X0306 4 2012-10-22 0000789019 MICROSOFT CORP MSFT 0000902012 GATES WILLIAM H III ONE MICROSOFT WAY REDMOND WA 98052 1 Common Stock 2012-10-22 4 S 0 4500000.0000 28.0169 D 456484209.0000 D The sales reported in this filing were made pursuant to the 10b5-1 sales plan of the reporting person. This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $27.83 to $28.81. The price set forth above reflects the weighted-average price per share. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the issuer or a security holder of the issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transactions were effected. In addition, there are 424,816 shares owned by the spouse of the reporting person. The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that the reporting person is the beneficial owner of the securities for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purposes. /s/ Alan Heuberger, Attorney-in-fact for William H. Gates III 2012-10-24