It’s A Wrap: Microsoft Completes Windows 95 Software Giant Begins Mass Production Of Long-Awaited Computer Program
The Microsoft Corp. has finished writing Windows 95, a long-awaited update of the foundation program for most personal computers, and will begin mass production despite the prospect the government might seek a major change before it reaches the market.
After more than four years of development, the product on Friday afternoon reached the final stage known as “gold master.” From that, Microsoft will manufacture 1 million copies a week at 12 locations around the country to be ready for sales to begin on Aug. 24.
Versions will also be sent to personal computer manufacturers so they can test and install it on machines that will be available by that date.
Release of the master code began shortly after 1 p.m. PDT, and about 20,000 manufacturers, software developers and makers of hardware ranging from printers to CD-ROM drives will receive it over the next month, said Brad Chase, general manager for personal systems.
Several hundred programmers and marketers gathered under a canvas tent on the company’s campus in suburban Redmond to celebrate with Dom Perignon champagne and tandoori chicken.
“It’s been a very steady intensity trying to watch for any last problems that might come up,” programmer Joe Belfiore said, describing the push to finish. “Finally, here we are letting loose. It’s bedlam!”
Missing from the celebration was Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, but no one minded because “he’s made numerous appearances with the team,” Chase said.
The last fixes in Windows 95 were to assure that the new system would run programs designed for Windows 3.1, and less sophisticated versions, “the type of software that you use today,” he said.
Some programs based on MS-DOS, which preceded Windows, may even run better because of late changes which assured compatibility and freed memory so the older programs could run faster, Chase said.
The completion of development for a program is rarely news beyond a software company’s walls.
However, Windows 95 has been scrutinized publicly like no previous computer program chiefly because it succeeds a product used on more than 80 million PCs and also because it’s been delayed for more than a year.
In addition, the Justice Department is considering whether to take steps to prevent Microsoft from selling Windows 95 with a component that will access an on-line service the company plans to start.
In a court filing this week, government prosecutors outlined an antitrust theory but said they have not decided whether to file a case.
With each copy of Windows 95 that Microsoft produces, the company faces greater costs if the government does intervene.
The company has suggested a minimum retail price of $89.95 but some retailers are expected to drop below that or even sell the product at a loss to lure customers into their stores. An office chain that advertised in a national newspaper Friday offered a free computer keyboard with each copy of Windows 95.
Word that Windows 95 has gone into production may further excite Wall Street about the company. Microsoft’s share price has climbed from about $60 in March to more than $102 this week.