Windows 1.0 Beta Release

Windows 1.0 Beta Release is a pre-release build of Windows 1.0, compiled on 8 May 1985. It includes an updated RTM-like installer, mostly finalized UI, color support on the IBM PC and additional applications, alongside redesigns of existing ones from the Alpha. Source code and documentation for the developers was moved to a separate package called the "Software Development Kit" (SDK).
This build was possibly also released for various non-PC-compatible machines, such as Zenith Z-100 and RM Nimbus PC-186, although this has not been fully confirmed yet. For the latter, former RM employee Bob Richmond wrote on his blog:
This build was uploaded to the BetaArchive FTP on 19 September 2008.https://www.betaarchive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5640
== Installation ==
Before running the setup, it is recommended to create the directory which Windows would be installed to, as there is a chance that setup fails to create the directory. For high-resolution color EGA mode, select "Enhanced Graphics Monitor with Enhanced Display" during Setup.
This beta will run on the following operating systems:
* MS-DOS 2.x / 3.x / 5.0 / 6.x
* PC-DOS 2.x or 3.x
For MS-DOS 5.0 or 6.x, run: SETVER WIN100.EXE 3.30 before loading Windows. For DOSBox, run ver set 3 30. Failure to do this can result in the build crashing on startup.
==Bugs==
===Printer installation===
When setup says that the key can be pressed to not install any printers on the printer selection screen, just pressing on the keyboard does not work. Pressing (capital Q) is needed to skip printer installation.
===Clock problems===
When closing the About dialog of the Clock application, Windows crashes with a stack overflow error. Clock's icon in the icon area appears different than in both earlier and later builds, the overall background is transparent, the live clock image is placed on top and a thin black square border can be seen at the top and bottom of the icon.
==Interesting findings ==
=== Double click to close a window===
The option to double-click on the system box to close a window has not been implemented yet, so one must open the system menu and choose the "Close" option to quit applications.
===File associations in WIN.INI ===
Although Calendar is a simple floating date picker in this build, it's associated with .CAL files. This suggests a more advanced Calendar like the one in later builds was already in development at this point but left out.
The Terminal application is not included with this build, but is associated with .TRM files. Much like the above case with Calendar, this suggests the Terminal application was already in development but not included with this build. The file extension for Cardfile files is .IDX in this build. In later builds it was changed to .CRD.
===Color scheme===
Despite the fact that this build officially introduced color support on the IBM PC as it includes drivers for color EGA display modes, the default color scheme remains monochrome. The user can manually add colors to the color scheme in the Control Panel. Applications use various background colors regardless of the system color scheme.
===About dialogs===
This is the first leaked build where applications feature an About dialog with copyright and version information. However, at this point the overall design of this dialog has not been standardized yet, as different applications display different strings there. Calculator, Clock and Reversi say "Version 1.00" and "April 1985", MS-DOS Executive and Cardfile say only "Beta Release", Control Panel and Notepad say only "Version 1.00", while Paint says "Beta Version, 5/6/85".
==Gallery==
Win10betasetup1.png|Setup
Win10betasetup2.png|Floppy disk or hard disk?
Win10betasetup3.png|How setup will install Windows
Win10betasetup5.png|Directory confirmation
Win10betasetup6.png|Desktop Applications disk
Win10betasetup7.png|Utilities disk
Win10betasetup8.png|Reading necessary files from the Utilities disk
Win10betasetup9.png|GPU selection
Win10betasetup10.png|Setting up Windows on the HDD
Win1.00 Beta boot.png|Boot screen
Win1.00 Beta action.png|About MS-DOS Executive
Windows1.0-Beta-Non-VGA.png|Desktop (non-VGA)
Win10betaboxes.png|Boxes
Win10betaboxesandcube.png|Boxes and Cube running minimized
Win10betacal.png|Calendar
Win10betacalc1.png|Calculator
Win10betacalc2.png|About Calculator
Win10betacard1.png|Cardfile
Win10betacard2.png|About Cardfile
Win10betaclip.png|Clipboard
Win10betaclock.png|Clock
Win10betaclock2.png|About Clock
Win10betacp1.png|Control Panel
Win10betacp2.png|Preferences
Win10betacp3.png|About Control Panel
Win10betanp.png|Notepad
Win10betap1.png|Paint
Win10betap2.png|About Paint
Win10betapa.png|Palette
Win10betapu.png|Puzzle
Win10betar1.png|Reversi in the middle of an illegal move
Win10betar2.png|About Reversi
Win10betas.png|Spectrum
Windows 1 00 beta 1 by jajan313-dajvf6r.png|Demo
Win10betash.png|End session
== References ==
Category:Pre-release builds of Windows 1.0