As LinuxWorld Expo approaches, Microsoft will try to upstage gains made by its open source nemeses next week by launching Windows Services For Unix 3.5.

Windows Services for Unix 3.5, which is currently in beta testing and will be officially launched next week, is updated for the latest round of Windows offerings, Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP.

The upgrade also significantly improves the ability to recompile Unix and Linux applications to run on Windows, said one key Microsoft executive in charge of battling the Linux threat.

"It goes up into the 90 percent range," said Martin Taylor, general manager for Platform Strategies at Microsoft, about the recompiling improvements.

Taylor also noted the 3.5 edition adds a number of libraries and ASP.NET and CE.NET improvements that will enable easier corporation migrations from Unix to Windows, as well as interoperability of Windows in mixed environments.

SFU 3.5 will ship shortly after LinuxWorld Expo, Taylor added. The Linux show is being held in New York beginning Jan. 20.

SFU is viewed as a key tool in Microsoft's arsenal for gaining Unix converts and preventing more Linux server wins. Microsoft's last upgrade, SFU 3.0, shipped in May 2002.

It's not the only tool Microsoft will use at the show to convert potential and existing Linux backers. Taylor noted that Microsoft will also have a Human Resources booth set up at LinuxWorld Expo in an effort to attract new employees to the Windows world.