[Infowarrior] - Microsoft Acquires Winternals Software

[Richard Forno]

Microsoft Acquires Winternals Software
Company appoints operating systems kernel expert Mark Russinovich as
technical fellow.

REDMOND, Wash. ‹ July 18, 2006 ‹ Microsoft Corp. today announced the
acquisition of Winternals Software LP, a privately held company based in
Austin, Texas, that provides Windows®-based enterprises with systems
recovery and data protection solutions in addition to offering a freeware
tools Web site called Sysinternals. The addition of Winternals is a
significant advance in Microsoft¹s promise to lower customers¹ total cost of
ownership of the Microsoft® Windows platform. Customers will be able to
continue building on Sysinternals¹ advanced utilities, technical information
and source code for utilities related to Windows. Financial terms of the
acquisition were not disclosed.

Winternals was established in 1996 by Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell,
who are recognized industry leaders in the areas of operating system design
and architecture. Russinovich will join the Microsoft Platforms & Services
Division as a technical fellow, working with numerous technology teams
across Microsoft, and Cogswell will join the Windows Component Platform Team
in the role of software architect.

³I¹ve had my eye on Mark for some time,² said Jim Allchin, co-president of
the Platforms & Services Division at Microsoft. ³The work he and Bryce have
completed in system recovery and data protection illustrates the depth of
thinking and skill they will bring to future versions of Windows. The
addition of their deep kernel-level expertise to our existing strong talent
will help provide us with the edge we need to continue to raise the quality
and functionality bar for Windows on both the client and the server.²

³I witness regularly the profound impact that even a few lines of code can
have in a world of globally connected systems,² said Russinovich. ³The
technologies that sustain and enhance business, health, commerce and
entertainment are emerging from platforms that Microsoft creates. I look
forward to bringing my experience in designing operating system technologies
to Microsoft. I¹m excited to broaden the reach and impact on Windows and
Microsoft customers.²

Winternals products support IT professionals in numerous ways, providing
intelligent enterprise recovery solutions, network defragmentation solutions
and powerful system tools, all focused on reducing the total cost of
ownership for Microsoft-based businesses. Sysinternals enjoys a strong and
active community of systems administrators and support personnel, averaging
about a million visitors per month.

Microsoft is evaluating how the Winternals products and technologies can be
integrated within Microsoft offerings to maximize customer value.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq ³MSFT²) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
their full potential.

Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of
Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.

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