Running a Windows 3.1 VM in Virtualbox
18#VirtualBox #RetroOperatingSystems #VMs
Full steps can be found at https://i12bretro.github.io/tutorials/0068.html
01. Download MS-DOS 6.22 https://winworldpc.com/product/ms-dos/622
02. Download Microsoft Windows 3.1 https://winworldpc.com/product/windows-3/311
03. Extract the MS-DOS 6.22 and Windows 3.1 files
04. Launch Virtualbox
05. Create a New VM by selecting Machine ≫ New
Name: Microsoft Windows 3.1
Machine Folder: C:\VMs
Type: Microsoft Windows
Version: Windows 3.1
Memory Size: 256 MB
Hard disk: Create a virtual hard disk now
06. Click Create
07. On the Create Virtual Hard Disk dialog
Name the virtual disk image Microsoft Windows 3.1.vdi
File size: 1 GB
Hard disk file type: VDI
Storage on physical hard disk: Dynamically Allocated
08. Click Create
09. Select the VM and Click Settings
10. Select Storage
11. Click on the floppy disk drive
12. Select the disc dropdown to the right ≫ Choose a virtual floppy disk file...
13. Browse to the extracted MS-DOS 6.22 files and select Disk1.img
14. Click OK
15. Make sure the Windows 3.1 VM is selected and click Start ≫ Normal
16. Press Enter to start the installation and press Enter multiple times to accept the default values
17. When prompted by the installer, go to the VM settings and swap out the MS-DOS disk images and press Enter to continue
18. Once MS-DOS has been successfully installed, select Devices ≫ Floppy Drives ≫ Choose disk image...
19. Navigate to the extracted Windows 3.1 files and select DISK1.img
20. Press Enter in the VM
21. Once MS-DOS has booted, type the following commands
A:
setup
22. The Windows 3.1 installation process will start
23. Press Enter to continue
24. Press Enter to begin the installation
25. When prompted by the installer, go to the VM settings and swap out the Window 3.1 disk images and press Enter to continue
26. When prompted, enter a name and click Continue
27. Click Continue to confirm the name
28. Click Cancel on the Printer Installation dialog
29. Click OK on the Setup Applications dialog
30. Click Skip Tutorial
31. Select Devices ≫ Floppy Drives ≫ Remove disk from virtual drive
32. Click Reboot
33. Once MS-DOS has booted, type the following commands
win
34. Welcome back to Windows 3.1
35. Launch Accessories ≫ Notepad
36. Select File ≫ Open
37. Navigate to the root of the C: drive and open autoexec.bat to edit it
38. Add win to the bottom of the file to automatically boot Windows 3.1 on system startup
39. Select File ≫ Save
40. Select Machine ≫ Reset ≫ Reset
41. Revel in the nostalgia
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