Win3x.Org

Because people frequently wonder if their ancient computers are able to run a given Windows version, I decided to create that topic.

After spending a lot of time on Microsoft's website, I can list the system requirements for the early Windows operating systems. In standard (286) and enhanced (386) mode, Windows 3.x requires additional extended memory (beyond the first Megabyte) in addition to the conventional memory (the first 640 Kb).

Windows 1.01
x86 processor, 256 Kb of memory
Two floppy drives or a hard disk
MS-DOS 2.0 or higher

Windows 2.03
x86 processor, 512 Kb of memory
Two floppy drives or a hard disk
MS-DOS 3.0 or higher

Windows/286
x86 processor, 512 Kb of memory
Hard disk is a mandatory
MS-DOS 3.0 or higher

Windows/386
80386, 640 Kb of memory
Hard disk is a mandatory
MS-DOS 3.0 or higher

Windows 3.0
x86 processor and 640 Kb of memory
  > Standard mode: 80286, 640 Kb + 256 Kb
  > Enhanced mode: 80386, 640 Kb + 1024 Kb
6 Mb of free space on hard disk
MS-DOS 3.1 or higher

Windows 3.1
80286, 640 Kb + 256 Kb of memory
 > Enhanced mode: 80386, 640 Kb + 1024 Kb
8 Mb of free space on hard disk
MS-DOS 3.1 or higher

Windows for Workgroups 3.11
80386, 640 Kb + 2048 Kb of memory
10 Mb of free space on hard disk
MS-DOS 3.1 or higher

Windows NT 3.x
80386 25 MHz, 12 Mb of memory
90 Mb of free space on hard disk

Windows 95
80386DX, 4 Mb of memory
50 Mb of free space on hard disk

Windows NT 4.0
80486 25 MHz, 12 Mb of memory
120 Mb of free space on hard disk

Windows 98
80486DX2 66 MHz, 16 Mb of memory
200 Mb of free space on hard disk

***

These are the official recommendations. In contrast, a German website lists some "funny" experiences: http://winhistory.de/more/386/winq.htm

Winhistory, I've known that website since 2009...