Windows 3.0

Windows 3.0
Basic Information
Developer(s)	Microsoft Corporation
Publisher(s)	Microsoft Corporation
Type(s)	Operating System
Architecture(s)	80286 and IA-32
Status(es)	Unsupported
Series	Microsoft Windows
Predecessor	Windows/286, Windows/386
Successor	Windows 3.00a
Platform(s)	MS-DOS
International Release Date(s)
MS-DOS May 22, 1990
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Windows 3.0 is a graphical operating system released by Microsoft Corporation on May 22, 1990. It became the first successful version of Windows and a rival to the Apple Macintosh and the Commodore Amiga on the graphical user interface front. Support was officially discontinued on December 31, 2001.

Features

Windows 3.0 had a significantly revamped user interface and has better memory management thanks to the capabilities of the Intel 80286 and 80386 CPUs. It could run text mode programs written for MS-DOS within a window - making it a crude multitasking base for legacy programs.

The MS-DOS Executive file manager and program launcher was separated into the list-based File Manager and the icon-based Program Manager. Microsoft Solitaire was added to this release, as was the substantially improved Paintbrush paint program, Notepad text editor, and Write word processor.

Minimum Specifications

MS-DOS Minimum/Recommended Specifications
Minimum Specifications		Recommended Specifications
Operating System	MS-DOS 3.1 or PC-DOS 3.1
CPU	8086, 8088 or 80286	CPU	80386SX or 80386DX
RAM	384 KB conventional memory	RAM	640 KB conventional memory and 256 KB extended memory
Graphics	CGA, EGA, VGA, 8514/A, Hercules graphics card or compatible graphics card	Graphics	EGA or higher
Storage	Hard disk required with 6-7 MB of free space
Floppy Disk Drive	A low-density (720 KB) 3.5" or 1.20 MB 5.25" Floppy Disk Drive is required for Installation.
Connectivity	Hayes or compatible modem for communications.
Input	Microsoft Mouse or compatible