How to install Windows 3.11 in VMWare 6.5?

By starburst1980
in Microsoft (Windows)

 Share

Recommended Posts

Community Regular

starburst1980

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Educational Purposes ?? or do you mean boredom purposes ?

I think I can safely say there are NO meaningful systems running 3.11 anymore - so as far as it being educational...to what end ?

A bit of both :)

Honestly, I didnt ask "Why should I install it?". Im asking "How to install it?". No questions asked please.

Mentor

goatsniffer

Posted
Posted

Here's a post worth reading...

Get a DOS 6 ISO, select DOS as the guest OS, install DOS, get 3.1 Windows for Workgroups ISO, install from within DOS.

I did it a while back. I got the network working, but I can't remember if I ever got sound up and running. My guess would be to find a DOS Sound Blaster 16 or Sound Blaster 128 driver.

It's kind of harry getting it going, but it's worth it to take a trip back in time to the Comander Keen days.

Community Regular

starburst1980

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Here's a post worth reading...

Get a DOS 6 ISO, select DOS as the guest OS, install DOS, get 3.1 Windows for Workgroups ISO, install from within DOS.

I did it a while back. I got the network working, but I can't remember if I ever got sound up and running. My guess would be to find a DOS Sound Blaster 16 or Sound Blaster 128 driver.

It's kind of harry getting it going, but it's worth it to take a trip back in time to the Comander Keen days.

Thanks :)

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 7 months later...
Community Regular

3aFaReeT

Posted
Posted

Hey Guys,

Just Imagine that our Bank is still using Win3.11 @ our branches cause the Branch Automation system is so old and works perfectly only on Win3.11

So they only way to get it work on new PCs was to migrate it to a Virtual Machine.

I tried my best and made it work at last.

the only this which i really couldn't get is work perfectly is display driver.

so if any one needs drivers I can upload them on Rapidshare or So and post them here..

just let me know :)

Grand Master

+BudMan MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted
I've been very interesting in this, too. Does there even exist a fully-working Windows 3.11 virtual machine? I've never found one.
Not sure if any available for download -- but its easy enough to get one running.

post-14624-1263240892_thumb.jpg

See it pinging in that dos box.. Its on the network, etc. etc.. But can't really use the net -- not may places the OLD 16 bit browsers can display ;)

As to the display driver -- there is a patch out there for svga so you can run it in 1024 -- I would of shown that screen shot, but for it work have to run in fullscreen, and since remoted in to my vmware server, etc. fullscreen mode is a bit of pain.. So just ran it in vga mode.

Here's the page you can get the video driver patch from

http://chitchat.at.infoseek.co.jp/vmware/misc.html#win31svga

BTW - make sure you get a dosidle program on it, or it will really suck up the cpu.

  • 2 weeks later...
Community Regular

mpg187

Posted
Posted

First install dos. you can get a dos img from the internet.

installing windows 3.1 needs a valid license so, if you have a license its legal.

Don't you need a license for DOS too?

I have a 3.1 VM, but I am not sure if I can share it. I think it's old enough that no one cares. I seen a thread here with Windows 98 downloads...

Proficient

Madoshi

Posted
Posted (edited)

Don't you need a license for DOS too?

I have a 3.1 VM, but I am not sure if I can share it. I think it's old enough that no one cares. I seen a thread here with Windows 98 downloads...

technically, MS-DOS does require a license just like Windows 3.1

nothing stopping you though, not even MS is gonna bother

as for installing it in a virtual machine, its just like a real PC. if you have a set of floppies for DOS and Windows, and a floppy drive, it really is just like on a real PC.

Community Regular

mpg187

Posted
Posted

nothing stopping you though, not even MS is gonna botherIn that case:

http://psphomebrew.net/psp/forum_posts.asp?TID=2620

as for installing it in a virtual machine, its just like a real PC. if you have a set of floppies for DOS and Windows, and a floppy drive, it really is just like on a real PC.
I have a Windows 3.1 CD ISO, how would I install that? I can't boot it and DOS doesn't recognize it...
Grand Master

+BudMan MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted

And where did you get a 3.1 ISO -- I don't believe 3.1 was ever released on cdrom... Even the MS download of 3.11 from msdn or there license service is just an exe.

There are plenty of guides on how to install 3.11 on virtual -- but in your case if you have a ISO, just get cdrom working in your dos environment.. Then access the files on the iso you mounted to a cdrom in your virtual software.

Or just extract the files off the ISO and use them that way -- put on a hard drive image you have mounted to your virtual machines.. There are many many different ways to skin a cat ;)

Proficient

Madoshi

Posted
Posted

And where did you get a 3.1 ISO -- I don't believe 3.1 was ever released on cdrom... Even the MS download of 3.11 from msdn or there license service is just an exe.

one of my old 3.11 boxes of past that had a CD-ROM, had it's source files path set to some nested folder on the CD drive. the directory names in the path (never seen the actual CD, could have been some sysop's burned disc) looked "official". kinda odd it was

Enthusiast

Black Leopard

Posted
Posted

To access your CD under DOS you need to have a CDROM driver and the MSCDEX (or any alternative) CDROM enabler. Or you could just install FreeDOS. It's opensource, compatible with 99% of MS-DOS apps, and include long file names, archive (de)compression and CDROM/NET/NTFS/USB handling OOTB).

This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Posts

    • Samsung Galaxy XR arrives in the UK with new AI and enterprise features

      By Fiza Ali · Posted

      Samsung Galaxy XR arrives in the UK with new AI and enterprise features by Fiza Ali Samsung is bringing its Galaxy XR headset to the UK several months after the device made its debut as the first headset built on Google's Android XR platform. The headset was first teased in late 2024 alongside Google's introduction of Android XR before making its commercial debut in 2025. Developed in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm, Galaxy XR combines mixed reality experiences with Gemini-powered AI features, allowing users to interact with digital content using voice, gestures, and visual inputs. While the hardware itself remains largely unchanged from the version Samsung unveiled last year, the company is using the UK launch to spotlight several software enhancements that have arrived through recent updates. Among the most notable additions is deeper integration with Google's ecosystem. Galaxy XR users can explore destinations through Google Maps' Immersive View, receiving AI-powered recommendations and contextual information from Gemini while navigating virtual environments. Furthermore, entertainment experiences have also expanded; users can watch 180-degree and 360-degree videos on YouTube, browse spatial content converted into 3D, and ask Gemini questions about on-screen content without interrupting playback. Samsung is also highlighting mixed-reality features such as Circle to Search, which allows users to identify real-world objects through hand gestures while using the headset's video pass-through mode. Another feature automatically converts photos and videos into spatial 3D experiences. Moreover, the headset now also supports Android Enterprise, allowing organisations to manage deployments using existing Android management tools. Annika Bizon, Vice President, Product and Marketing, Mobile Experience, Samsung UK & Ireland, talked about the device, stating: The headset is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform and features dual 4K Micro-OLED displays. The tech giant says that users can expect up to 2.5 hours of battery life. Samsung also confirmed that Galaxy XR will continue receiving software and security updates as the company works alongside Google and Qualcomm to expand the Android XR ecosystem. Galaxy XR is now available for pre-order and will go on sale on 8 July. Customers interested in trying the headset before launch can visit Samsung KX in London and selected Samsung Experience Stores from 17 June. Finally, the company will also host a livestream on 19 June showcasing the headset's capabilities and answering questions from prospective customers.
    • Politically funny images of the World

      By +primortal · Posted

    • Politically funny images of the World

      By +primortal · Posted

    • Politically funny images of the World

      By +primortal · Posted

    • Microsoft's Copilot Cowork now generally available with usage-based billing

      By AltecXP · Posted

      Cowork is so broken. it will keep just not responding while trying to do a task. Then you have to work to get it to REstart the task.

  • Recent Achievements

    • First Post
      Jocimo earned a badge
      First Post
    • Week One Done
      suprememobiles48 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Windows Guy earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Month Later
      Prasann earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Prasann earned a badge
      Week One Done

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      521
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      174
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      95
    4. 4
      Steven P.
      84
    5. 5
      ATLien_0
      70
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!