Windows 3.x

Windows 3.x is an operating system family, released by Microsoft corporation from 1990 to 1994.

Windows 3.0 was released on May 22, 1990, however was quickly updated to Windows 3.1 in which there were more opportunities for work with networks and multimedia. Support of processor Intel 386, 32-bit architecture, expanded means for file management, by applications and printers, the new graphical interface and multitasking was for the first time presented in Windows 3.0.

In an effect, Windows 3.x it was replaced with the Windows 95 operating system. Windows 3.x also found application in the built-in systems.

Windows 3.0

The system of the first which appeared on May 22, 1990 gained really mass distribution. There was it in many respects because it was preset by producers on the sold computers. With a release of Windows 3.0, the operating system from Microsoft immediately becomes the dominating product in the market thanks to preliminary installation on new computers and broad support from independent suppliers of hardware and the software.

In Windows 3.0 programmers of Microsoft replaced a file cover of DOS with own Manager of the Programs and the special superstructure intended for navigation on a disk – Manager of Files. Windows, action buttons and other elements of the interface had a pseudo-three-dimensional design and used an expanded color palette of VGA thanks to what looked very beautifully and is quite modern.

The operating system included the full-function Control panel allowing to operate practically with all possible Windows settings, including, the opening new opportunity - installations of any graphics image in the bmp format as "substrate" of the main working space of a system. Besides, the system of the help in Windows 3.0 was implemented using the HTML language and contained the hyperlinks conducting to different thematic sections of the hint, and the window of the interactive help had the interface of the standard web browser.

A set of the software delivered together with a system was also considerably expanded: in addition to the Notepad and Wordpad text editors, the graphics editor Paintbrush, instruments of remote access to network and many other utilities, Windows 3.0 contained also a set of games: "Pasyans-Kosynka", "Solitaire Free Cell" and Sapper.

A system supported several modes of memory, including 16-bit Real Mode for computers with earlier processors, than Intel 80286, and 32-bit Enhanced Mode for more productive processors 80386. The release of Windows 3.0 allowed Microsoft to compete on equal terms in respect of convenience of work with Macintosh Apple. In particular, in Windows 3.0 the control panel and the system of windows appeared. Requirements to the hardware a system had a following:

• modern processors 8086/8088 or more
• 384 Memory KB in the Real Mode mode, 1 MB in the Standart Mode mode and 2 MB in the Enhanced Mode mode
• 6-7 MB of a free space on the hard drive
• graphic CGA/EGA/VGA/Hercules/8514/A/XGA cards and compatible monitor
• MS-DOS 3.1 or is newer
• also it was recommended to use a mouse, compatible to a product of Microsoft.

Windows 3.1

Windows 3.1 became the next stage in development of Windows. Appeared in the market in April, 1992 it was the first platform of the Windows family which had the Russian localization and widely adopted in our country. By and large, Windows 3.1 represented only the improved modification of Windows 3.0, it had expanded functions of setup of parameters of a working environment and the improved graphical interface, the set of errors was corrected, stability is increased, scalable fonts of TrueType, etc. are added.

The structure of the Windows interface did not undergo any significant changes, however support of a broad spectrum of sound cards and other popular peripheral devices, a multi-language support with a possibility of switching of layouts of national keyboards and also such utilities as Phonograph intended for record of sounds from the external microphone and "The universal player" was added to structure of the platform.

In a window of a system panel there was an Automatic loading folder in which it was possible to place labels of the programs started at the same time with start of a system, however, now Windows required for start a minimum of the 286th processor and 640 KB of RAM.

Windows for Workgroups 3.1

On October 27, 1992 there was Windows for Workgroups 3.1. In it the functions focused on service of network users and working groups, including email deliveries, planning of group meetings, file sharing and printers and scheduling are integrated. Version 3.1 became a harbinger of a boom of small local networks.

Windows for Workgroups 3.11

In 1993 Microsoft announced release of the new version of the operating system which received the name Windows for Workgroups 3.11.

This was the platform with a bias in corporate orientation - she supported the organization of a local network for protocols TCP/IP, IPX/SPX and NetBEUI, included programs of remote administration of the computer, allowed to use network printers and drives, the program for acceptance and the fax delivery, etc.

Windows for Workgroups 3.11 supported 32-bit access to files. Besides, in the operating system more full compatibility with NetWare and Windows NT was provided.

By and large, Windows 3.11 represented a transitional link between operating systems for the Windows desktop computers and corporate server operating systems of Windows NT. The packet of the application software was expanded the Microsoft Mail e-mail client, the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser, the utility for communication on Microsoft Chat network and the scheduler including the calendar, the notebook and a set of other opportunities.

Windows 3.2

Windows 3.2 was the version only for the Chinese market.

See Also

• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft corporation
• Bill Gates
• Steve Ballmer

Links

• Anthology of operating systems. WINDOWS ERA
• Windows Version History

• History Windows
• The era came to the end with Windows 3.x