Windows 1.01 was the first version of Microsoft Windows, released in 1985. It was an incredibly important milestone in the history of computing, and it’s still possible to install it on your computer today! In this article, we’ll discuss what exactly Windows 1.01 is, why you might want to install it, and how you can go about doing so step-by-step. Let’s get started!
Windows 1.01 was the first public release of Microsoft Windows, released on November 20, 1985. It was a 16-bit graphical operating environment that ran on top of MS-DOS and was designed to make it easy to use a computer with a mouse.
The original version of Windows 1.01 included several basic applications, including a text editor, a paint program, and a calculator. It also included an early version of the now-familiar desktop interface, with windows and icons that could be moved around and opened with a mouse click.
Microsoft continued to develop Windows throughout the 1980s, releasing several new versions including Windows 2.0, 3.0, and 3.1. Each new release added more features and improved upon the previous version.
Windows 1.01 was a significant milestone in the history of personal computing, as it was the first time that a graphical user interface (GUI) was available to the masses on a 16-bit platform. While it was not perfect, it laid the foundation for Microsoft’s success in the GUI market with future versions of Windows.
How to Install Windows 1.0
It’s not too hard to install Windows 1.0 but keep in mind that it’s an old operating system that Microsoft launched in 1985 and isn’t compatible with modern hardware. But if you want to install it anyway for historical or simulation reasons, here are the general steps:
- Get a copy of Windows 1.0. Windows 1.0 is “abandonware,” which means that Microsoft no longer supports it and that it can be given away for free. You can look for it on websites that have old running systems or software.
- Make a virtual machine. Since Windows 1.0 doesn’t work with current hardware, the best way to run it is to set up a virtual machine (VM). VirtualBox and VMware are two well-known VM programs you can use. Install the VM program and set up a new virtual machine with the settings you want.
Start the virtual machine by opening your VM program and starting the virtual machine you just made.
- Mount the Windows 1.0 installation media. In the virtual machine, go to the settings or options and set the virtual CD/DVD drive to point to the Windows 1.0 installation disc file, which is usually in ISO format. This will let the virtual machine use the software discs.
- Boot from the installation media: Turn on the virtual machine and make sure it starts from the Windows 1.0 installation media. The VM software might have a boot window or settings where you can change the order of how things startup.
- Follow the installation process. Once the virtual machine has started up from the installation disc, you should see the Windows 1.0 setup process. Follow the steps on the screen to finish the process. During the process, you might be asked to format a fake hard drive and choose how to install it.
- Finish the installation. When the installation process is done, the virtual machine will restart, and the Windows 1.0 screen should appear.
Keep in mind that Windows 1.0 doesn’t do as much as current operating systems and has a very different interface and set of features. It’s mostly interesting because of how old it is, and you might find it easier to use a newer version of Windows or a different operating system for your day-to-day computing needs.
Windows 1.0 ISO Download
| Size | 3.7MB |
| Language | English |
| Release Date | Thu Nov 14 1985 |
| Developed by | Microsoft |
| License | Free |
| File | ISO |
| Update | Dec 30 2001 |
Safe & Secure
System Requirements
Windows 1.0, released in 1985, had relatively modest system requirements by today’s standards. Here are the general system requirements for running Windows 1.0:
- Processor: Intel 8086/8088 processor or compatible.
- Memory (RAM): At least 256 kilobytes (KB) of RAM. However, for better performance, having 512 KB or more is recommended.
- Hard Drive: Windows 1.0 required a hard drive with a capacity of at least 5-10 MB. It was not designed to run solely from floppy disks.
- Display: A graphics card or adapter capable of displaying a resolution of 640×200 pixels in monochrome (black and white) mode or 640×350 pixels in 16 colors. Most common displays of the time used CGA (Color Graphics Adapter) or MDA (Monochrome Display Adapter).
- Input: Keyboard and mouse (although early versions of Windows had limited mouse support).
It’s important to note that these specifications reflect the computing capabilities of the mid-1980s, and modern hardware and operating systems have significantly evolved since then. Windows 1.0 is not compatible with current hardware architectures, and running it requires the use of virtual machines or emulators.
