Windows NT 3.1 build 297

Windows NT 3.1 build 297 is the official July 1992 "Preliminary Release for Developers" release of Windows NT 3.1, distributed to developers for evaluation. KenOath first claimed to have this build, then it was shared in April 2011, along with the October 1991 and December 1991 builds.

Setup

 * The Windows NT setup has been massively overhauled and no longer boots directly into a GUI. Instead, a minimal text environment is used for the first part. After copying files (by default now into "WINNT" instead of "NT"), the GUI will start immediately, in a similar manner to Windows 3.x. In the second part, many aspects already resemble the RTM, including network setup. The latter now also allows to create a workgroup instead of joining a domain.
 * This build adds support for more devices, including XGA and Dell OEM display drivers, Future Domain SCSI adapters and keyboard layouts other than US English.

Miscellaneous

 * This build introduces the  bitmap used up until Windows NT 4.0.
 * The developer apps are no longer installed by default, as they are moved to a separate application development disk.
 * This build can now properly shut down and introduces the safe to shutdown dialog that would be kept until Windows 2000 build 1738.
 * The Sound Blaster driver now allows configuring the card IRQ and I/O address instead of relying on hardcoded values.
 * Most of the Windows 3.0 MME sounds were removed and replaced with the sounds that are used in Windows 3.1.
 * This build has an option to format the system partition with NTFS during setup, but it doesn't work since it's still just a placeholder.
 * has been updated to version 2.10.
 * This is the first build to include a functional NTVDM (NT virtual DOS machine).
 * This is the earliest dumped build with support for the G364 video adapter on MIPS systems.
 * FreeCell has been added from Microsoft Entertainment Pack Vol. 2.
 * Pressing Ctrl will no longer restart the computer, but instead opens the Windows NT security options.
 * This build adds the "Administrative Tools" to the Program Manager.

Sound Blaster configuration
Due to there being no UI for modifying drivers in this build, you must go to  in the registry and change   to the card's IRQ.

File differences
The following files have been introduced or removed compared to build 239: