New Delhi, Feb 17 :     Bill Gates has gone ahead and launched yet another Windows version-the millennium 2000 version that is-and anti-trust cases be damned. The Windows 2000 software bundles up as a desk top package by itself and also provides the option of combining NT workstations or servers. The new version of Windows is a family of products that succeeds the Windows NT version 4.0 and is primarily aimed at corporate users. Large computers need the upgrade for complex tasks to run web sites and databases or run e-commerce and internet-based applications. The company will launch a Windows millennium edition targeted for home machines later this year. However, with the problems faced by earlier versions like Windows-98 and with the likes of Novell and Linux waiting on the sidelines to grab a bigger slice of the market, Gates' men face an uphill task. This time round unless buyers find the new Windows software hot enough, Microsoft may have a real battle on its hands. Microsoft's Windows 2000 was launched today in India, ahead of the US launch due to the difference in time zones. The product will be showcased in Bangalore and will hit the retail stores on Friday. The product is priced at Rs 40,000 for first time purchasers, while those who wish to upgrade from the existing Windows NT would have to pay about Rs 10,000. The new Windows 2000 operating system has all the features currently available in Win-98 and Networking Operating System (NOS) and internet services. However, the baby is already facing teething problems. Some users of test versions of Windows 2000 have complained of certain defects when trying to work with the various components. But then Windows 2000, it is rumoured, could prove a challenge to even the most technology savvy. Company sources admitted that the latest edition of Windows was not exactly a user's dream. 'An internal memo had acknowledged that the software contained 63,000 possible defects. But this was at the time of developing it, now all of them have been removed,' they said. Worldwide, Microsoft's software and operating systems have a peculiar problem of locking up (commonly termed as 'hang,' when the software stops operating), which necessitates rebooting. In fact, Microsoft had a tough time convincing Win-95 users to upgrade to Win-98 and Win 2000 is likely to give similar problems to Microsoft, industry sources said. 'Windows 2000 is for business use and Windows millennium is for most home users. We are confident that there will be no problems with both new softwares. We have companies like NIIT, Compaq, Cisco systems Sap and ITIL Infosys as our partners who will vouch for the product,' said N.B Sundar, marketing manager Microsoft Corporation (India) Private Ltd. However sources in Compaq and NIIT said even the Windows millennium, dubbed 'Windows ME' is unlikely to be trouble-free. 'The product launched today is an extension of Windows NT and Windows 95, the existing software programmes and it had initial hiccups. All new softwares have some problems, the 'Windows ME' too has had some teething problems,' said a senior engineer in Compaq. Industry analysts say Windows 2000 will directly hit Novell software, as it will eliminate the need to buy Novell's server packages separately as a supplement to Windows.