OS/2 2.0

OS/2 2.0
	Version of OS/2
Version	2.0
Codename	Cruiser (2.0); Riker (2.00.1)
Preliminary name
Architecture	Intel 386
Latest build
Release date	1992-04 (2.0); 1992-10 (2.00.1)
Support end
Replaces
	OS/2 1.3
Replaced by
	OS/2 2.1

OS/2 2.0 is a version of OS/2 that was released in April 1992. It was designed to have hybrid support for 16-bit and 32-bit computer architecture, included MS-DOS 5.0 with multitasking, and it could also run Windows 3.0 applications almost natively, due to the similarities in the way DOS worked.

New features and changes[edit | edit source]

This version sees major changes to the operating system and its user interface as it is now a 32-bit protected mode operating system. It uses the full capabilities of the x86 architecture and no longer relies on the 286-based infrastructure of its predecessor, though it still allows to run 16-bit OS/2 1.x apps.

The Desktop Manager from the previous version was replaced by the Workplace Shell, which now allows to place items onto the desktop in a similar manner to Mac OS. Both Program Selector and Task Manager are also no longer included. Instead, most commands are accessible with a right-click on the desktop. Window commands are also refined, though they still share similarities with those from Windows 3.x and OS/2 1.x.

This version also introduces a proper boot screen (though it is still text-based), showing the OS/2 logo with animation in the center along with copyright notes at the bottom of the screen.

OS/2 2.0 comes with a modified version of Windows designed for OS/2, called WIN-OS/2. It is essentially a Windows 3.0 environment optimized for OS/2 shipped with Adobe Type Manager. WIN-OS/2 was updated with OS/2 2.1 to version 3.1. Many programs and add-ons designed for Windows 3.1 (including Win32s based ones) do work with it, but drivers won't however, as they can brick WIN-OS/2 or render it unusable.

Setup was also overhauled, featuring a new UI and enhanced driver support, but it is still temperamental in terms of hardware.

OS/2 2.x is available in a CD release, which includes the installation CD-ROM, boot floppies, as well as a floppy release. Two variants of OS/2 2.x exist: the "Blue Spine" variant with WIN-OS/2 included, and the "Red Spine" variant (or "OS/2 for Windows") without WIN-OS/2. As its alternate name states, it needs an existing version of Windows 3.x for WIN-OS/2.

An updated version, 2.00.1, was released in October 1992 and was only packaged with IBM hardware.

OS/2 2.11, released in early 1994, is mainly a bugfix release to OS/2 2.1, but it also changes the default desktop background color from gray to teal. It also introduced support for symmetrical multiprocessing (SMP).