Windows 2.0

The Windows/386 splashscreen

Windows 2.0 was the second release of the Microsoft Windows enviroment for MS-DOS. It was not a commercial sucess, however it furthered the development of the kernel so that it could use XMS memory, and it later introduced a 286 specific version that could do some limited multitasking with MS-DOS, and a 386 specific version that could spawn multiple VDM's.

An interesting thing about version 2.0 of Microsoft Windows, is the refrence to Presentation Manager and the future of OS/2 in the literature. Even the appearence of the GUI between OS/2 1.1 & 1.2 and Windows 2.0 is consistent.

It was superceded by Windows 3.0.

Windows/286

This version had some specific code to the 80286 cpu allowing limited MS-DOS multitasking. However since each instance of MS-DOS consumed the same limited 640kb memory pool, it was largely ineffective.

Windows/386

Windows/386 running multiple VDM's

Windows/386 was Microsoft's first product to allow people to directly use the V86 mode of the 80386 cpu. With enough expanded memory you could run several virtual MS-DOS machines. What was 'cool' is that each VDM was copied from the primary memory map, so that way each VM had the same operating features, and each had the same ammount of free memory. The selling point at the time, was that each VDM could run it's own programs in it's own memory space. From the sample picture, a VM is running GW-Basic, another is running Zork II, and another is running chkdsk. Each one started up with the same ammount of free memory. Windows/386 also facilitated basic clipboard operations between VM's so you could copy data between MS-DOS applications, and of course Windows applications.

It's worth noting that this version of windows still ran in the limited space of the MS-DOS 640kb area, but it went to protected mode to run the v86 machines, with expanded memory, while itself was limited to the real memory space. Needless to say IBM should have taken note, as this quasi 32bit shell suddenly could do something that the 16bit version of OS/2 could never do, and years before the release of OS/2 2.0, which is run multiple MS-DOS VM's.

Windows/386 shipped with a 'working model' of Excel, that was limited to 16 colums and 64 rows.

Naturally since, Compaq was the first to release a 386 based computer they were bundling Windows/386 with it. There is a press release available here Microsoft Windows-386 Being Delivered With Compaq 80386-Based PCs Through Dec. 31, 1987.

The first versions were shipping in 1987, with 2.11 in 1988.

Windows/386 is also known for the laughable promotion video: video if Windows/386. Jump to the 7 minute mark, and see how long you can stand it!