How to run Windows 3.1 software nowadays?

TripleCStudios

Honorable
Dec 12, 2013
1
0
10,510
I recently bought a piece of software (Link ----->) (http://) that runs on Windows 3.1. I run Windows 7.. How do I get the software to run correctly? :??: Do I need to have Windows 3.1 installed?! :ouch:
 
Solution
Hi TripleCStudios,

Windows 7 64-bit cannot run 16-bit applications. You will need to install XP Mode to run a 3.1 application. If after installing XP Mode the application does not work, then try setting Compatibility Mode to Windows 95. Lastly if that does not work, you will need to install a stand alone Win 3.1 in a virtual environment.

XP Mode:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/install-and-use-windows-xp-mode-in-windows-7

Free VM Software:
http://www.xenproject.org/

Yimman

Yimman

Estimable
Dec 8, 2014
2
0
4,520
Hi TripleCStudios,

Windows 7 64-bit cannot run 16-bit applications. You will need to install XP Mode to run a 3.1 application. If after installing XP Mode the application does not work, then try setting Compatibility Mode to Windows 95. Lastly if that does not work, you will need to install a stand alone Win 3.1 in a virtual environment.

XP Mode:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/install-and-use-windows-xp-mode-in-windows-7

Free VM Software:
http://www.xenproject.org/

Yimman
 
Solution

Pinhedd

Distinguished
Moderator


Try Yimman's suggestion first. If that doesn't work, Windows 3.1 runs quite nicely inside of DOSBox. Keep in mind that DOSBox has a fair bit of CPU overhead (it's an emulator rather than a virtual machine) so performance may vary.