Windows 3.00 Test Drive

3.00 Test Drive
	Build of Windows 3.0
Release name	Demonstration Version; Working Model
OS family	16-bit Windows
Version number	3.00
Architecture	x86
Compiled on	1990-07-02
About dialog

Windows 3.0 Test Drive is a special demo version of Windows 3.0, which was distributed for free with some issues of PC World magazine in 1990.^[1] It was designed to showcase the new technology of Windows 3.0 and familiarize users with the new Program Manager interface.

It consists of a stripped down, minimal install of Windows 3.0 and a PC World interactive sideshow, with "Arizona" as the default shell colors. Solitaire is also included. There were separate versions for systems with EGA and VGA displays, as well as 5.25" 1.2MB and 3.5" 1.44MB floppy disk distributions. This demo release is also used as a base for demo (officially called "Working Model") releases of some early versions of Microsoft Office apps from 1990 and 1991.

Application restrictions[edit | edit source]

The included Windows files are modified to prevent running normal Windows 3.0 applications unless they have the string DEMOAPP in the EXE's application description header. By adding this string to normal Windows 3.0 applications, they can run in this demo release.