FixWindowsWindows 2.x

Windows 2.x: running programs and fixing common problems

Using overlapping windows in Windows 2.x, and fixes for Setup asking for disks, DOS version errors, memory errors, mouse and video problems in an emulator.

  • Updated
  • 10 min
  • Intermediate
Applies to
  • Windows 2000 and older

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What changed in Windows 2.x, and how to fix the problems people most often meet when running it in an emulator. Windows 2.x should already be installed; if not, start with Windows 2.x installation and setup.

Unsupported for decades

Windows 2.x receives no security updates and was never built for the modern internet. Use it offline in an emulator and keep it away from banking, email and personal files.

What is different from Windows 1.0

Windows 2.x lets windows overlap and be resized, and minimized programs appear as icons on the desktop. The words minimize and maximize replaced Windows 1.0's iconize and zoom. Windows/286 uses real mode, while Windows/386 runs Windows and DOS programs as separate tasks in virtual 8086 mode, so it can run several DOS programs at once. Windows/386 has no disk-based virtual memory, so all those programs must fit in physical memory.

Windows 2.x runs programs written for it, and it can also run some ordinary DOS programs.

Windows 2.x problems: fixes in orderA top-to-bottom flow chart with 6 boxes. Work through them in order and stop when the problem is fixed. The full text follows the picture.Windows 2.x problems: fixes inorderNo1Fix 1: Make the installfolder act as drive A2Fix 2: Report an olderDOS version to Windows3Fix 3: Add DOS=LOW formemory (HMA) errors4Does Windows start?Yes: You are done5Fix 4: Click the window tocapture the mouseStill stuck? Try the otheredition, Windows/286 orWindows/386.
Try them in order; each takes a few minutes.
Text version of this diagram
  1. Step 1: Fix 1: Make the install folder act as drive A
  2. Step 2: Fix 2: Report an older DOS version to Windows
  3. Step 3: Fix 3: Add DOS=LOW for memory (HMA) errors
  4. Question 4: Does Windows start? If yes: You are done. If no, go on to the next item.
  5. Step 5: Fix 4: Click the window to capture the mouse
  6. If nothing worked: Still stuck? Try the other edition, Windows/286 or Windows/386.

Try these fixes in order

Fix 1: Setup asks for disks you already copied

  1. Copy the disk contents into one folder, such as C:\INSTALL in the emulator.
  2. Make that folder behave like the floppy drive, then run Setup again. 
    SUBST A C:\INSTALL

Fix 2: Windows refuses to run on newer DOS

Windows 2.x will not run on MS-DOS 5.0 or later. In DOSBox-X, set ver=4.0 under the [dos] section of your configuration file. On a real or emulated DOS machine, load SETVER instead.

In DOSBox-X, running win386.exe gives an Unsupported DOS version error. Use WIN86.COM there. Full Windows/386 mode needs a real DOS installed in the emulated machine.

Fix 3: Memory errors on version 2.1x

Add DOS=LOW to the [config] section in DOSBox-X, or to CONFIG.SYS if you use real DOS inside the emulator. This is a setting inside the emulated machine and does not change your real computer.

Fix 4: Mouse and video

  1. Windows 2.x uses its own mouse driver chosen in Setup. By default, click inside the emulator window to capture the mouse.
  2. The scroll wheel is not supported.
  3. No drivers exist for modern graphics. Choose the VGA option, which gives 640 by 480 in 16 colors.

If it still does not work

Memory is limited to 1 MB in real mode. Neither edition works with DOS memory managers such as QEMM or CEMM, or with DOS extenders, so do not load them. If you have Windows/286 and Windows/386 copies, try the other one. For the bigger step forward, see Windows 3.x: installing programs and fixing common problems. Earlier problems are in Windows 1.0: running programs and fixing common problems.

Frequently asked questions

Why does Windows 2.x complain about my DOS version?

It needs MS-DOS 3.0 or higher but refuses to run on DOS 5.0 or later unless the reported DOS version is changed.

What is the difference between Windows/286 and Windows/386?

Windows/286 runs in real mode on 8088 and 80286 PCs. Windows/386 uses the 80386 to run DOS programs side by side.

Is Windows 2.x still supported?

No. It has had no updates for decades.

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