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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

             -------------------------------------------------------

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                   ON FORM S-3
                                      Under
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                           COMMISSION FILE NO. 0-14278


                              MICROSOFT CORPORATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         WASHINGTON                                      91-1144442
(State or other jurisdiction                             (IRS Employer
of incorporation or organization)                        Identification No.)

                                ONE MICROSOFT WAY
                         REDMOND, WASHINGTON 98052-6399
                                 (206) 882-8080
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   (Address, including zip code, and telephone
              number including area code, of registrant's principal
                                executive office)

                    ----------------------------------------
                                William H. Neukom
                                 Vice President,
                            Law and Corporate Affairs
                                One Microsoft Way
                         Redmond, Washington 98052-6399
                                 (206) 882-8080
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)

                    ----------------------------------------
                        Copies of all communications to:
                                 Mark R. Beatty
                            Christopher H. Cunningham
                              Preston Gates & Ellis
                              5000 Columbia Center
                                701 Fifth Avenue
                         Seattle, Washington 98104-7078

                    ----------------------------------------

================================================================================



   2


         Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: At
such time or times after the effective date of this Registration Statement as
the Selling Shareholder shall determine.

         If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box:
                                                  / /

         If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be
offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the
Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with
dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:

                                                  /X/

         The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date
or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration
statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 89(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said section 8(a),
may determine.

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE



 Title of each class                             Proposed maximum       Proposed maximum
 of securities to be        Amount to be        offering price per     aggregate offering         Amount of
      registered             registered               share*                 price*           registration fee
 -------------------        ------------        ------------------     ------------------     ----------------
                                                                                       
     Common stock           11,325 shares           $96.0625             $1,087,907.81             $375.14
      par value
       $.00005


         *Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) solely for purposes of calculating
amount of registration fee, based upon the average of the high and low prices
reported on September 13, 1995, as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

                 The Index to Exhibits is located at Page II-4.

                                      -ii-
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                              CROSS REFERENCE SHEET

                              MICROSOFT CORPORATION



     Item No.                             Item                                   Location in Prospectus
     --------                             ----                                   ----------------------
                                                                
        1           Forepart of the Registration Statement and        Facing page; cross-reference sheet; cover
                    Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus            page of Prospectus

        2           Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of      Available Information; Incorporation of
                    Prospectus                                        Certain Documents by Reference

        3           Summary Information, Risk Factors and Ratio of    Cover Page of Prospectus
                    Earnings to Fixed Charges

        4           Use of Proceeds                                   Not Applicable

        5           Determination of Offering Price                   Not Applicable

        6           Dilution                                          Not Applicable

        7           Selling Security Holders                          Selling Security Holders

        8           Plan of Distribution                              Not Applicable

        9           Description of Securities to be Registered        Incorporation of Certain Documents by
                                                                      Reference

        10          Interest of Named Experts and Counsel             Experts

        11          Material Changes                                  Not Applicable

        12          Incorporation of Certain Information by           Incorporation of Certain Information by
                    Reference                                         Reference

        13          Disclosure of Commission Position on              Disclosure Of Commission Position On
                    Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities    Indemnification For Securities Act
                                                                      Liabilities

                    Exhibit Index                                     Page II-4


                                     -iii-
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                                   PROSPECTUS

                              MICROSOFT CORPORATION
                          11,325 Shares of Common Stock
                         Par Value of $.00005 Per Share

                    ----------------------------------------

         This Prospectus relates to up to 11,325 shares of common stock (the
"Shares") of Microsoft Corporation (the "Company") which may be offered from
time to time by the selling security holders named herein (the "Selling Security
Holders"). The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the
Shares. The Company will bear the costs relating to the registration of the
Shares estimated to be approximately $6,000.

         The Shares are registered as a result of a merger (the "Merger") of
Microsoft Corporation, a Washington corporation ("Microsoft") and 3G Graphics,
Inc., a Washington corporation ("3G"). In an agreement related to the Merger,
each Selling Security Holder entered into an investment agreement with Microsoft
(the "Agreement"). The Agreement limits the amount of shares the Selling
Security Holder may sell during the first eighteen months after the Merger is
consummated.

         The Company has been advised by each Selling Security Holder that,
subject to the terms of the Investment Agreement, he or she expects to offer his
or her shares through brokers and dealers to be selected by him or her from time
to time. The Shares may be offered for sale through the Nasdaq Stock Market, in 
the over-the-counter market, in one or more private transactions, or a 
combination of such methods of sale, at prices and on terms then prevailing, 
at prices related to such prices, or at negotiated prices. Subject to the 
terms of the Investment Agreement, each Selling Security Holder may pledge all 
or a portion of the Shares owned by him or her as collateral in loan 
transactions. Upon default by such a Selling Security Holder the pledgee in 
such loan transaction would have the same rights of sale as the Selling 
Security Holder under this Prospectus. Subject to the terms of the Investment 
Agreement, each Selling Security Holder may also transfer Shares owned by him 
by gift and upon any such transfer the donee would have the same rights of 
sale as such Selling Security Holder under this Prospectus. Each Selling 
Security Holder and any brokers and dealers through whom sales of the Shares 
are made may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the commissions or discounts and other 
compensation paid to such persons may be regarded as underwriters' compensation.

         The Shares are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The average of the
high and low prices of the Shares as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market on
September 13, 1995 was $96.0625 per share.


  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
      ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                                CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                    ----------------------------------------

               The date of this Prospectus is September 18, 1995.

         All of the securities to be registered hereby are to be offered for the
account of security holders.


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                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

         The Company is subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and files reports and other information with the Securities
and Exchange Commission in accordance therewith. Such reports, proxy statements,
and other information filed by the Company are available for inspection and
copying at the public reference facilities of the Commission at Room 1024, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the
Commission's Regional Offices located at Room 1028, Jacob K. Javits Federal
Building, 26 Federal Plaza, New York, New York 10278 and Room 3190, Kluczynski
Federal Building, 230 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60604. Copies of
such material may be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at 450 Fifth St., N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549, at
prescribed rates.

                    ----------------------------------------


                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

         The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:

         1.  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
June 30, 1994.

         2.  The Company's Proxy Statement dated September 27, 1994.

         3.  The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 1994.

         4.  The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
December 31, 1994.

         5.  The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 1995.

         6.  The description of the Common Stock of the Company which is
contained in the registration statement of the Company filed on form S-4, 
dated February 17, 1995.  

         All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and
prior to the termination of the offering of the Shares offered hereby shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part
hereof.

         The Company hereby undertakes to provide without charge to each person
to whom this Prospectus has been delivered, upon the written or oral request of
any such person, a copy of any and all of the foregoing documents incorporated
herein by reference (other than exhibits to such documents which are not
specifically incorporated by reference into the information that this Prospectus
incorporates). Written or telephone requests should be directed to Microsoft
Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Washington 98052-6399, telephone 
number (206) 882-8080, Attention David Corning.

         No dealer, salesman, or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to make any representation not contained in this Prospectus,
and, if given or made, such information and representation must not be relied
upon as having been authorized by the Company. This Prospectus does not
constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the
securities offered hereby in any state to any person to whom it is unlawful to
make such offer in such state. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any
sales made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that
there has been no change in the affairs of the Company since the date hereof.


                                      -2-
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                    ----------------------------------------

         This Prospectus constitutes a part of a Registration Statement which
the Company has filed with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "1933 Act"), with respect to the Shares. This Prospectus omits
certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement, and
reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and related Exhibits
thereto for further information with respect to the Company and the securities
offered hereby. Such additional information can be obtained from the
Commission's office in Washington, D.C. Any statements contained herein
concerning the provisions of any documents are not necessarily complete, and, in
each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission.
Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.

                                   THE COMPANY

         Microsoft Corporation, a Washington corporation, has its principal
executive offices at One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Washington 98052-6399,
telephone number (206) 882-8080. Microsoft was founded as a partnership in 1975
and was incorporated in 1981. The Company, develops, manufactures, licenses,
sells, and supports a wide range of software products, including operating
system platforms for personal computers (PCs), workstations, and servers;
business and consumer applications for productivity, reference, education, and
entertainment; and development tools. Microsoft also sells personal computer
books and input devices, and is engaged in the research and development of
online and advanced technology software products. The Company's products are
available for 16-bit and 32-bit microcomputers, including AST Research, Acer,
Apple, Digital Equipment Corporation, Dell, Compaq, Gateway 2000,
Hewlett-Packard, International Business Machines (IBM), NEC, Olivetti, Packard
Bell, and Toshiba. Microsoft develops most of its software products internally
using proprietary development tools and methodology. The Company markets and
distributes its products domestically and internationally through the original
equipment manufacturer ("OEM") channel and through the finished goods channels
primarily by means of independent distributors and resellers.

                            SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS

         The 11,325 Common Shares of the Company described in this Prospectus
are owned by the individuals listed below. All of the shares offered hereby were
acquired by the listed individuals in connection with the Microsoft acquisition
of 3G. Gail L. Giaimo has entered into a Temporary Employment Agreement with
Microsoft dated as of July 31, 1995, but the Selling Security Holders do not
have any other material relationship with the Company.



                                          No. of Shares
             Name of                       Owned Prior              Received from                 Shares
   Selling Security Holders (1)           Offering (2)                 Company                    Owned
   ----------------------------           -------------             -------------                 ------
                                                                                       
Glenn P. and Gail L. Giaimo                        0                     10,759                   10,759

Ann S. Woodliff                                    0                        566                      566
                                           ---------                  ---------                 --------

Total                                              0                     11,325                   11,325


         (1) None of the Selling Security Holders held any office with the
Company during the last three years.

         (2) All amounts are less than 1% of the issued and outstanding shares
of common stock of the Company.


                                      -3-
   7


                                     EXPERTS

         The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of June 30,
1994, and 1993 and for each of the three years in the period ended June 30,
1994, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus from the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
public accountants, as stated in their report which is incorporated herein by
reference, and has been so incorporated in reliance upon such report given upon
the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.



              DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION
                         FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES

         Article XII of the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation
authorizes the Company to indemnify any present or former director, officer,
employee, or agent of the Company, or a person serving in a similar post in
another organization at the request of the Company, against expenses, judgments,
fines, and amounts paid in settlement incurred by him in connection with any
threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative, or investigative, to the fullest extent not prohibited
by the Washington Business Corporation Act, public policy or other applicable
law. Chapter 23B.08.510 and .570 of the Washington Business Corporation Act
authorizes a corporation to indemnify its directors, officers, employees, or
agents in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain
circumstances for liabilities (including provisions permitting advances for
expenses incurred) arising under the 1933 Act.

         Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act
may be permitted to directors, officers, or persons controlling the registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in
the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is therefore
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.


                                      -4-
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                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

         The expenses relating to the registration of Shares will be borne by
the registrant. Such expenses are estimated to be as follows:


                                                             
       Registration Fee--                                       $  375.14
       Securities and Exchange Commission
       Accountant's Fees                                         1,000.00
       Legal Fees                                                4,000.00
       Miscellaneous                                               500.00
                                                                ---------
                Total                                           $5,875.14
                                                                =========


Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers 

         Article XII of the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company
authorizes the Company to indemnify any present or former director or officer to
the fullest extent not prohibited by the Washington Business Corporation Act,
public policy or other applicable law. Chapter 23B.8.510 and .570 of the
Washington Business Corporation Act authorizes a corporation to indemnify its
directors, officers, employees, or agents in terms sufficiently broad to permit
such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including
provisions permitting advances for expenses incurred) arising under the 1933
Act.

         The directors and officers of the Company are entitled to
indemnification by the Selling Security Holders against any cause of action,
loss, claim, damage, or liability to the extent it arises out of or is based
upon the failure of the Selling Security Holder (or his donees, legatees, or
pledgees) and each underwriter to comply with the Prospectus delivery
requirements under the federal securities laws or any applicable state
securities laws or upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission made in this Registration Statement and the
Prospectus contained herein, as the same shall be amended or supplemented, made
in reliance upon or in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by such Selling Security Holder or such underwriter.

Item 16. List of Exhibits.

         The Exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the Index to
Exhibits on page II-4.

Item 17. Undertakings.

         The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

         (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

                  (i) To include any material information with respect to the
         plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
         statement or any material change to such information in the
         registration statement;


                                      II-1
   9

         (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

         (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.

         (4) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a)
or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference
in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.



                                      II-2
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                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Redmond, State of Washington on the 14 th day of
September, 1995.

                          MICROSOFT CORPORATION


                          By /s/ Michael W. Brown
                             ---------------------------------------------------
                          Its:  Vice President, Finance; Chief Financial Officer

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.



                                                                                                                
                                                                                       Dated:  September 12, 1995

/s/ Michael W. Brown
------------------------------------
Vice President, Finance; Chief 
Financial Officer (Principal Financial
and Accounting  Officer)


/s/ William H. Gates III                    Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,                  August 29, 1995
------------------------------------
William H. Gates III                        Director (Principal Executive Officer)


/s/ Paul G. Allen                           Director                                            August 28, 1995
------------------------------------
Paul G. Allen


/s/ Richard A. Hackborn                     Director                                            August 28, 1995
------------------------------------
Richard A. Hackborn


/s/ David F. Marquardt                      Director                                            August 30, 1995
------------------------------------
David F. Marquardt


/s/ Robert D. O'Brien                       Director                                            August 25, 1995
------------------------------------
Robert D. O'Brien


/s/ William G. Reed, Jr.                    Director                                            August 24, 1995
------------------------------------
William G. Reed, Jr.


/s/ Jon A. Shirley                          Director                                            August 25, 1995
------------------------------------
Jon A. Shirley


                                      II-3
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                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS



Exhibit No.                                          Description                                 Page or Footnote
-----------                                          -----------                                 ----------------
                                                                                                         
3.1                                 Restated Articles of Incorporation                                    (1)

3.2                                 Bylaws                                                                (1)

5                                   Opinion of Counsel re: legality

13                                  1994 Annual report to Shareholders                                    (1)

23.1                                Consent of Deloitte & Touche as Independent Accountants

23.2                                Consent of Preston Gates & Ellis                                      (2)


--------
(1) Incorporated by reference to Microsoft's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1994.

(2) Contained within Exhibit 5.

                                      II-4
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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS



                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                            
AVAILABLE INFORMATION........................................................................................     2
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE............................................................     2
THE COMPANY..................................................................................................     3
SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS.....................................................................................     3
EXPERTS......................................................................................................     4
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES..........................     4

PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS.......................................................................  II-1
SIGNATURES...................................................................................................  II-3

INDEX TO EXHIBITS............................................................................................  II-4




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