Q&A for How to Install Windows 3.1

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

Why are there so many floppy disks?

Community Answer

A standard floppy disk only holds 1.44MB, which is not enough to hold the entire operating system, so it was split to several disks.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 14
Question

How do I shut down my computer using MS-DOS?

Community Answer

The command to shut down is "shutdown /s", to hibernate is "shutdown /h", and to restart is "shutdown /r".

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 8
Question

Why does this OS require 2 setups?

Community Answer

You cannot setup Windows 3.1 from Windows 10 due to compatibility issues, but, MS-DOS has been prepared for the compatibility issues.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 2
Question

How do I uninstall windows so that I only have DOS?

Community Answer

Install DOS to C:\Windows (DOS setup will overwrite C:\Windows if it does exist).

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Question

Can I download Windows 3.1 on a computer that was made for a different version? Also, can I download Windows 3.1 on a computer that already has Windows?

Arrogance

Top Answerer

You can download the installation files on any computer, including one that is running another version of Windows. Windows 3.1 will not work on newer computers; the directions are mostly useful to those with very old computers or those using an emulator or virtual machine, like VirtualBox.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

Could I get these disks in a virtual file like .iso or .img? If the answer is yes, where?

Arrogance

Top Answerer

Yes, you can use disk images, either made yourself or downloaded elsewhere. I do not know the legality of them, but WinWorld and The Internet Archive have had downloads of Windows 3.1 for years, with no attempt at removal by Microsoft. It is likely that they do not mind.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
Question

Do you have to login to Windows 3.1?

Arrogance

Top Answerer

Not normally. Windows 3.1 is a single-user operating system. There may be a login if you've installed client software for a network server, like Novell Netware.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

Can I install Windows 3.1 on my Windows XP computer, and do I need to install MS-DOS or partition the C drive to do so?

Acyclist

Top Answerer

To install Windows 3.1 on your Windows XP computer, use virtual machine software like VMware, VirtualBox, or VirtualPC 2007. This setup prevents compatibility issues and allows you to use both systems simultaneously. You need to install MS-DOS since Windows 3.1 runs on top of it, and you should partition the C drive within the virtual machine.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0