Windows 3.00 Working Model
Build of Windows 3.0 | |
Release name | Demonstration Version Working Model Test Drive |
---|---|
OS family | 16-bit Windows |
Version number | 3.00 |
Architecture | x86 |
Compiled on | 1990-09-07 |
Windows 3.0 Working Model is a special demo version of Windows 3.0, which was distributed for free in 1990 and 1991. 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, some of the applications bundled with the full version, and a guided tour.[1] This demo release is also used as the runtime for Working Model demos of some early versions of Microsoft applications (like Word for Windows) from 1990 and 1991.
PC World Test Drive[edit | edit source]
A customized version of the Working Model was distributed with some issues of PC World magazine as the PC World TestDrive.[2] It adds a PC World interactive slideshow and has "Arizona" as the default shell colors. 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. PC World variants of the application demos such as Excel for Windows also existed.[3]
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. The Working Model demos of Microsoft applications mentioned above pass this check.