Hi I wonder what WFW - Windows for Workgroups is? is WFW the samething as Windows 3.11? What's the difference? Is there any OS called Windows for Workgroups or is it just a addon/plus pack to Windows 3.11

WFW is plain old Windows 3.1 but it features networking software that allows multiple computers to connect together and share resources. Home users, of course, didn't need networking software so this was Microsofts attempt to get business to purchase it's software for networking purposes. WFW was it's own release. It isn't an add-on to Win3.1 Of course, they're almost identical except for the networking software but it wasn't sold as an add-on pack to Win3.1 It was a separate purchase. And no it wasn't an operating system. You still needed to boot up using DOS 6.22 or older before WFW could load.

You are right to say that Windows for Workgoups 3.11 (There was also a WfWG version 3.1) is the Network version of Windows 3.1 (There is also a Windows version 3.11) The major differance being extended drivers for networking, plus a few other tweacks. There is no advantage to running WfWG 3.11 than Windows 3.11 on a single PC. However you are wrong in saying that it was only sold as a Full Package. There is/was also a Windows for Workgroups Add-On for Windows 3.1 and Add-On for MS-DOS (Basically a full copy of WfWG labelled as an Add-On) *See my Microsoft TimeLine at: www.powerload.fsnet.co.uk And yes all versions of Windows 3.x need DOS installed onto your computers hard disk first! Any Version of DOS from 5.0 will do. (MS-DOS 5.0,6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22 - IBM PC-DOS 5.0,6.1,6.3,7.0 or 2000 - Even DR-DOS) It is however always best to use the latest version available. MS-DOS 6.22 being the most commen platform, as OEMs supplied both with many new machines! Some even supplied WfWG as standard.

mea culpa

I had a list of differences, but I seem to have misplaced it. Take my word for it, the differences between Windows and Windows for Workgroups are extreme. WfW is way way faster and it has many additional features.

Yes but how many are relevant in everyday use, without a network. The only real advantage is 32bit Disk Access. But you also need more memory. Which was lacking in some older machines. The later Windows 3.11 (Without networking) is just as good, but without the rubbish!

Response two is absolutely correct. Response four is also correct if hardware supported the additional features for 32-bit flie access otherwise there isn't that much in it on hardware that doesn't.