below under “Issues and Uncertainties.” 

Revenue 

The Company’s revenue growth rate was 29% in fiscal 1999, 16% in fiscal 2000, and 10% in fiscal 2001. Revenue growth in fiscal 2001 was driven primarily by licensing of Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Microsoft SQL Server, and the other .NET Enterprise Servers. Consumer Software, Services, and Devices revenue also grew strongly. Partially offsetting those items was flat revenue growth from Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me) and Windows 98 operating systems, reflecting the slowdown in consumer PC shipments and a higher mix of Windows 2000 Professional and Windows NT Workstation. Revenue growth in fiscal 2000 was driven by strong licensing of Microsoft Windows NT Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows NT Server, Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Office 2000, and SQL Server. Consumer Software, Services, and Devices revenue also grew strongly. Partially offsetting those items was slower growth from Windows operating systems sold through the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) channel due to slow demand for business PCs throughout a significant portion of fiscal 2000. Revenue growth in fiscal 1999 reflected the continued adoption of Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office. In addition, the Company’s estimate for future product returns was reduced by $250 million in fiscal 1999. 

In fiscal 1999, Microsoft made two changes related to the ratable recognition of revenue for a portion of its revenue for certain products. American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Statement of Position (SOP) 98- 9, Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, With Respect to Certain Transactions, requires companies to use the average sales price of each undelivered element of software arrangements to unbundle revenue. Prior authoritative accounting guidance allowed a comparison of the total price differential between a licensed product sold through different channels of distribution to derive the value of undelivered elements offered to customers acquiring product from one channel but not the other. Upon adoption of this new rule in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999, the percentages of the total arrangement treated as unearned decreased. This change reduced the amount of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office sales treated as unearned and increased the amount of revenue recognized upon shipment. Additionally, as part of the Company’s long range planning process and a review of product shipment cycles, it was determined that the life cycle of Windows should be extended from two years to three years. 

Product Revenue 

Microsoft has four segments: Desktop and Enterprise Software and Services; Consumer Software, Services, and Devices; Consumer Commerce Investments; and Other. The Management Discussion and Analysis presentation of revenue differs from that reported under the Company’s Segment Information appearing in the Notes to Financial Statements because reconciling items are allocated to those segments. 

Desktop and Enterprise Software and Services 

Desktop and Enterprise Software and Services revenue was $17.84 billion, $20.40 billion, and $22.41 billion in