Microsoft Discontinues Windows 3.x

Microsoft has just put an end to Windows 3.x. As of November 1, 2008 Microsoft has stopped issuing licences for Windows 3.x, which debuted in May 1990.

 

The BBC reports that Microsoft maintained support for Windows 3.x until the end of 2001, but it lived on as an embedded operating system until this November. It was used in devices such as cash tills and ticketing systems.

It is also used as the embedded operating system that powers the in-flight entertainment systems on some Virgin and Qantas long-haul jets.

Windows 3.x required a 10MHz 8086/8088 processor, with 640K RAM, 7MB disk space, and a graphics card that supported CGA, EGA and VGA graphics.

in Comparison, Windows Vista Home Premium requires a 32-bit 1GHz processor, 1GB RAM, 40GB disk space, and a graphics card with at least 128MB of memory.

Mainstream support for Windows XP will continue until April 14, 2009; and extended support will continue until April 8, 2014.