Windows® Versions Features

This document lists brief descriptions and features of Microsoft® Windows operating systems prior to Win95. While you may find older versions of development tools in many places, links to the old/used programming tools sales pages of EMS Professional Software, this page's sponsor, are provided for your convenience. EMS is not affiliated with Microsoft or any other vendor. All terms on this page are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other Microsoft version information. Information on other vendors' products. Y2K info. See also http://www.metrics.com/WinFAQ/winver.htm and http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q32/9/05.asp


Windows 1.0
Windows 2.0
Windows/286
Windows/386

Windows 3.0
Windows 3.1
Windows 3.11

Windows for Workgroups 3.10
Windows for Workgroups 3.11

 


Microsoft Windows 1.0 Retail BoxMicrosoft Windows 1.0 Retail Box, reverse
Windows 1.0 - The GUI that started it all. Pictured is the box for the 1.02 version. This version could not overlap windows. 1.0 shipped on November 20, 1985. More photos.

MS SKUs:
050-050 WINDOWS IBM 21084-073-01 VERSION:1.01," Part No. 050-050-133
A customer with disks that were Version 1.01 (after installation) found them in an open box labeled "0785 Part No. 050-050-004" 

Disks are labeled:
1.01: 050050.101
1.03: 050050.103

One buyer suggested these as components of this package:
Windows 1.0 box
4 5.25" system diskettes
1 program disk
O/S User's Guide
Write Program User's Guide
Desktop User's Guide
Window's Update
M/S Paint User's Guide


I've been told that version 1.00 is labeled 0785 050-050-004 and 1.01 is labeled: 0286 Part No. 050-050-133


1.0x Contents

Box spine labeled 0786 Part No. 050-050-226

Box photos do not show overlapping windows


1.01 Contents (buy it)
Box spine labeled 0785 Part No. 050-050-004
User's Guide manual: 183 pages, 0685 Part No. 050-050-001
Desktop Applications User's Guide, version 1.0, 69 pages, 1985, 0685 Part No. 050-050-002
Paint User's Guide, version 1.0, 1985, 36 pages, 0685-050-003
Write User's Guide, 1985, 118 pages, 0885 Part No. 050-050-037
Quick Reference Card, accordion style pamphlet, Part No. 050-050-017
Microsoft Windows Update,12 pages, 050-050-071
Registration form, mail-in portion detached and mailed to Microsoft, 0286 Part No. 999-999-886
Microsoft Software Catalog brochure, 8 panel (4 page) pamphlet, 1284- Part No. 999-999-888
Intel Above Board ad, four pages, MC1504 on last page
License Agreement envelope: 0885 Part No. 999-999-837

5.25 floppies with sleeves marked Part No. 999-999-880

Disk1 (050-050-007)/Setup (imprinted D-337 and 050050.101),
Disk2 (050-050-008)/Build (imprinted D-338 and 050050.101),
Disk3 (050-050-009/Utilities (imprinted D-338 and 050050.101),
Disk4 (050-050-031)/Desktop Applications (imprinted D-338 and 050050.101),
(050-050-035)/Program Disk (imprinted D-339 and 050050.101)


1.03 Contents (buy it)

Box spine labeled 0786 Part No. 050-050-227
User's Guide manual: 183 pages, 0685 Part No. 050-050-001
Desktop Applications User's Guide, version 1.0, 69 pages, 1985, 0685 Part No. 050-050-002
Paint User's Guide, version 1.0, 1985, 36 pages, 0685-050-003
Write User's Guide, 1985, 118 pages, 0885 Part No. 050-050-037
Operating Environment, Version 1.03 Update, 30 pages, Part No. 050-050-207
Quick Reference Card, accordion style pamphlet, Part No. 050-050-017
Operating Environment for IBM and COMPAQ Personal Computers, 3 page brochure, Part No. 098-050-209 (not in one package I surveyed)
Blank User Survey form (not in one package I surveyed)
Registration form, mail-in portion detached and mailed to Microsoft, 0286 Part No. 999-999-886
Dot matrix printout describing "primary differences between versions 1.01 and 1.03" (not in one package I surveyed)
Microsoft Software Catalog brochure, 8 panel (4 page) pamphlet (not in one package I surveyed)
License Agreement envelope: 0885 Part No. 999-999-837

5.25 floppies

Disk1 (050-050-288)/Setup(imprinted S-283 identifier),
Disk2 (050-050-289)/Build(imprinted D-272 identifier),
Disk3 (050-050-290/Utilities,
Disk4(050-050-291)/Fonts(imprinted D-272identifier),
Disk5 ((050-050-292)/Desktop Applications,
Disk6 (050-050-293)/Program Disk (imprinted with S-286)

All diskettes imprinted with 050050.103 (additional identifier).

 

A second set of disks I've seen has:
Disk1 (050-050-210), Setup Disk (imprinted S-232 identifier),
Disk2 (050-050-212, Build Disk, no imprint,
Disk3 (050-050-214, Utilities Disk, no imprint
Disk4 (050-050-216), Fonts Disk, no imprint,
Disk5 (050-050-218),Desktop Applications disk, no imprint,
Disk6 (050-050-223), Microsoft Windows Write Writing Program, Program Disk (imprinted with D-235)

All diskettes imprinted with 050050.103 (additional identifier).


1.04 has label SKU # 050-050V104 according to one source.


Windows 2.0 ships on December 9, 1987. It uses overlapping windows instead of 1.0's tiled windows. Can use protected mode on 80286 systems and exceed DOS's 640K limit. It may be that 2.0 and Windows/286 are identical, with /286 assigned to avoid confusion after /386 was released. I've seen one box labeled Windows/286 with product number 050-050V211, indicating there was a 2.11 version.


Windows/286

MS Part Numbers:

2.10: 050-050V210
"WINDOWS 286, VERSION 2.10": 050-051V210 (3.5" disks) (white label is on bottom of box)
"WINDOWS 286, USA VERSION 2.11": 050-051V211 (white label is on bottom of box)
050-550V210 (Promotional Sample Not For Resale)
ZDS OEM: MS-31-20

Microsoft Windows/286 Retail Box

Windows/286 (Windows 2.10) (buy it)- released in June 1988. White label on bottom of box. Part no. 050-050V210. System requirements 512K, DOS 3.0 or higher, one 1.2MB disk drive and HDD, graphics adapter card (EGA, VGA, 8514, CGA, or Hercules compatible). For PCs using the 80286 Processor. On 1.2MB disks, with 360K disks available on request. Includes the following materials:
Retail box sleeve, rear lower left labeled Version 2.1, 0488 Part No. 02946
Four 1.2MB disks, labeled 03105 through 03108
Diskette envelope with License agreement, Part No. 02030
Registration Card, printed with product number in purple letters: 050050.210. 0387 Part No. 999-999-708
Free Disk-Conversion Offer card, 0488 Part No. 03090. Kit No. 050-050-685
Installing and Customizing instruction sheet, 0588 Part No. 03631
Device Compatibility List, 0488 Part No. 03190
Training Materials (Courseware) order form, 0488 Part No. 03162
Manuals:
Quick Reference Guide, 11 pages, 0787 Part No. 00054
Questions and Answers18 pages, 0488 Part No. 03025
User's Guide, 0787 Part No. 00053
Promotional Materials:
Excel brochure, 0987 Part No. 01046
Mouse offer card, 0987 Part No. 00982
Windows Shopping catalog, 0588 Part No. 098-050-403


MS Part Numbers:

050-180V200, 5.25"
050-580V210, Promotional Sample Not For Resale
WINDOWS 386 2.11 DU: 050-080V211

Microsoft Windows/386 Retail Box

Windows/386 (buy it)- released December 9, 1987. Takes advantage of 386's ability to run multiple virtual DOS systems.


Microsoft Windows 3.0 Retail Box

Windows 3.0 (buy it)

Released May 22, 1990. A 3.0a version with multimedia was released in October 1991.

MS Part numbers:

WINDOWS 3.00(3.5): 050-031V300 (same number may or may not include DayBook)
WINDOWS 3.0(3.5) IBM ACIS: 050-431V300

System requirements: 286 or later processor. 640K conventional memory (additional 256K extended memory recommended), hard disk; Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA, or 8514/A graphics card (EGA or higher resolution recommended). DOS 3.1 or later. Mouse is an option.

 

Retail US version includes the following materials (we opened a sealed box to get this list):
Retail box 1190 Part No. 18759
Seven 720K disks, disk 1 Disk Assy 050-031-317 © 1985-1990
Registration card 0192 PN 30300
Resource Kit offer, 0691 Part No. 098-24123
Hardware and Software Reference Lists, 0591 Part No. 098-23679
Printed manuals:
Questions and Answers, Document No. SY21017-0291, 25 pages, 0890 Part No. 21017
User's Guide, Document No. SY06851-0290/OEMW770-3Z, 640 pages. Proof of license card and license agreement is attached to manual inside front cover.


Windows 3.1 (Buy it)

MS Part Numbers:

Version upgrade, 5.25": 050-030-620 (list price $79.95)
UPDATE WINDOWS 3.10 (3.5)RESELLER*: 050-031-620 (list price $79.95)
Full version, 5.25": 050-030v310 (list price $149.95)
Full version, 3.5": 050-031v310 (list price $149.95)
Full version, non-USA, 3.5": 050-031AV310
Full version with Ballpoint Mouse Bundle, 3.5": 1562695V310

- released April 6, 1992


Windows 3.11 (buy it)

MS Part Numbers:

Special Upgrade Edition for users of Windows version 3.0 or 2.x.: "UPDATE WINDOWS 3.11 (3.5)RESELLER": 050-031-220
WINDOWS 3.11(3.5)H: 050-031V311

Microsoft Windows 3.11 upgrade
Special Upgrade package. Box says it's "3.1" as do disk labels and manual. First disk has Disk Assy. 050-031-199


Windows for Workgroups 3.1 - released October 22, 1992


Microsoft Windows 3.1
BallPoint Mouse and Windows 3.1 Bundle. MS part number 1562695V310


Windows for Workgroups 3.11 - released November 8, 1993


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