Windows 2

From WE Computers Museum
Revision as of 05:44, 29 June 2023 by Jenni (talk | contribs) (Created page with "{{Infobox_Software | software_name = Windows 2.x| software_image = 300px| developer = Microsoft| publisher = Microsoft| systems = x86| release = 2.0: December 9, 1987<br />2.1: May 27, 1988 | added_to_museum = Not yet| }} '''Windows 2.0''' is the second iteration of the Windows product line by Microsoft. Like its predecessor, Windows 2.0 was a mouse-con...")
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Windows 386 2.10 box.png
Windows 2.x
Developer Microsoft
Publisher Microsoft
Platforms x86
Released 2.0: December 9, 1987
2.1: May 27, 1988
Added to
Museum
Not yet

Windows 2.0 is the second iteration of the Windows product line by Microsoft.

Like its predecessor, Windows 2.0 was a mouse-controlled graphic user interface rather than an operating system.

New features

Windows 2.0 added overlapping windows, more keyboard shortcuts, and a control panel.

Versions

As before, Windows 2.0 and 2.1 were restricted to the 16-bit architecture of DOS as they relied on the DOS operating system for essential functions.

2.1 was split into 286 and 386 versions and required a hard drive. Windows/286 included a himem.sys file that allowed access to the high memory area freeing up conventional memory. Windows/386 also had himem.sys, and used the virtual 8086 mode of the 80386 to allow for multi-tasking of DOS applications.

Windows/386 2.1 ran DOS programs through a DOS-based Virtual DOS Machine.

The Windows 2.x line had 16-bit file access. Applications created with these versions were compatible with Windows 2 but weren't compatible with Windows 3 and higher operating systems due to the lack of protected mode.

Digital 16-bit Windows 2.x games owned by WEC Museum

Title Developer Released Date Added to the Museum Notes
Taipei! Bogus Software 1987 April 26, 2019 Version 1.02 of a Mahjong Solitaire game for Windows 2.1.