Quest Group Policy Manager 2.0 Enhanced to Offer Templates and GPO Test Framework; At the Same Time, Quest Introduces Group Policy Extensions for Desktops.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- At Microsoft TechED 2005, Quest Software Inc. (Nasdaq:QSFT), a leading provider of application, database and Microsoft Windows management solutions, today unveiled two ways for Windows administrators to extend the power of Group Policy for better security and more control of their IT infrastructure. First, Quest announced the general availability of its newest version of Quest Group Policy Manager. Version 2.0 offers time-saving GPO templates and support for disconnected test environments. Quest also introduced Quest Group Policy Extensions for Desktops, which allows desktop administrators to remotely manage Microsoft Outlook and user profiles, local security group membership, configuration settings, network connections and scheduled tasks.

Quest Group Policy Manager provides comprehensive GPO management, combining the features of version control, offline GPO editing, enhanced RSoP reporting, archival and restoration, change notification and approval, and quick rollback.

New features in Group Policy Manager 2.0 include:

--Templates - maintains common GPO settings in a single place and applies one or more of these templates to new or existing GPOs.

--Test Framework - allows GPOs to be exported to a connected or disconnected test environment, where changes can be validated before being implemented in production.

--GPO Status - flags GPOs that were deleted outside the version control system, with the ability to quickly restore GPOs that were accidentally or maliciously removed.

"Group Policy has become a critical tool for managing the configuration and security of a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 environment," commented Darren Mar-Elia, chief technology officer, Windows Management solutions at Quest Software and a Microsoft Windows Server Group Policy Most Valuable Professional (MVP). "Version 2.0 of Group Policy Manager allows customers to manage the full lifecycle of their Group Policy infrastructure, from analysis, to change, to testing, to production. The new features in this version make it the most complete Group Policy management solution on the market."

Group Policy Extensions for Desktops version 1.1 is the first product to support roaming users by letting administrators trigger Group Policy refresh upon system wakeup or change in network connection, whether or not the system has been restarted. Other highlights of the product include: integration with Microsoft Group Policy Management Console (GPMC), INI file support and detailed reports on Group Policy Extensions available via a Group Policy Object Editor snap-in.

"Both of these Quest products augment the Microsoft GPMC, an essential management element of the Windows Server 2003 environment. Quest extends GPMC to provide organizations with more flexible and granular control of their IT environment," said Michael Dennis, lead program manager - Group Policy, Microsoft Corp. "Quest continues to bring value to the Windows Server 2003 platform with its management software, and now, they are helping administrators make the most of Group Policy to better manage users, resources and desktops."

Pricing and Availability

North American pricing for Quest Group Policy Manager begins at $8 U.S. per enabled Microsoft Active Directory user account. North American pricing for Quest Group Policy Extensions for Desktops begins at $6.50 per managed device. To download the software, and for more information about Quest's solutions for Microsoft Active Directory management, visit http://wm.quest.com/products/ActiveDirectory and http://wm.quest.com/products/grouppolicyextensions.

About Quest Windows Management

Quest Software, Microsoft's 2004 Global Independent Software Vendor Partner of the Year, provides solutions that simplify, automate and secure Microsoft Active Directory, Exchange Server 2003 and Windows Server environments. Quest's Windows Management products deliver comprehensive capabilities for secure Windows management and migration. For more information on Quest Software's Windows Management group, please visit www.quest.com/microsoft.

About Quest Software Inc.

Quest Software Inc. delivers innovative products that help organizations get more performance and productivity from their applications, databases and infrastructure. Through a deep expertise in IT operations and a continued focus on what works best, Quest helps more than 18,000 customers worldwide meet higher expectations for enterprise IT. Quest Software, with headquarters in Irvine, Calif., can be found in offices around the globe and at www.quest.com.

Quest and Quest Software are registered trademarks of Quest Software Inc. The Quest Software logo and all other Quest Software product or service names and slogans are registered trademarks or trademarks of Quest Software Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements 

This release may include predictions, estimates and other information that might be considered forward-looking statements, including statements concerning the availability and market acceptance of Quest Group Policy Manager and Quest Group Policy Extensions for Desktops. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ from those anticipated as a result of various factors, including the impact of economic conditions on our customers, variations in the size and timing of customer orders; competitive products and pricing; rapid technological change; risks associated with the development and market acceptance of new products; disruptions caused by acquisitions of companies and/or technologies including risks relating to integration of the combined companies; risks associated with international operations; and the need to attract and retain qualified personnel. For a discussion of these and other related risks, please refer to our recent SEC filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2004, and the Current Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date thereof.