BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Microsoft Corp. plans to offer a stripped-down version of Windows, Office and other software for 3 U.S. dollars to people in developing nations, media reported Friday.

    The program -- a major expansion of the Microsoft Windows XP Starter Edition program begun in 2004 -- would help close the digital divide in all parts of the globe, a Microsoft statement said.

    It will also expand Microsoft's global reach at a time when some governments in developing countries have encouraged Windows alternatives such as the free Linux operating system.

    The Microsoft Unlimited Potential program offers the deeply discounted software -- including Windows XP Starter Edition and Office Home and Office 2007 -- to governments purchasing bulk orders of computers that would then be distributed to students and other individuals.

    The stripped-down software is "tailored to the needs and wants of first-time PC users, optimized to run on low-cost hardware and localized for various geographies," Microsoft said in a statement.

    Windows XP Starter Edition, first released in Thailand in 2004, was later made available in 139 countries and 24 languages. Windows Vista Starter will be available in 139 countries and 59 languages.

    (Agencies)