Brought to you by 
, webmaster of The 
Network.
Page Checked & Updated 1st June 2004
DOS Timeline ~ Part One ~ 1980 to 1993
A History of Microsoft MS-DOS and Windows (and its main competitors) on the 8086 Processor family
The Origins of MS-DOS ~ Articles by Tim Paterson, original author of DOS
NOTE - Other (minor) versions of
DOS & Windows exist, This list is based on major versions
plus items observed or reported
Updates other than NT Service Packs are available via the PowerLoad Resource Pages
Note - Any changes listed continue on to later versions:
�Month |
�Year |
�Version |
�Major Changes or Remarks |
| �December | �1980 | �QDOS |
�Microsoft
buys non-exclusive rights to market Pattersons Quick
& Dirty �Operating System from
Seattle Computer Products (Developed as 86-DOS) �(Which is a clone of Digital Researches CP/M in virtually every respect) |
| �July | �1981 | �86-DOS |
�Microsoft buys all rights to 86-DOS from Seattle Computer Products, and the �name MS-DOS is adopted for Microsoft's purposes and IBM PC-DOS for �shipment with IBM PCs ���(For Computers with the Intel 8086 Processor) |
| �Q3 | �1981 | �CP/M 86 |
�Digital Research release CP/M 86 for the Intel 8086 Processer |
| �Mid | �1981 | �PC-DOS 1.0 | �Pre-Release PC-DOS produced for IBM Personal Computers (IBM PC) �Supported 16K of RAM, ~ Single-sided 5.25" 160Kb Floppy Disk |
| �August | �1982 | �PC-DOS 1.1 | �OEM PC-DOS for IBM Corporation. (First Release Version) |
| �September | �1982 | �MS-DOS 1.25 | �OEM Version for Zenith Computer Corporation.. (Also known as Z-DOS) This �added support for Double-Sided 5.25" 320Kb Floppy Disks. Previously the disk �had to �be turned �over to �use the other side |
| �Q4 | �1982 | �CP/M Plus |
�Digital Research release CP/M Plus for the Intel 8086 Processer |
| �March | �1983 | �MS-DOS 2.0 | �OEM Version For Zenith - This added support for IBM's 10 MB Hard Disk, �Directories and Double-Density 5.25" Floppy Disks with capacities of 360 Kb |
| �March | �1983 | �PC-DOS 2.0 | �OEM PC-DOS for IBM Corporation. - �Released to support the IBM XT |
| �March | �1983 | �MS-DOS GUI | ��Microsoft first announces it intention to create a GUI �(Graphical User Interface) �for its existing MS-DOS Operating System. Microsoft also introduces its first �mouse, "The Microsoft Mouse", including card and software, for US$200. A �major tool in its GUI Development Program. (Windows is Born) |
| �November | �1983 | �MS-DOS 2.01 | �OEM Version for Wang Computer Corporation. |
| �November | �1983 | �PC-DOS 2.1 | �OEM PC-DOS for IBM Corporation. - �Released to support IBM PCjr PC |
| �November | �1983 | ��Microsoft Windows for MS-DOS |
�Microsoft formally announces Windows 1.0, but does not have a working �copy! �Microsoft shows Windows to IBM, but IBM is not interested in such an �unfinished product. |
| �November | �1983 | �Digital Research |
�Meanwhile, Digital Research debuts its GEM GUI for the IBM PC at Fall �COMDEX 1983, and also debuts its first multiuser and multitasking �version of �CP/M, Concurrent CP/M (MP/M) for the Intel-based IBM PC. |
| �December | �1983 | �MS-DOS 2.11 | �OEM Version for AT&T, Bull & Sony. - Support for foreign and extended �characters was added. |
| �Notes | �>>>> | �"DOS Menu" |
�There were also a number of Retail/Freeware Menu or Shell Programs �becoming �available �for DOS to help the novice user and shield him from the �'raw' command �line! Prompting Microsoft to speed up its GUI development work! |
| �Early | �1984 | �MS-DOS 2.25 | �OEM Version for Unknown Computer Manufacture. (Possibly Zenith) |
| �September | �1984 | �MS-DOS 3.0 | �OEM Version for Various Manufactures.- Support for High-Density 1.2 MB �Floppy Disks and 32 MB Hard Disks was added. - No extended partitions. |
| �September | �1994 | �PC-DOS 3.0 | �OEM PC-DOS for IBM Corporation |
| �November | �1984 | �MS-DOS 3.1 | �OEM Version for Various Manufactures. Network support was added. |
| �> | �1985 | �DOSPlus 1.0 | �Digital Research release DOSPlus 1.0 as a follow on from CP/M Plus |
| �March� | �1985 | �Dr GEM 1.1 | �A small number of Computer Manufactures start to bundle 'GEM' DOS �Manager by Digital Research (Who also published DR-DOS) It stands for �Graphical �Environment �Manager Details & History |
| �September | �1985 | �Dr GEM 1.2 | �Digital �Research release 'retail' GEM version 1.2 |
| �November | �1985 | �Microsoft Windows 1.01 |
�Microsoft announces the Retail shipment of Microsoft Windows, a GUI which �extends the features of the DOS operating system. Windows �provides users with �the ability to work with several programs at the same time and �easily switch �between them without having to quit and restart individual �applications.�(Retail �Price was US$99) Screenshots |
| �December� | �1985 | �PC-DOS 3.2 | �OEM PC-DOS for IBM Corporation. ~ Support for 3.5" LD 720Kb Floppy Disks |
| �> | �1986 | �DOSPlus 2.0 | �Digital Research release DOSPlus 2.0 - Forerunner to DrDOS |
| �> | �1986 | Dr�GEM |
�Amstrad & KayPro bundle 'GEM' software with MS-DOS 3.1 |
| �April | �1986 | �MS-DOS 3.2 | �First Retail Release of MS-DOS ~ Support for 3.5" LD 720Kb Floppy Disks |
| �August� | �1986 | �Windows 1.03 | �Microsofts second release, - MS-DOS version 3.2 support added |
| �January | 1987� |
�Windows DDL Volume 1 |
�Microsoft Windows
Device Driver Library Volume 1 �Additional support for display devices, printers, and pointing devices added |
| �April | �1987 | �OS/2 |
�Microsoft announces MicroSoft Operating System/2 (MS OS/2) a new personal �computer operating system. It has been designed and developed specifically to �harness the capabilities of personal computers based upon the Intel 80286 and �80386 microprocessors. This is the first product to be announced as a result of the �Joint �Development Agreement between IBM and Microsoft announced in August �1985. �- �Intended Replacement for MS-DOS |
| �April | �1987 | �Windows 1.04 | �- IBM Personal System/2 support added |
| �April | �1987 | �MS-DOS 3.21 | �OEM Version for Kaypro & Zenith Computer Corporations. (And others) |
| �April | �1987 | �MS-DOS 3.3 | �MS-DOS 3.3 introduces support for more than one logical drive per hard disk. �Logical drives are treated as completely separate disks under MS-DOS, even �though they may occupy the same physical hard disk. Plus 3.5" HD 1.44MB�Floppy Disk Support + Real Time Support for the �'new' CMOS clock |
| �April | �1987 | �PC-DOS 3.3 | �OEM PC-DOS for IBM Corporation. Added support for PS/2 Computers |
| �April | �1987 | �MS OS/2 - 1.0 |
�Microsoft & IBM
OS/2 Version 1.0 Released �Click here for OS/2 History, Sub-Versions and Resources |
| �Mid | �1987 | �DOSPlus 2.1 | �Digital Research release DOSPlus 2.1 - Last release before DrDOS 3.31 |
| �October | �1987 | �MS LAN Manager |
�Microsoft releases LAN Manager, (Local Area Network) a LAN operating �system add-on that runs on both �MS-DOS and OS/2. |
| �November � | �1987 | �Windows 2.0 | �Microsoft releases Microsoft Windows 2.03 (Retail Packaging however may show �it as Windows 2.0) offering compatibility with �existing �Windows applications and �a �new visual appearance compatible with Microsoft �OS/2 Presentation Manager. �In addition to the new visual appearance, �it uses a �system of overlapping �windows, rather than tiled windows. Windows �2.03 also includes significant �performance enhancements and improved support for expanded memory �hardware. Screenshots |
| �> | �1988 | �Windows/286� | �Version 2.03 ~ When Windows/386 was released, Microsoft renamed Windows �2.03 to Windows/286 (For the Intel 286) for version consistency, And labelled all �further production accordingly. However it was not replaced by Windows/386, As �both versions were aimed at different processors. Therefore Version 2.03 can be �found labelled under both descriptions. |
| �February | �1988 | �MS-DOS 3.3Plus | �Extended MS-DOS for Selected OEMs |
| �March | �1988 | �MS-DOS 3.3T | �Modified MS-DOS 3.3 for Tandy (Radio Shack) Computers as TandyDOS |
| �April | �1988 | �MS-DOS 3.31 | �Extended Version for Various OEM Manufactures. |
| �May > | �1988 | �DrDOS 3.3x | �Digital Research release DrDOS 3.31 (No version 3.0 �recorded) followed �by a series of OEM �versions. �3.32, 3.33, 3.34, 3.35, 3.40, 3.41 & 3.42 �Some releases include a version of GEM Desktop (Called ViewMAX) |
| �July | �1988 | �MS-DOS 4.0 | �This version provided XMS support, support for partitions on hard disks up to �2.10 �GB and a graphical shell. ~ It also contained a large number of bugs and �many �programs refused to run on it. |
| �July | �1988 | �PC-DOS 4.0� | �OEM PC-DOS for IBM Corporation. (IBM buy rights to future versions of PC-DOS) |
| �August� | �1988 | �Windows/286 | ��Version 2.10 ~ Intel 286 Optimised Edition |
| �August | �1988 | �Windows/386 | ��Version 2.10 ~ Intel 386 Optimised Edition (Introduces HIMEM.SYS Driver) |
| �October | �1988 | �MS OS/2 1.10 | �Microsoft and IBM announce the delivery of the jointly developed �Operating �System/2 (OS/2) 1.1 with Presentation Manager. Presentation Manager �is the �graphical user interface (GUI) for the OS/2 operating system. This is the �second �major release of the Standard Edition of OS/2. (LAN version also released) |
| �November | �1988 | �MS-DOS 4.01 | �Major Bug Fix for MS-DOS 4.0 (Core Files almost completely rewritten) |
| �November | �1988 | �PC-DOS 4.01� | �Major Bug Fix for PC-DOS 4.0 |
| �December | �1988 | �DrDOS 4.41 | �Digital Research release DrDOS 4.41 (No Version 4.0 released!) |
| �March | �1989 | �Windows/286 | �Version 2.11 ~ Intel 286 Optimised Edition |
| �March | �1989 | �Windows/386 | �Version 2.11 ~ Intel 386 Optimised Edition |
| �April | �1989 | �MS-DOS 4.01a | �Minor update to MS-DOS 4.01 to include better support as Larger Hard Drives �become available. A File Update is also released to support MS-DOS�4.01 |
| �April | �1989 | �Dr GEM 3.13 | �Last retail release of GEM by Digital Research |
| �April | �1989 | �MS OS/2 - 1.10EE | �Microsoft and IBM OS/2 1.10 Extended Edition released, with LAN Manager. |
| �June� | �1989 | �IBM OS/2 - 1.20 |
�IBM OS/2 1.20 released. |
| �May | �1990 | �Windows 3.0 | �Microsoft announces the immediate, worldwide availability of Microsoft Windows �3.0, This version offers dramatic performance increases for Windows �applications, advances in ease of use and �aesthetic appeal, and straightforward �integration into corporate computing �environments Network Drivers also made �available.��Screenshots ��IBM start to offer Windows 3.0 as a PS/2 Option |
| �May | �1990 | �DrDOS 5.0 | �Digital Research release DrDOS 5.0 - First Retail Version |
| �September | �1990 | � | �IBM and Microsoft agree to end their development relationship. |
| �April | �1991 | �IBM OS/2 - 1.30 | �IBM OS/2 1.30 released. |
| �October | �1991 | �Windows 3.0a | �Maintenance Release of Windows 3.0 focusing on specific problems |
| �April | �1991 | �MS-DOS 5.0 | �This was a major upgrade. It allowed parts of DOS to load itself in the high �memory area and certain device drivers and TSRs to run in the unused parts of the �upper memory area between 640K and 1024K. This version also added support �for IBM's new 2.88 MB floppy disks. An improved BASIC interpreter and text �editor were included, as was a disk cache, an undelete utility and a Hard Disk �partition-table backup program . After the problems with MS-DOS 4, it also �provided a utility to make programs think they were running on a different version �of MS-DOS.(SETVER) ~ Restores confidence in DOS after �v4.x �disaster. |
| �June� | �1991 | �DrDOS 6.0 | �Digital Research release DrDOS 6.0 Adds disk compression, disk optimizer, etc. |
| �June | �1991 | �PC-DOS 5.0 | �IBM PC-DOS 5.0 |
| �June | �1991 | �MS-DOS 5UG | �MS-DOS 5.0 Upgrade Edition for all earler versions (First Upgrade Version) |
| �October | �1991 | �Windows�3.0 with Multimedia Extensions Version 1.0 |
�OEM Windows 3.0 with MultiMedia Extensions v1.0. �This version of Windows �was�probably a�standard version of Windows 3.0a and Microsoft Multimedia �Extensions Version 1.0 being �released as an OEM Multimedia CD-ROM only. �IBM list Windows 3.0 MM as an option for PS/2 Computers |
| �Notes | 1991 |
�Tandy Modular Windows |
�Tandy Modular Windows was an OEM Special GUI for Tandy Corp.'s Video �Information System (VIS) Multimedia Player. It was essentially a Windows 3.0 �Core Program, But �without any Microsoft Desktop Accessories, Drivers, or a �number of other features. (Not to be confused with Windows 3.0 MultiMedia) |
| �Q3 | �1991 | Windows NT Program |
�New Technology Development Program - NT Operating System was first �intended to be based on OS/2 Technology but was later changed to Windows |
| �Q4 | �1991 | �MS-DOS 5.Oa | �This was a minor update for MS-DOS 5.0 which dealt with possibly catastrophic �problems with UNDELETE and CHKDSK. A File Update �is also released |
| �Q4 | �1991 | �MS-DOS 5aUG | �Replaces MS-DOS 5.0 Upgrade (Details as for MS-DOS 5.0a) |
| �February | �1992 | �PC-DOS 5.0.1 | �PC-DOS 5.0 Rev 1 (Possibly an update for same reason as MS-DOS 5.0a) |
| �April | �1992 | �Windows 3.1 | �Microsoft ships Microsoft Windows 3.1 with over 1,000 enhancements. The new �version created unprecedented user demand with over one million advance orders �placed worldwide. ~ 386 Enhanced Mode with minimum 4MB RAM - Operates �in Standard Mode with 2MBs - Added support for Truetype Fonts �Screenshots |
| �April | �1992 | �Win 3.1UG | �Windows 3.1 Upgrade for Windows 3.0 Users. (Full Version marked Upgrade!) |
| �June | �1992 | IBM OS/2 - 2.0 |
�IBM OS/2 version 2.0 released. (Microsoft withdraws support for OS/2) |
| �September | �1992 | �PC-DOS 5.0.2 | �PC-DOS 5.0 Rev 2 - To correct errors with Windows 3.1 (EMM386.EXE) |
| �October | �1992 | �Windows for Workgroups 3.1 (WfWG 3.1) |
�Microsoft announces the worldwide availability of Microsoft Windows for �WorkGroups 3.1 (WfWG) which integrates networking and workgroup �functionality �directly �into Windows 3.1. The product allows common activities of �sending �electronic �mail, scheduling group meetings, sharing files and printers, �managing �calendars, and �working together on groups projects. It can provide �networking �capabilities on its �own, or it can be used as a client on an existing �local area �network. Screenshots (Unlike NT, WfWG is still a MS-DOS GUI) |
| �October | �1992 | �WfWG31AD | �Windows for Workgroups 3.1 Add-On for MS-DOS Users |
| �October | �1992 | �WfWG31AW | �WfWG 3.1 Add-On for Windows Users - This package is for machines that �already �have Windows version 3.1 installed. It upgrades Windows by �adding �those files required for the new features �of WfWG 3.1 (Uses Compliance Checking)�� |
| �Q4� | �1992 | �WindowsNT BETA |
�Windows New Technology - First BETA Testing of Windows NT ~ Microsofts �first true 32bit Operating System. |
| �March | �1993 | �MS-DOS 6.0 | �This was a catch-up with Novell's DR-DOS 6. It added a disk-compression utility �called DoubleSpace, a basic anti-virus program and a disk defragmenter. It also �finally included a MOVE command, an improved backup program, MSBACKUP �and multiple boot configurations. Memory management was also improved by the �addition of MEMMAKER. A number of older utilities, such as JOIN and �RECOVER were removed. However DOSSHELLwas still included. |
| �March | �1993 | �MS-DOS6UG | �MS-DOS 6.0 Upgrade Edition for all earler versions from 3.3 onwards. |
| �March | �1993 | �6.0 Supplemental | �Microsoft released a Supplemental Update of Earler Files removed from v6.0 |
| �May | �1993 | �Windows for PEN �Computing 3.1 |
�Microsofts first attempt at a GUI for Palm and Organiser type small computers. It �used a cut down version of MS-DOS 6.0 & Windows 3.1 with a PEN Driver Set. |
| �Note | �1993 | �Dr PalmDOS | �Digital Research base their PalmDOS on CP/M with GEM ViewMAX |
| �June� | �1993 | �PC-DOS 6.1 | �IBM starts to number PC-DOS in series with MS-DOS |
| �Q3 | �1993 | �NovellDOS 7.0 | �DrDOS sold to Novell who release it as NovellDOS 7.0 with NetWare |
| �July | �1993 | �WindowsNT 3.1 | �Windows NT - Designed for Business & Networking Use - Not dependent on �MS-DOS - Uses its own NTFS Bootstrap to install. (Released on 3.5" Disks) ��Link Site Abandoned - New Screenshots to Follow |
�> |
�> |
�Windows NT Service Packs |
�After the release of NT 3.1 Microsoft began a series of Service Pack Releases, �which included Updates, Patchs as well as New or Updated Network Drivers. The Last �known Service Pack for Windows NT 3.1 was SP-3 (Dated October 1994) |
| �November | �1993 | �MS-DOS 6.2 | �Extra security was built into DoubleSpace following complaints of data loss. �A �new disk checker, SCANDISK, was also introduced, as well as improvements to �DISKCOPY and SmartDrive (DOSSHELL was removed to the�Supplemental Disk Set) |
| �November | �1993 | �MS-DOS62UG | �MS-DOS 6.2 Upgrade Edition for all earler versions from 3.3 onwards. |
| �November | �1993 | �MS-DOS62SU | �MS-DOS 6.2 Step-Up for 6.0 Users Only (MS-DOS Step-Up differs from �Upgrade in that it is limited to earler 6x versions only and contains file updates not �complete copies of application files other than IO.SYS & MSDOS.SYS) |
| �November | �1993 | �6.2 Supplemental | �Microsoft released a Supplemental Update of Earler Files removed from v 6.2 �Including DOSSHELL which was removed from 6.2 & later versions. |
| �December | �1993 | �Windows for Workgroups 3.11 (WfWG 3.11) |
�WfWG 3.11 contains the complete software package for machines that do not �have Windows Operating System version 3.0 or 3.1. It contains all the WfWG �software, including Windows 3.1 functionality, file sharing, printer sharing, �network dynamic data exchange (DDE), �Microsoft Mail, Microsoft Schedule+, �Microsoft At Work PC Fax, Remote Access Services, 32-bit file and disk �access, and advanced security. Screenshots |
| �December | �1993 | �WfWG311AD | �WfWG 3.11 Add-On for MS-DOS Users. |
| �December | �1993 | �WfWG311AW | �WfWG 3.11 Add-On for Windows Users -This package is for machines that �already have Windows or WfWG version 3.1 installed. It �upgrades Windows or �WfWG 3.1 by adding those files required for the new features of WfWG 3.11. |
| �December | �1993� | �MSClient 3.0 | �Microsoft Client for MS-DOS version 3.0 (Network Add-On for MS-DOS) � |
| �December | �1993 | �Windows 3.11 | �With WfWG Compatable Core Files, SVGA & updated drivers Screenshots �Windows 3.11 was never marketed as such, It is a Service Release of Windows �3.1 only - The only way to check you have it was to click the 'About' Box |
| �December | �1993 | �Win31 Updates | �Microsoft also made available 2 updates for Windows 3.1 to bring it upto �Windows 3.11 standard ~ 3.11 Core Files and SVGA Driver Updates. |
| �December� | �1993 | �PC-DOS 6.3 | �Replaces PC-DOS 6.1 |
Goto DOS TimeLine Part Two ~ 1994 to XP
All Copyrights, Tradenames and Trademarks used in this TimeLine are registered or used by their respective owners.
Contents Copyright - M
Comerford ~ PowerLoad 1999-2005 All rights reserved
