Windows 3.0

Windows 3.0

Windows 3.0 is a version ofMicrosoft Windows released on May 22, 1990. Like its predecessors, it is anoperating environment that runs on top ofMS-DOS.

History[]

Development[]

Work on what became Windows 3.0 began atMicrosoft in 1988 when David Weise and Murray Sargent independently decided to develop aprotected mode forWindows applications, to allow reliable multitasking. In previous versions ofWindows 2.xx for 386 processors, protected memory only supportedDOS applications. The team cobbled together a rough prototype that could run Windows versions ofWord,Excel, andPowerPoint simultaneously, then presented it to company executives, who were impressed enough to approve it as an official project.^[1]

Release history[]

Version Release Dates:

• Windows 3.00.55 (Windows 3.00 Beta): January 2, 1990 (leaked release)
• Windows 3.00: May 1, 1990 (compiled) / May 22, 1990 (first official release)
• Windows 3.00a: October 31, 1990 (bug fix release)
• Windows 3.00a with Multimedia Extensions 1.00: October 20, 1991 (release)
• Windows 3.01: 1992 (Korean release)
• Windows 3.02: November 1991 (Japanese release)

Succeeded byWindows 3.1 on April 6, 1992.
Officially supported by Microsoft until December 31, 2001.

New features[]

• Improved user interface
• Better memory management withIntel's80286 and80386 processors.
• Multiple DOS programmultitasking support.
• Revamped Control Panel
• Solitaire card game program added.
• ImprovedPaintbrush program.
• Improved Windows icons in EGA\VGA mode, support for 256 color VGA. (80286 processor or better required)
• (Multimedia Extensions 1.x release): included aCD-ROM drive andsound card support, such as theCreative LabsSound Blaster Pro.

System requirements[]

The official system requirements for Windows 3.0x:

• 8086/8088 processor or better
• 384K of free conventional memory (real mode, protected modes require more)
• Hard disk with 6-7MB of free space
• CGA/EGA/VGA/Hercules/8514/A graphics and an appropriate and compatible monitor
• Microsoft DOS version 3.1 or higher

Also, a Microsoft-compatible mouse is recommended.

Memory modes[]

Windows 3.0x was the only version of Windows that could be run in three different memory modes:

• Real mode: For older computers with a CPU belowIntel 80286. Allows the function ofWindows 2.x applications. Removed inWindows 3.1x. Limit of 4MB of EMS memory.
• Standard mode: For computers with a 80286 processor, and corresponding to itsprotected mode.
• 386 Enhanced mode: For computers with anIntel 80386 processor or above, and corresponding to its protected mode andvirtual 8086 mode. Has 32-bit addressing and paging for faster memory access, andvirtual 8086 mode for safer execution of MS-DOS programs, uses virtual 8086 mode to allow multiple DOS programs to run along with being windowed and allowing multitasking to continue. Virtual memory support allows the user to employ the hard disk as a temporary storage space if applications use more memory than exists in the system.

Gallery of screenshots[]

Windows 3.0 logo screen.

Windows 3.0 desktop screenshot.

Windows 3.0 Task Manager.

Windows 3.0 Program Manager.

Windows 3.0 Paintbrush program.

Windows 3.0 Help program.

Windows 3.0 Solitaire program.

Windows 3.0 File Manager.

Windows 3.0 MME logo screen.

Windows 3.0 MME screensaver.

Windows 3.0 MME multimedia programs.

Windows 3.0 MME Help program.

References[]

External links[]

• Windows Version History (1.x-3.11) at Microsoft (archived 2005-05-25)
  • Windows 3.0 Modes and Memory Requirements (archived 2009-01-12)
  • A history of Windows (1975-2015) (archived 2016-06-18)
  • Microsoft History: 1990,1991 at Microsoft Library (archived 1996-10-17)
• Windows 3.0 at GUIdebook
• Microsoft Windows 3.00 at PCjs Machines
• Windows 3.0 at the BetaWiki
• Windows 3.0 at Wikipedia

	Wikipedia (article:Windows 3.0) This page usesCreative Commons Licensed content fromWikipedia (view authors).