Windows NT 3.1 build 297

Windows NT 3.1 build 297.1 is the official July 1992 preliminary 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.

New features and changes

 * The default installation directory is now "WINNT" instead of "NT".
 * This build introduces the  bitmap used 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 1743.1.
 * 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.
 * The build includes driver support for XGA and Dell OEM display drivers, although many driver files such as Video 7 and Tseng display are present.
 * 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.
 * It is the first build to include a functional NTVDM (NT virtual DOS machine).
 * This build introduces startup (TADA.WAV) and shutdown sounds.

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: