Windows 3.0

Windows 3.0 is a major release of Microsoft Windows that was released on 22 May 1990 as the successor to Windows 2.x and was the first truly popular version of Windows. It was a major improvement over Windows 2.x, featuring a completely revamped user interface.

It was the last version to support 8088/8086 real mode (640k RAM) as Windows 3.1 only offered "Standard mode" (max 16MB RAM on 80286) and "386 Enhanced mode" (on 80386). Regardless of which mode is chosen, Windows 3.0 cannot recognize more than 16 MB of RAM, even in 386 enhanced mode.

Windows 3.0 can run in up to 24-bit color mode, given the proper display driver and graphics card.

This version stopped to use the Windows 1.0 to Windows 2.x BSOD, replacing the Windows 3.1 Black Screen of Death.