Windows for Workgroups Version History

• Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11
• Microsoft Workgroup Add-On for MS-DOS, version 3.11

                                SUMMARY
                                =======

This article lists the version history and features for Microsoft Windows
for Workgroups versions 3.1 and 3.11.

                            MORE INFORMATION
                            ================

VERSION 3.1
===========

Date
----

10/1/92

Requirements
------------

 - MS-DOS 3.3 or later (5.0 or later recommended).
 - PC with 80286 or higher (386SX or higher required for file and print
   sharing).
 - 3 MB RAM (4 MB recommended) and 386SX or higher for file and print
   sharing (enhanced mode).
 - 2 MB RAM and 80286 or higher without file and print sharing (standard
   mode).
 - One 5.25" or 3.5" high-density disk drive and a hard disk with 9.5 MB
   available space (14.5 MB recommended).
 - VGA, Super VGA, 8514/A, EGA, or video graphics adapter and monitor
   compatible with Windows 3.1 (color VGA or better resolution
   recommended).
 - Microsoft Windows-compatible network adapter card and cabling.

Options
-------

 - Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device (mouse recommended).
 - Hayes or compatible modem.
 - Audio board.
 - CD-ROM drive.

Features
--------

 - Microsoft Windows for Workgroups (WFW) is a self-contained version of
   Windows 3.1 that includes all the network software necessary for sharing
   files, printers, OLE objects, and DDE data with other WFW-equipped
   computers or with Microsoft LAN Manager-compatible network clients or
   servers. It contains an improved user interface including configuration
   options for use with LAN Manager or NetWare servers, with its own server
   functionality available on an Intel 80386-based or higher processor.
 - Peer-to-peer networking.
 - Electronic Mail, extensible.
 - Electronic scheduling.
 - Enhanced File Manager: Sharing directories, connecting to remote PCs,
   new Toolbar, and is extensible.
 - Enhanced Print Manager: Sharing printers, connecting to remote printers,
   and new Toolbar.
 - Enhanced Control Panel: Network icon.
 - Clipbook Viewer: Can save and share clipboard clippings.
 - Tools: Chat, Netwatcher, Winmeter.
 - NetWare and LAN Manager (and Windows NT) connectivity.
 - Hearts game.
 - Unlimited number of nodes per workgroup (response time slows as the
   number of PCs in the workgroup increases).
 - 500-user limit on Microsoft Mail Post Office.
 - No hardcoded limit to resource sharing, but it is impacted by other
   factors such as available memory, protocol usage and hardware.

Available Packages (SKUs)
-------------------------

 - WFW (software for one user only).
 - WFW Add-On for Windows 3.1 users (software for one user only).
 - WFW Upgrade for Windows 3.0 users (software for one user only).
 - WFW Network Starter Kit (software and hardware for two users). Hardware
   includes 2 Intel EtherExpress 16 network adapters (software
   configurable), 2 T-connectors, 2 terminators, 25 feet of RG-58
   coaxial cable, WatchMe Second Install Video, and 1 screwdriver.
 - WFW Network User Kit (software and hardware for one user). Hardware
   includes 1 Intel EtherExpress 16 network adapter, 1 T-connector, and 25
   feet of RG-58 coaxial cable.
 - WFW Add-On Network Starter Kit (software and hardware for two Windows
   3.1 users). The same as the Network Starter Kit, but packaged
   specifically for Windows 3.1 users. A 5-user package is also available.
 - WFW Add-On Network User Kit (software and hardware for one Windows 3.1
   user). The same as the Network User Kit, packaged specifically for
   Windows 3.1 users. A 5-user package is also available.
 - Workgroup Connection. Provides network access for computers that cannot
   run WFW. Includes MS-DOS Mail client and NET.EXE pop-up utility.

Limitations
-----------

 - No Standalone support--network adapter required.
 - No ODI support.
 - No Ghosted Connections option.
 - NDIS 2 (real-mode) drivers only.
 - Workgroup Connection and real-mode network is client-only.

VERSION 3.11
============

Date
----

11/1/93

Requirements
------------

 - MS-DOS 3.3 or later (6.2 or later recommended).
 - PC with 386SX or higher processor.
 - 3 MB RAM; 4 MB recommended (with no network installed, requires only
   2 MB).
 - One 5.25" or 3.5" high-density, or 3.5" low-density disk drive.
 - Hard disk drive with 10.5 MB available space (15.5 MB recommended).
 - VGA, Super VGA, 8514/A, or video graphics adapter and monitor
   compatible with Windows 3.1 (color VGA or better resolution monitor
   recommended).
 - For fax capability: Class 1, Class 2, or Communications Application
   Specification (CAS) modem required (only Class 1 modems will support
   binary file transfer).
 - Microsoft Windows-compatible network adapter card and cabling. NOTE: No
   network hardware (network adapter card and cabling) is required if you
   want to run WFW with networking turned off.

Options
-------

 - Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device (mouse recommended).
 - Hayes or compatible modem.
 - Audio board.
 - CD-ROM drive.

Changes and New Features
------------------------

Microsoft Windows for Workgroups (WFW) version 3.11 contains all of the
features included in version 3.1 plus the following features:

Network Features:

 - NDIS 3.0-specification network drivers: Protect-mode drivers, installed
   as VXDs, using no conventional memory.
 - NWLink (and NWNBLink): 32-bit protect-mode protocol for the IPX/SPX
   transport. Routable. NWNBLink adds a NetBIOS layer.
 - Novell NetWare ODI connectivity. Full support for IPXODI, monolithic
   IPX, and MSIPX (from WFW 3.1).
 - Universal Client Support. Can be configured using Windows network
   drivers to be a client only for all of the networks supported with
   Windows 3.1.
 - ADMINCFG: A utility for network administrators. Configures security and
   WFW 3.11 network settings for individual WFW 3.11 workstations remotely.
   Documented primarily in the Windows Resource Kit. Allows the disabling
   of file sharing, print sharing, and network DDE sharing.
 - Remote Access Service (RAS). Client software for dialing into a RAS
   server on a Windows NT or LAN Manager server. A Point-to-Point server
   for WFW computers was made available via download later. When a client
   dials into a Windows NT or LAN Manager RAS server, he or she has full
   connectivity into the network. If a client dials into the WFW Point-to-
   Point RAS server, he or she has connectivity to that computer only.
 - Real Mode Server for Workgroup Add-On for MS-DOS. Allows 8088/8086-based
   computers (and higher) to share their resources (usually as print
   servers). NOTE: The real-mode server is available only in Workgroup Add-
   On for MS-DOS.

Non-Network Features:

 - No Network option. WFW can be installed with no network support, much
   like Windows 3.1. Also, WFW 3.11 can be invoked without network
   components (with the WIN /N command) even though installed for a
   network.
 - Performance Enhancements (VFAT and VCACHE). WFW 3.11 includes VFAT, a
   32-bit file system that processes INT21h calls for file I/O on local
   disk volumes in protect mode. WFW 3.11 also includes a unified protect-
   mode cache, VCACHE, for both network files accessed by the network
   redirector and local files accessed through VFAT.
 - Microsoft At Work PC-Fax. Allows workstations to share fax modems to
   send and receive fax messages using the Microsoft Mail MAPI engine.
 - Enhanced Communication Architecture. The architecture of the
   communications interface is more modular. Its components are COMM.DRV,
   *VCD, VCOMM.386, SERIAL.386, and LPT.386. With this new modular design,
   vendors can write device-specific drivers for serial or LPT ports to
   interface with VCOMM.386. It uses the 32-bit interface directly with
   VCOMM.386.
 - New troubleshooting switches: WIN /D:C turns off 32-bit file access.
   WIN /D:T skips the *.386 drivers in the [386Enh] section of the
   SYSTEM.INI file.

Available Packages (SKUs)
-------------------------

 - Windows for Workgroups 3.11--full retail version (also used to upgrade
   over Windows 2.x and 3.0).
 - Workgroup Add-On for Microsoft Windows--upgrade over Windows 3.1 or WFW
   3.1 only.
 - Workgroup Add-On for MS-DOS--full retail version (also used to upgrade
   over Workgroup Connection 1.0).

Limitations
-----------

 - Real-mode server capabilities available only in Workgroup Add-On for
   MS-DOS, not in WFW 3.11.
 - VCACHE caches only local and network hard disks (no CD-ROM or floppy
   drives).
 - Standard mode not supported. 

Additional query words: 3.10 3.11 dates changes

Keywords :
Version : WINDOWS:3.1,3.11
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type :