minute mile — by three minutes and forty seconds. All this won’t even run down her batteries. Twisted Pixel Games proudly presents “Lococycle.” Today’s criminal requires tomorrow’s hero.

• “Madden NFL 2013.” “Madden NFL 2013” is all-new, from boot-up to credits. Every mode, every screen, every pixel has been reinvented delivering the most innovative, connected and authentic “Madden NFL 2013” experience in franchise history.

• “Mark of the Ninja” (Klei Entertainment, Microsoft Studios). “Mark of the Ninja” is a side-scrolling stealth action game from Klei Entertainment that combines fluid 2-D animation with intense stealth gameplay. Observe your enemies from afar, manipulate them with your tools and execute your plan with precision. But be careful — you’re as fragile as you are powerful.

• “Matter” (blindwink, Microsoft Studios). Experience a hero’s journey across a mysterious and visually stunning world. “Matter” brings the unique vision of Academy Award-winning director Gore Verbinski exclusively to Xbox 360 and Kinect.

• “Resident Evil® 6.” “Resident Evil® 6” features three distinct, yet interwoven, storylines, each with its own pair of protagonists for either solo or co-op play, both offline and online. Leon S. Kennedy is paired with government agent Helena Harper, while Chris Redfield teams up with fellow BSAA member Piers Nivans. Finally, gun- for-hire and son of the infamous Albert Wesker, Jake Muller is joined by series returner Sherry Birkin. All six must face new horrors as they fight to survive the global C-virus outbreak. Blending both action and survival horror, “Resident Evil® 6” promises to be the dramatic horror experience of 2012.

• “South Park: The Stick of Truth.” Written and voiced by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, “The Stick of Truth” is the most epic South Park experience to date. Earn your place alongside Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman and aid them in a hysterical adventure to save South Park as only fourth-graders can. Recruit classic South Park characters to your cause, such as Professor Chaos or Jesus, armed with a machine gun. Arm yourself to the teeth with an arsenal of magical weapons and mystical armor to defeat crab people, underpants gnomes, hippies and other forces of evil. Succeed, and you shall be South Park’s savior, cementing your social status in South Park Elementary. Fail, and you will forever be known … as a loser.

• “Tomb Raider.” Armed with only the raw instincts and physical ability to push beyond the limits of human endurance, “Tomb Raider” delivers an intense and gritty story into the origins of Lara Croft and her ascent from a frightened young woman to a hardened survivor.

• “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell®: Blacklist™.” The United States has a military presence in two thirds of countries around the world. A group of 12 have had enough and initiate a terror ultimatum called the Blacklist — a deadly countdown of escalating terrorist attacks on U.S. interests. Sam Fisher is the leader of the newly formed 4th Echelon unit: a clandestine unit that answers solely to the President of the United States. Sam and his team must hunt down these terrorists by any means necessary, and stop the Blacklist countdown before it reaches zero.

• “Wreckateer” (Iron Galaxy, Microsoft Studios). “Wreckateer” uses Kinect to put you in control of a massive castle-wrecking ballista. With the help of Wreck and Tinker, travel the land and destroy 60 goblin-infested castles using six magical projectiles. Aim and fire each shot and then control it in mid-air, motion-activating special powers and guiding them toward their target. Utilize an arsenal of Flying, Explosive, Splitting and rocketing Speed shots to explore the infinite ways you can wreak havoc with “Wreckateer”’s fully dynamic destruction.

About Xbox

Xbox is Microsoft’s premier entertainment service for the TV, phone, PC and tablet. It’s home to the best and broadest games, as well as one of the world’s largest libraries of music, movies, TV and sports. With Kinect, Xbox 360 transformed gaming and entertainment in the living room with a whole new way to play games and find entertainment — no controller required. More information about Xbox can be found online at http://www.xbox.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

For E3 assets, please visit: http://press.xbox360.com/E32012

Note to editors : For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

LOS ANGELES — June 4, 2012 — At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) today, Microsoft Corp. and NIKE Inc. ushered in a new era of home fitness, unveiling “Nike+ Kinect Training” only on Kinect for Xbox 360. Featuring Nike trainers who work with some of the company’s top athletes, “Nike+ Kinect Training” is a custom training program rooted in elite Nike fitness and specifically designed to help athletes of all levels reach their potential in the comfort of their own homes.

Whatever your fitness goal, "Nike+ Kinect Training" will give you the tools to get you there. Through the magic of Kinect, the personal trainers within the experience can see how your body moves, assess your physical strengths and athleticism, identify areas for improvement, and create a personalized workout plan to help you achieve your personal best. With real-time feedback to make sure positions and movements are correct, the “Nike+ Kinect Training” custom program evolves as you do, helping you get fitter, faster and stronger.

“By combining Nike’s understanding and knowledge of great athletes with the powerful technology of Kinect, we have created a personal training program unlike anything currently available,” said Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of Marketing and Strategy of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “Kinect becomes the eyes for ‘Nike+ Kinect Training’ instructors, bringing a new level of engagement and personalization to the program that blurs the lines between a personal training session and a game.”

Nike is the leader in sports innovation and has developed new ways to inspire athletes at every level with digital services such as Nike+ and the Nike+ FuelBand. With “Nike+ Kinect Training,” Nike training can be personalized for anyone — from a professional athlete to an everyday athlete or even for someone who is just getting started.

“‘Nike+ Kinect Training’ gives everyone access to the same training that we give our professional athletes. It merges our understanding of the greatest athletes in the world with the amazing sensor technology of Kinect for Xbox 360,” said Stefan Olander, vice president of Digital Sport at Nike. “‘Nike+ Kinect Training’ will make working out at home fun and inspiring, and with its seamless connection to two huge global communities in Xbox LIVE and Nike+, you’ll always find more motivation in someone to train with or challenge.”

Take your training experience further by competing in challenges, sending encouragement to friends, and staying connected with a mobile app that keeps you motivated and on track for your next workout.* “Nike+ Kinect Training” will be available exclusively on Kinect for Xbox 360 during the holiday 2012 season.

About NIKE, Inc.

NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned NIKE subsidiaries include Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Umbro International Limited, which designs, distributes and licenses athletic and casual footwear, apparel and equipment, primarily for global football (soccer). For more information, visit www.nikeinc.com or follow @Nike.

About Xbox

Xbox is Microsoft’s premier entertainment service for the TV, phone, PC and tablet. It’s home to the best and broadest games, as well as one of the world’s largest libraries of music, movies, TV and sports. With Kinect, Xbox 360 transformed gaming and entertainment in the living room with a whole new way to play games and find entertainment — no controller required. More information about Xbox can be found online at http://www.xbox.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

* Online multiplayer requires Xbox LIVE Gold membership (sold separately). Mobile companion app requires compatible mobile device and Nike+ account; carrier fees apply.

For E3 assets, please visit http://press.xbox360.com/E32012 .

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

The PostgreSQL Global Development Group today released security updates for all active branches of the PostgreSQL database system, including versions 9.1.4, 9.0.8, 8.4.12 and 8.3.19.

Users of the crypt(text, text) function with DES encryption in the optional pgcrypto module should upgrade their installations immediately. All other database administrators are urged to upgrade your version of PostgreSQL at the next scheduled downtime. More details on the security fixes are included below.

This release contains 42 fixes to version 9.1, and a smaller number of fixes to older versions, including:

• Fix citext upgrade script for collations of citext arrays and domains over citext
• Fixes for timezone handling
• Fix text or char to name casts to perform string truncation correctly in multibyte encodings
• Fix memory copying bug in to_tsquery()
• Ensure txid_current() reports the correct epoch when executed in hot standby
• Fix planner’s handling of sub-SELECTS referencing variables coming from the nullable side of an outer join of the surrounding query
• Fix planning of UNION ALL subqueries with output columns that are not simple variables
• Fix slow session startup when pg_attribute is very large
• Ensure sequential scans check for query cancel reasonably often
• Show whole-row variables safely when printing views or rules
• Fix COPY FROM to properly handle null marker strings that correspond to invalid encoding
• Fix EXPLAIN VERBOSE for writable CTEs containing RETURNING clauses
• Fix PREPARE TRANSACTION to work correctly in the presence of advisory locks
• Fix bugs with temporary or transient tables used in extension scripts
• Ensure autovacuum worker processes perform stack depth checking properly
• Fix logging collector to not lose log coherency under high load
• Fix logging collector to ensure it will restart file rotation after receiving SIGHUP
• Fix WAL replay logic for GIN indexes to not fail if the index was subsequently dropped
• Avoid synchronous replication delay when committing a transaction that only modified temporary tables

As with other minor releases, users are not required to dump and reload their database or use pg_upgrade in order to apply this update release; you may simply shut down PostgreSQL and update its binaries. Perform post-update steps after the database is restarted. If you use the citext data type, and you upgraded from a previous major release by running pg_upgrade, please see the release notes for 9.1.4 for important post-upgrade steps.

This update includes two security fixes for the following issues:

• CVE-2012-2143: Fix incorrect password transformation in contrib/pgcrypto’s DES crypt() function

This vulnerability affects PostgreSQL users who use the crypt(text, text) function (in the optional pgcrypto module) with DES encryption and non-ASCII passwords. Passwords affected are those that contain the byte value 0x80. Characters after such a byte were ignored, making the effective password shorter and easier to crack than it should be. After the upgrade, any passwords containing such bytes will need to be regenerated.

• CVE-2012-2655: Ignore SECURITY DEFINER and SET attributes for a procedural language’s call handler

Applying such attributes to a call handler could crash the server.

All supported versions of PostgreSQL are affected. See the release notes for each version for a full list of changes with details of the fixes and steps.

Download new versions now at the main download page.

REDMOND , W ash. — June 1, 2012 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of the Windows Upgrade Offer for consumers purchasing a qualifying new Windows 7 PC. The Windows Upgrade Offer provides consumers who buy an eligible Windows 7 PC the option to purchase a downloadable upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for an estimated retail price of just $14.99 (U.S.) during the time of the promotion, which will be redeemable when Windows 8 is generally available. The Windows Upgrade Offer is just the first of many consumer offers that will roll out in conjunction with the general availability of Windows 8.

“We’ve seen a great interest in Windows 8, especially given the availability of the Windows 8 Release Preview this week, and yet we know many consumers want a new PC now,” said Tami Reller, chief marketing officer and chief financial officer of Windows at Microsoft. “The Windows Upgrade Offer gives people the flexibility to purchase the new Windows 7 PC they need today, with the knowledge they can easily get Windows 8 when it’s available.”

This program begins tomorrow in 131 markets including the U.S. and Canada and is available for consumers buying new Windows 7 PCs that are preinstalled with Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate and include a matching and valid OEM Certificate of Authenticity. The Windows 7 PC must be purchased new during the eligibility period June 2, 2012–Jan. 31, 2013, and redeemed before the program expiration at the end of February 2013. Consumers who register for the Windows Upgrade Offer will be able to download Windows 8 starting the day it is made available generally. The upgrade can be installed on any eligible and compatible Windows PC and comes with 90 days of support from Microsoft.

More information on taking advantage of the Windows Upgrade Offer can be found by visiting http://www.windowsupgradeoffer.com. More information about Windows 8 is available at http://windowsteamblog.com.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Some information relates to a prerelease product, which may be substantially modified before it is commercially released. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the information provided here.

Note to editors : For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

REDMOND, Wash. — June 1, 2012 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of the Windows Upgrade Offer providing consumers who buy qualifying Windows 7 PCs the option to purchase a downloadable upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for an estimated retail price of $14.99 (U.S.) during the time of the promotion.

Beginning June 2, 2012, consumers who purchase up to five new Windows 7 PCs preinstalled with Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate will be eligible to purchase an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro upon general availability of Windows 8. Qualifying purchases must be made before January 31, 2013, and offers must be redeemed by February 28, 2013.

For additional details on the Windows Upgrade Offer, please see the company’s announcement at http://www.windowsupgradeoffer.com.

Unlike previous upgrade programs, Microsoft will manage the redemption process, including eligibility verification, payment, software delivery, and support. Delivery of Windows 8 Pro will occur via electronic software distribution.

In association with the Windows Upgrade Offer, Microsoft will defer revenue from eligible sales under the program to the earlier of the fulfillment date or the program’s expiration date. For the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012, Microsoft will defer an estimated $450 million to $550 million of revenue. The deferral only impacts the timing of revenue recognition and will not impact cash flows from operations.

Microsoft Investor Relations will host a conference call and webcast at 9:00 a.m. PDT today to discuss details of the accounting treatment for the program. The conference call will be hosted by Frank Brod, chief accounting officer, and Bill Koefoed, general manager of Investor Relations, and will be made available on the Microsoft Investor Relations website.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this release that are “forward-looking statements” are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors such as:

• execution and competitive risks in transitioning to cloud-based computing;

• challenges to Microsoft’s business model;

• intense competition in all of Microsoft’s markets;

• Microsoft’s continued ability to protect its intellectual property rights;

• claims that Microsoft has infringed the intellectual property rights of others;

• the possibility of unauthorized disclosure of significant portions of Microsoft’s source code;

• actual or perceived security vulnerabilities in Microsoft products that could reduce revenue or lead to liability;

• improper disclosure of personal data that could result in liability and harm to Microsoft’s reputation;

• outages and disruptions of services provided to customers directly or through third parties if Microsoft fails to maintain an adequate operations infrastructure;

• government litigation and regulation affecting how Microsoft designs and markets its products;

• Microsoft’s ability to attract and retain talented employees;

• delays in product development and related product release schedules;

• significant business investments that may not gain customer acceptance and produce offsetting increases in revenue;

• unfavorable changes in general economic conditions, disruption of our partner networks or sales channels, or the availability of credit that affect demand for Microsoft’s products and services or the value of our investment portfolio;

• adverse results in legal disputes;

• unanticipated tax liabilities;

• quality or supply problems in Microsoft’s consumer hardware or other vertically integrated hardware and software products;

• impairment of goodwill or amortizable intangible assets causing a charge to earnings;

• exposure to increased economic and regulatory uncertainties from operating a global business;

• geopolitical conditions, natural disaster, cyberattack or other catastrophic events disrupting Microsoft’s business; and

• acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances that adversely affect the business.

For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Microsoft’s business, please refer to the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections of Microsoft’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by contacting Microsoft’s Investor Relations department at (800) 285-7772 or at Microsoft’s Investor Relations website at http://www.microsoft.com/investor/.

All information in this release is as of June 1, 2012. The company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the company’s expectations.

For more information, press only:

Rapid Response Team, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, (503) 443-7070, rrt@waggeneredstrom.com

For more information, financial analysts and investors only:

Bill Koefoed, general manager, Investor Relations, (425) 706-4400

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news/. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. Shareholder and financial information, as well as today’s 9:00 a.m. PDT conference call with investors and analysts, is available at http://www.microsoft.com/investor/.