Microsoft is taking a new tack with its Windows XP Starter Edition campaign. Rather than introducing versions tailored very specifically to individual countries, Microsoft has introduced the first generalized versions for a specific region.

On Tuesday, Microsoft unveiled in Mexico City the newest member of its Starter Edition family: Windows XP Starter Edition in Spanish. The product is available immediately in Mexico and Argentina, according to Microsoft officials. And Microsoft is planning to roll it out across other Latin American countries "in the coming months," a Microsoft spokesman said.

The spokesman acknowledged that the Spanish edition marks the first time that Microsoft released a version of the Starter Edition product that was not tailored to users in a single country.

Prior to Tuesday's Spanish edition announcement, Microsoft has launched six locally-optimized versions of XP Starter Edition in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Russia, India and Brazil. All of the editions are currently shipping, except for the Russian one, which is still in pilot-test phase, Microsoft officials said.

XP Starter Edition releases are custom-developed versions of Windows XP that strip out some of Windows XP's features and functionality. Features cut from the various Starter Editions have included support for multiple user accounts; networked printers; the ability to personalize desktops with multiple looks and feels for different users; and support for screen resolutions above 800 X 600 pixels. Starter Edition also prevents users from launching more than three applications simultaneously.

XP Starter Edition releases include Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer, Windows Messenger instant messaging and many of the XP Service Pack 2 security enhancements, officials said. Microsoft also added a couple of features to XP Starter Edition that are not part of XP Home or XP Professional, he said, such as help videos and a tutorial on how to use a mouse.

Microsoft officials have made no bones about their quest to increase Windows sales by discovering untapped markets and creating new form factors. The Windows XP Reloaded marketing campaign, of which XP Starter Edition is one component, is part of this initiative.

The new Spanish Starter Edition was developed in conjunction with various OEM, software and other partners, Microsoft officials said. These partners include Intel, AMD, Dell, Telmex, local OEMs and sysem builders, Texa, Lanix, Hergo, Ingram Micro and CVA. Microsoft also is working with Infonavit, a state-owned mortgage agency providing subsidized loans to low- and mid-income citizens throughout Mexico, on the Spanish Starter Edition release.