Microsoft (MSFT) 10-Q 2003 Q3 Quarterly report

Exhibit 99.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Microsoft Corporation, a Washington corporation (the “Company”), on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Steven A. Ballmer, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350), that to my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

/s/    Steven A. Ballmer

Steven A. Ballmer

Chief Executive Officer

May 12, 2003

[A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Microsoft Corporation and will be retained by Microsoft Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.]