Overview

Through the Shared Source Initiative, Microsoft is sharing source code with customers, partners, developers, academics, and governments worldwide. The Shared Source Initiative encompasses a wide spectrum of technologies, programs, and licenses offered by Microsoft to various communities of customers, partners, developers, organizations, and other interested individuals.

The Shared Source Initiative fosters technical innovation and brings value to businesses and developers. Through the Shared Source Initiative, Microsoft advances several important objectives:

• Bolster the freedom and success of customers, partners, researchers, and developers by affording them expanded access to source code.
• Enable Windows users to ensure the integrity and security of their computing environments.
• Enrich the development community by providing the tools to produce outstanding software.
• Improve feedback processes that play a critical role in developing better Microsoft products for business and individual consumers of software.
• Enhance educational opportunities and to cultivate a vigorous software industry of the future by placing technology in the hands of universities throughout the world.
• Preserve the intellectual property rights that historically have fostered unparalleled innovation and growth in the global software industry.

An ever-growing, rich set of technologies is available under the Shared Source Initiative. Source code offerings range from Microsoft product such as Windows, Windows CE, and Office to developer tools such as WiX and WTL.

Questions regarding Shared Source Initiative should be directed to the Shared Source Initiative.