KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q82699: Running Windows 3.0 from Windows 3.1

Article: Q82699
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.1,3.11
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 30-OCT-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows versions 3.1, 3.11 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

It is possible to run Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.0 from inside
Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1, but only in real mode. To do
this safely and efficiently, create a program information file (PIF) that sets
up the memory requirements for real mode Windows and runs a batch file that
removes Windows 3.1 from the PATH environment variable in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

MORE INFORMATION
================

The optimal memory configuration for Windows 3.0 real mode is as follows:

  XMS memory required: 512K
  XMS memory desired : 512K

  EMS memory required: 1024K
  EMS memory desired : 2048K

Windows 3.1 must be removed from the PATH environment variable to ensure that no
version 3.1 drivers or dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) will be loaded by Windows
3.0.

The PIF file should have a batch file as the executable filename. The batch file
should at least have the following lines

  ...SET PATH=C:\WIN30
  ...C:
  ...CD\WIN30
  ...WIN /R

where "WIN30" is your Windows 3.0 program directory and C is the drive that
contains Windows 3.0.

Note: If the Windows 3.1 directory is on a drive other than C, it is critical to
have the line "C:" in the batch file (where C is the drive that contains Windows
3.0).

Additional query words: 3.10 3.1 3.00 within under

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin310 kbWin311
Version           : WINDOWS:3.1,3.11

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.