1992 – Windows 3.1, 3.11 et For Workgroups
On April 6, 1992, Microsoft released the successor to its popular version 3.0—Windows 3.1. While the name “3.1” might suggest a minor update, it was in fact a significant milestone in the evolution of Windows.
Like other versions, Windows 3.1 was designed to maintain backward compatibility. However, at the time, it supported only a limited number of file formats. For instance, in terms of image processing, there was initially no support for GIF or JPEG files—only bitmap files were supported.
Additionally, Windows 3.1 introduced support for TrueType fonts, enabling Microsoft to compete with Adobe’s Type Manager.
On November 8, 1993, version 3.11 was released, addressing several networking issues present in version 3.1. Unlike its predecessors, Windows 3.11 was not compatible with IBM's OS/2. Until then, OS/2 could run MS-DOS, Windows, and OS/2 applications, providing a broad range of software support. This lack of compatibility appears to have been a strategic move by Microsoft to prevent losing ground in the ongoing battle of operating systems. It’s worth remembering that Microsoft had ended its partnership with IBM in the development of OS/2 the previous year.
A separate version called "Windows for Workgroups" was also released in November 1993. This edition was geared more toward businesses than home users, offering enhanced network sharing features between users.
Windows 3.1x was generally well received. Its graphical interface had been significantly improved compared to its predecessor, and it enjoyed considerable popularity in the consumer market. Priced at $149 USD, it sold three million copies within its first three months.
As a fun fact, Windows 3.1 was the last version to not include the now-familiar context menu accessed via right-click. This feature would debut in Windows 95.
The hardware requirements evolved slightly between Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups. The essential requirements were:
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A 80286 processor, though a 80386 was recommended
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1 MB of memory, ideally 3 MB
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A hard disk with at least 8 MB of free space
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A mouse was strongly recommended, but not required
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MS-DOS 3.1 (or 3.3 for Windows for Workgroups)
Support for Windows 3.1 officially ended in December 2001, while support for Windows 3.11 for Workgroups extended until November 2008. Windows NT 3.1, launched in 1993, succeeded it as the first version of a new Windows branch dedicated to enterprise servers.
This marks the end of the first chapter in the history of Windows—a period where Windows functioned more as a graphical shell layered over MS-DOS rather than a standalone operating system. Interestingly, all the versions we’ve discussed shared the same end-of-support date—December 2001—highlighting Microsoft's intention to mark a clear shift in the evolution of its personal computing platform.
In the next phase, we’ll see Windows transition into a fully integrated operating system, with DOS hidden beneath its surface. Until this point, DOS was the primary environment, and users had to launch Windows manually from the command line in order to access its features.
