Windows 1.0 was the first release of what eventually made it onto almost every desktop computer in the entire world. Many of you are probably unaware of this release from 1985; conceived from ideas found in the original Lisa/Macintosh and Xerox Star system, Windows 1.0 was Microsoft’s attempt at a graphical multitasking operating environment for the IBM PC.
Windows 1.0x features co-operative multitasking, tiled windows, ability to launch and integrate with DOS programs, runs on top of existing DOS, supports 8088 based PCs with IBM CGA, Hercules Monochrome, and IBM EGA video.
Windows 1.01 was the first release made available on store shelves. It was also bundled as a graphical run-time with several applications.
Installation instructions
Installation notes:
The installer expects you to run it from the A: drive. Either write the images to disks or SUBST from a hard drive folder.
Windows 1.x will run on DOS 5 and later as long as SETVER is loaded and there is a SETVER entry for “WIN100.BIN” to report “3.34”. Otherwise it will crash at startup.
COMMAND.COM will only run in a window in DOS 3.3 and earlier.
1.x does not support PS/2 mice. However if you overwrite MOUSE.DRV with the Windows 2.03 version, and install Windows with the serial mouse option, then they will work.
The IBM PS/2 disks contain support for the IBM PS/2 Model 30, 50, 60, 80 and were distributed using 3.5″ 720k media. They include drivers for the IBM PS/2 mouse interface, IBM MCGA video (monochrome VGA), IBM VGA video, and IBM 8514/A video. Because these standards were adopted on PC clones, these disks will work on many other computers and emulators.