Hot Microsoft Will Boost Work Force 40% Next Year

REDMOND, Wash. — Microsoft Corp., whose Windows 3.0 software has been a smash hit, will increase its work force by about 40% in the next year--from 5,635 to 8,000--and make a major push into office networking software.

But company executives told financial analysts Thursday that heavy spending in the coming year will make it difficult to maintain the hectic growth the company has enjoyed.

Founder and Chairman Bill Gates said the new version of Windows “is the center of the universe for us now.” The software, which provides an easy-to-use framework for running spreadsheets, word processors and other programs, will be further improved this year, he said.

Microsoft, the world’s largest publisher of personal computer software, reported Wednesday that its profit for the fiscal year ended June 30 was up 64% and that its revenue was up 47%.

“We’re extremely bullish on the markets we participate in from a long-term standpoint,” said Microsoft President Mike Hallman. But he said new projects will require heavy investments this year.