Windows 3.0 build 14

Windows 3.0 build 14 is the earliest available build of Windows 3.0, which was released to independent software vendors (ISVs). The build was dumped and uploaded by BetaArchive community member RubyTuesday in 2015 after discovering that their neighbor had owned the build in question.

This early release was distributed on two 1.2MB 5.25" floppy disks, which refer to the build as "Microsoft Windows Pre-Release Version 0.1". It can only run on a 386 or better machine with a specific version of DOS, as not using the correct version will cause Windows to either crash, or refuse to launch the shell. It is speculated that this release was heavily rushed, on the basis of an improvised batch file installation script (similar to that of Windows 1.0 DR5 and the Alpha Release) as well as a lack of accessories and applications included in both Windows 2.x and in later builds of Windows 3.0. Deleting  will reset the color scheme to the Windows 2.x default.

Interestingly, this build shows a watermark in the bottom right corner of the desktop, which says "Windows v3.0 Debug Release 1.14". This particular feature has already been removed by build 55 and didn't reappear until a few years later with the checked/debug release of Windows 3.1. The rest of the branding remains unchanged since Windows 2.1, because the entire shell was ported from that version.

Noticeable differences compared to Windows 2.1x

 * Context menus drop a shadow.
 * The included  file has a commented-out   option. Removing the semicolon for one of both DeskPattern options enables a desktop pattern which was later to be found in the "Desktop" control panel.

; Thatches ;   DeskPattern=248 116 34 71 143 23 34 113 ; Gray Diamonds ;   DeskPattern=0 8 20 42 85 42 20 8
 * It has an improved memory management and runs in protected mode.
 * The easter egg present in Windows 1.0 and Windows 2.x has been stubbed out and no longer functions.
 * System errors messages appear in the center of the screen without a titlebar.
 * New kernel exports are present:
 * __LDTSELECTOR
 * AllocCSToDSAlias
 * AllocDSToCSAlias
 * AllocSelector
 * FreeSelector
 * PrestoChangoSelector

Task Manager
This build's control menus contain a reference to the Task Manager as well as the Ctrl keystroke. However, it does not appear to be implemented in this build.

Installation
This build requires at minimum a 386 processor, with MS-DOS 3.x (COMPAQ's version 3.31 is recommended) installed. The script will alert you that you need to manually add the instruction to load  to your   file. Unlike the final release, this build is started by running the executable. Should the MS-DOS Executive hang, raise the maximum amount of file handles in  (a minimum of 40 is recommended) by adding   to it or modifying the existing setting.

Earlier compiles
The following text was found in  from build 55: Microsoft Windows Old Application Support Module (3.00.14.20jan89)

It is likely that the file comes from an earlier compile of this build, compiled on 20 January 1989.

Bugs and quirks

 * Due to  being missing from this build, you are not able to run any external applications designed for Windows 2.x, such as Microsoft Word or Excel.
 * to start Windows in standard mode is present, but it throws an error when launching and will return back to DOS.
 * This build does not have any boot screen. Instead, a debug warning appears for a brief time upon launching the shell.
 * This build only comes with an EGA display driver. To get a higher resolution, you can use the VGA display driver from Windows/386 2.11.