Windows 3.1 in a Windows 95 Virtual Machine (2022)
3 days ago
- #Windows 95
- #Virtual Machine
- #Retro Computing
- Windows 95 could run the GUI portion of Windows 3.1 as a DOS program in a virtual machine, a feature that persisted beyond pre-release versions.
- Geoff Chappell recalls demonstrating Windows 3.1 GUI running in an MS-DOS Prompt under Windows 3.1 and Windows 95, with some trickery involved.
- Raymond Chen's 2018 article highlighted a pre-release feature of Windows 95 running Windows 3.1 in a virtual machine, but omitted details about its survival in the released product.
- The feature was more about demonstrating novelty and compatibility to beta testers rather than being a practical tool for end-users.
- Windows 3.1 could also run multiple instances of its GUI in separate virtual machines, each in its own window, a capability not widely known or discussed.
- Microsoft's packaging of the feature involved a DOS program (WIN31.EXE) and a Program Information File (WIN31.PIF), designed to run Windows 3.1 full-screen for a more realistic experience.
- The design choices, such as running Windows 3.1 full-screen and capturing all Windows shortcut keys, were aimed at making the experience feel like running Windows 3.1 on a physical machine.
- The feature's implementation involved specialized support from the operating system, including hooks and virtual device driver calls, to manage the virtual machine and switch focus between Windows 3.1 and the host system.
- The article suggests that the feature was more about marketing and perception, helping to position Windows 95 as a revolutionary departure rather than an evolutionary update.
- Part Two of the article promises to delve into the technical details and requirements for running Windows 3.1 in a virtual machine under Windows 95 and Windows 3.1.