I'm having a conversation with people on another site about MS Windows being released as Public Domain. Is this true? Also there was mention of it being available as sharewhare. My understanding it is neither. Thanks for your input.

My understanding is the same. Neither. I have not seen anything that says otherwise.

Many consider it "abandonware" but i know lots of people who consider kazaa a file "sharing" app :).

Personally, I consider it abandonware as it is noo longer supported by Microsoft in any form. Windows 95 (all releases), Windows NT 3.51, Windows NT 3.5, Windows NT 3.1 are all no longer supported by Microsoft at all, and live support for Windows 98 and Windows 98 SE will end from microsoft on June 30, 2003 at 23:59:59. After this date, it will only be supported by offering Windows Update, and KB articles. No new fixes will be issued for this OS after this date on Windows Update.

I agree with K-semler. I now consider Windows 95 and older abandonware. If Microsoft doesnt support it anymore, why would pc users still have to buy Windows 95 and older anymore? This goes along with other software like Office 4.3 I consider abandonware too.

That's right. If you can't find it in stores and Microsoft doesn't support it -- why would they care?

Your right but they still do care cause they want you to use there so called new & improved software & not there old stuff. It's all because of the almighty dollar.

Yeah, but if majority of people would download Windows 3.xx and hate it when they had installed it. If you put on your site a link to Microsoft and said like "Get the NEW windows xp" or something like that, they might do that :)

"MS Windows being released as Public Domain. Is this true?"

Not a chance. Billy G will never let you have his older Win versions for free...

"Personally, I consider it abandonware as it is no longer supported by Microsoft in any form."

"I agree with K-semler. I now consider Windows 95 and older abandonware."

Heh... Problem is, Micro$oft doesn't care what you consider it. They still "consider" it copyrighted, which makes it illegal to distribute it freely. M$ is planning to dump support for the old systems, but not release'em for free so they can try to force you to buy the new junk, that way Mr Gates can continue to load up his wallet. They may have been "abandoned" in terms of support, but they aren't free by any means.

Which is all pretty stupid, since releasing Windows 3.1x as freeware wouldn't cut into there profits. There aren't too many people who would decide not to buy XP just because they can get 3.1 for free. Win 95 might be slightly different on that. Besides, Apple lets people freely download older versions of their OS. I wish Billy would take a hint. But no, he's got to try to squeeze every dollar he can out of us...

I'm not against MS making a buck. Its the whole comp. industry that's relying on the comsumers to upgrade all the time and fall for the marketing crap. In the end its more kit to run Linux on anyway :). It appears volume "downgrade licencing still aplies to win 3.x-http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/desktop/business/notes.mspx

They should release 95 and 3.1 as freeware. Do they want me to upgrade my 386 laptop to XP?

No, you can get XP and "downgrade".

So since I have a liscence to use Windows 3.1, 95 OSR 2.1, 98SE, ME, 2000 (Pro and Adv. Server), XP (Home and Pro), and Windows Server 2003 RC2 (Enterprize Edition), does that mean I can get MS to ship me Windows 1.00 for nothing?

Ooh wish, looks like the win 3.1 is the lowest ya can go falla ;)

Crap, I would love to have that on the original media. I could sell it on Ebay for $500.00 using the headline WINDOWS 1.0 1985 Original Release, MINT CONDITION. Would they send me Windows 95 OSR 2.5?

(The first version to intigrate IE and active desktop into the explorer shell. Also had better USB support than OSR 2.1. Released shortly before Windows 98 FE went RTM.)

Win95c? Why don't you ask? Quote the link I gave and see what happens. I guess 1 copy isn't "volume licencing" Btw I have a licenced copy of all win95s including OSR 2.5.

Good idea. Tomorrow before work I will call MS and hope that they will send me Windows 95c. That is a version I would really like to have.

They'll never do that. They don't support it!

"No, you can get XP and "downgrade"."

You still don't have a license for Win31 then, though. ;)

KDog849

Actually, I do have a lisence for Windows 3.11 For Workgroups. In fact, I have one of the boxs still factory sealed. It only cost me $5.99 at good will, but I want Windows 95c and Windows 1.00 on original media for collection purposes.

It's funny the things one collects. I've managed to get OS/2 v2 thru v3 blue spine connect. MS windows 3.1 tru wfw 3.11, os/2 v4(would like a box set though) on an Australian PC mag cdrom that also had RH Linux 6.2 and BeOs PE. Various dos's(PC,Dr, Novell, MS from PC-Dos 4 up to MS Dos 6.22. Some other older boxed Linux distros(starting from RH 5.2) too. Try to just keep one copy of each. Still have two sealed copies of wfw 3.11 upgrade which are just plain wfw 3.11 with a different sticker on disk one(install without any previous windows whatever)

Here is a list of the OS's I have. I will place a (legal) next to the ones I actually have a lisence to use. (and yes I have used every single one of these, regardless of the lisence status.)

Microsoft DOS 4.01
Microsoft DOS 3.30a
Microsoft DOS 5.00
Microsoft DOS 6.00
Microsoft DOS 6.20
Microsoft DOS 6.21
Microsoft DOS 6.22 With supplimental disk (legal)
IBM PC DOS 2000
DR-DOS 7.03 (legal)
Micosoft Windows 1.01
Microsoft Windows 1.04
Microsoft Windows 2.11
Microsoft Windows 3.0a
Microsoft Windows 3.1
Microsoft Windows 3.11 (legal)
Microsoft Windows Chicago Biuld 122
Microsoft Windows Chicago Biuld 189
Microsoft Windows 95 Original Release
Microsoft Windows OSR 2.1 (legal)
Microsoft Windows 98 SE (legal)
Microsoft Windows ME (legal)
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional (legal)
Microsoft Windows 2000 Adv. Server (legal)
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (legal)
Microsoft Windows XP Proffesional (legal)
Microsoft Windows Enterprize Server 2003 RC2 (legal)
Linux RedHat 7.3 Standard (legal)
SuSE Linux 8.0 Personal (legal)
Linux Mandrake 8.1 Download Edition (legal)
Linux Mandrake 8.2 Professional (legal)

I almost forgot these ones:

IBM OS/2 2.1
IBM OS/2 Warp 3
IBM OS/2 Warp 4

Cool. I also have legal copies of geoworks pro(installed on my 286) and New Deal Office 3 with 3.2a update discs. Did you get your Chicargo builds off Nathen's Toasty Tech. site?

Hey, k_semler, you mentioned having Windows Server 2003 RC2. Just curious, what's that like? And would you know where I might see some screenshots?

K-selmer, I picked up Windows95C at a Computer GoodWill store here in it's original sleeve with the product ID# for $4.95+tax. I sent it to a friend in England for his "collection". I found it in a stand alone cd rack just mixed in with all the other old software, so keep your eyes peeled. I'm sure there are more out there. It has a blue label with a clear plastic sleeve.

I have owned legally:

Windows 95 OEM (OSR 2(b))
Windows 98 SE and 98
Anyway to those sote hosrting wqindowsveesrsion-make sure that the page says yiu need to have a luxense to usethem-like m. k_semler-your post aboyut support is incorrect: 30/6/03 is when horfixs for 998/98sde end-not support for it-supports goes next year simethi,es-totally in 2005.

I have only three Win95 versions. One is upgrade cd, one is a full cd (just says win95; what version is this?), and the floppy disk version.

KDog849

I got my copies of chicago on www.osbetaarchive.com. The copy of biuld 122 only will start in safe mode, and because of this, it cannot do many things. However biuld 189 works as well as a beta OS will, I just wish that they would have kept the startup screen from the chicago series in the final Windows 95 release.

I am still looking for Rhapsody DR-2 for Ix86 based platforms. This was a very early beta of OSX Server that ran on intel hardware. I have emailed the owner of ToastyTech several times, but I keep on getting my Email bounced for some reason, and I have yet to get through to him.

Windows Server 2003 is a pretty decent OS. I have yet to uncover any severe bugs with this release. I ordered it directly through MS in thier customer preview program, and I have a version for Ix86 and Itanium processors. I was of course sent a key along with the kit, but I also have a key that was provided to me on windowsbeta.microsoft.com, so I have 2 keys and each key will activate on 10 seperate installations. So I have 20 activations that I can legally use. Realistically, I could run this OS for 20 years, as it has an exiration date of 360 days after installation. It is actually even a decent preformer as a desktop OS. I have reactivated video acceleration, and installed WMP9 final, and DirectX 9.0. The .NET framework was somewhat outdated, so I installed version 1.1 with SP2. I have also disabled the shutdown tracker, and enabled sound and theming support. This OS could be compared to Windows XP with all the tweaks. Just as responsive, and more stable.

I can upload some screenshots to my site tommorrow, because I will have to install it first. Right now I only have Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1a installed.

And in my defence:
"...and live support for Windows 98 and Windows 98 SE will end from microsoft on June 30, 2003 at 23:59:59. After this date, it will only be supported by offering Windows Update, and KB articles. No new fixes will be issued for this OS after this date on Windows Update." (Empasis Added).

"k_semler-your post aboyut support is incorrect: 30/6/03 is when horfixs for 998/98sde end-not support for it-supports goes next year simethi,es-totally in 2005."

If you re-read what I have stated, you will find that I indeed did state that only KB articles and old hotfixes will be available after this date. What I was not clear on was that you still can get live support from MS for this OS if you are willing to pay for it the 2 free support calls must be used before this date, or they are lost and you must pay for support.

However the date may change. Windows 98 is currently the most popular OS that is online to date. It could end up being a repeat of what happened with Windows NT 4.0, the EOL date could be moved back one year.

Great, I'd like to see those screenshots. You wouldn't happen to be able to post the Chicago start-up screen, would you? I've never seen that.

I can Email you the Chicago biuld 122 boot disk, since when it starts, it will show you the bootscreen that comes with Chicago. I will install WS 2003 tonight, and post the screenshots tomorrow.

I have proof that I'm correct on 98/98se lifecxyclw:
see:http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20030307S0018/1

Great! The email address on my last post was incorrect, but I've updated it so it should show up right on this post. I look forward to seeing both the screenshots and the startup screen. Thanks!

Here is a direct link to a Windows Chicago Bootscreen Biuld 79.

http://www.geocities.com/k_semler2002/chicagobootup.png

It's giving me a "Page Not Available" error... Nuts... I'll try it again later.

Hello! Greetings and Salutations! (ok enuff of that now...)

I have a few questions/queries, does anyone know where I can get the following two?:
Micosoft Windows 1.01 (or 1.04)
Microsoft Windows Chicago (any build)
I have tried ebay but to no avail, also, what is "Microsoft Windows OSR 2.1" im guessing its not part of the NT series, but I have never heard of a window 2.x (though it seems logical there should be one...) Thanx,
Spinal
P.S. if u have one of these (legal or not) PLEASE contact me, I am willing to buy these off you!

Forgot 2 things! First and foremost, my email add where ppl can contact me. (papumd@blueyonder.co.uk, an add created just so that i can have it flood with spam within a week :p)Secondly, this link, where you can find just about any antique OS ur heart desires and ANY ms serial, (well, nearly any). Thanks to whoever posted it in some other forumn!

http://k-semler.filetap.com/

Final multi-post, im just amazed at the site, but sadly, the link for chicago doesn't work... :'(... If anyone has a copy of ANY MS-DOS or MS OS please contact me. If I don't have it, I will be willing to buy it off you (legally or not)
Spinal

So does anyone actually know where I can download a fully working version of Windows 3.11 for Workgroups. E-mail it to me if you must.