Windows 3.00 Working Model

3.00 Working Model
Build of Windows 3.0
Screenshot
Release nameDemonstration Version
Working Model
Test Drive
OS family16-bit Windows
Version number3.00
Architecturex86
Compiled on1990-09-07

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.

Gallery[edit | edit source]

Windows 3.0 Working Model[edit | edit source]

Miscellaneous[edit | edit source]

PC World Test Drive[edit | edit source]

Miscellaneous[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]