Windows/386 2.01

Windows/386 2.01 (Compaq) is an OEM build of Windows 2.x. As of 2024, is the earliest available Windows 2.x build. It was compiled between 1987-08-14 and 1987-09-07. This particular build was enhanced with support for the new features of the Intel i386 processor and was marketed as "Windows/386" to denote it separately from the regular version. As this is an OEM build distributed by Compaq, it is missing drivers that exist in the retail version.

Virtual PC

 * 1) Install MS-DOS 5.0
 * 2) Launch Windows 2.01 setup from the first floppy
 * 3) Select the installation directory and computer type
 * 4) Select VGA 640x480 as the display type
 * 5) Choose the keyboard layout
 * 6) Select No mouse or other pointing devices as the mouse type, or alternatively, apply the Windows 1.x mouse fix, i.e. add MOUSE.DRV of Windows 2.03 to the setup files the way you would for additional mouse support in Windows 1.x.
 * 7) Check the settings and then select No changes
 * 8) Press C when Setup asks whether you want to install a printer
 * 9) Select your location
 * 10) After installation, run Win86 (in Win386, this would cause Incorrect DOS version error message or the booting to hang unless you have PC-DOS 3.30/4.01 or MS-DOS 3.3x/4.01) to start Windows

Read Me
Having Windows/386 on the same hard disk as Windows 2.0 or Windows 1.04: -- Windows/386 and earlier versions of Windows have many filenames in common. Unless you are very careful setting up your path, it is possible to have Windows/386 using files from your earlier copies of Windows. This can cause a variety of problems. It is suggested that you delete any other copies of Windows from your machine before installing Windows/386. This suggests that a plain Windows 2.0 might also exist.

VGA 640x450 support
Deciding which VGA driver to use with Windows/386: -- When you are running the Windows/386 setup program, you are given two choices if you have a VGA or compatible display adapter. The first choice, "VGA, 640x480", will run Windows itself in 640 by 480 mode. The second choice, "VGA, 640x450", will run Windows in 640 by 450 mode. If you run Windows in 640 by 480 mode you will not be able to run EGA graphics applications in windowed or background modes. If you run Windows in 640 by 450 mode you will be able to run EGA graphics applications in windowed and background modes. For most users we recommend they select the 640 by 450 mode since the loss of 30 lines in the horizontal is not very noticeable.