Microsoft Windows 95
Detailed Questions and Answers
February 1996

Contents

• What Is Windows 95?
• Why Should I Upgrade To Windows 95?
• Software/Hardware Compatibility
• Availability and Packaging
• User Interface
• Microsoft Online Registration Wizard
• Architecture
• Plug and Play
• Application Support
• Networking
• Systems Management
• Messaging and Mail
• The Microsoft Network - Online Service
• Mobile Computing
• Accessibility
• Microsoft Plus!
• For More Information

What Is Windows 95?

Windows 95 is the latest member of the Microsoft Windows family of products, and is the successor to Windows 3.x and Windows for Workgroups 3.x.

What are the key benefits and features of Windows 95?

Windows 95 represents a major step forward in functionality on desktop and portable PC platforms by providing a system that is even easier, faster, and more powerful to use, and which maintains compatibility with the Windows and MS-DOS® operating system&3150;based applications and hardware peripherals in which customers have invested.

Ease of use is improved through the Plug and Play architecture and a more intuitive user interface. With Windows 95, the engine of Microsoft Windows is revamped to improve performance and provide smooth multitasking. Windows 95 is a complete, integrated 32-bit operating system that does not require MS-DOS, although it can run MS-DOS–based applications. It implements the Win32® API and provides pre-emptive multitasking and multiple threads of execution for 32-bit applications. Windows 95 includes reliable and open networking support and high performance, in addition to messaging and Dial-Up Networking access services.

As the successor to Windows 3.x and Windows for Workgroups 3.x, Windows 95 meets a number of key requirements. First, Windows 95 is compatible with applications and device drivers for both MS-DOS and Windows 3.x. In most cases, when a customer upgrades to Windows 95, performance will meet or exceed performance of Windows 3.1, as long as the customer has an 80386DX or higher system with at least 4 MB of RAM for the same set of tasks. For systems with more than 4 MB of memory, performance is improved over Windows 3.1. The transition to the new user interface is easy for current users of Windows, and companies that want to make the transition at their own pace will still be able to run Program Manager and File Manager during the transition period.

Windows 95 is not processor-independent nor does it support symmetric multiprocessing systems. Windows 95 is also not designed to meet C2-level security specifications. If these features are important to a customer, Windows NT™ is the right operating system to use.

How does Windows 95 compare to the other Windows operating systems?

As compared to Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95 is designed to make mainstream PCs easier and more powerful. It is the right choice for customers who want to run business and personal-productivity applications and for use on home computers. Windows NT is designed for the most demanding business uses, such as development or advanced engineering and financial applications. Windows NT is also the right choice for those who need scalability to multiprocessing and RISC systems.

What are the hardware requirements for Windows 95?

Windows 95 will run on Intel (or compatible) 80386DX or higher processors with a minimum of 4 MB of memory (8 MB recommended). A VGA-compatible video adapter is also required. Windows 95 uses approximately 35-45 MB additional hard disk space as a typical upgrade from Windows 3.x, Windows for Workgroups 3.x, and MS-DOS (20 MB additional hard disk space is required to access Microsoft Exchange and MSN™ The Microsoft Network). Optional but recommended equipment includes a mouse, CD-ROM drive, modem, and audio card.

Why did Microsoft change the version numbering system for Windows?

Until recently, version numbers have served us well. Version numbers helped inform customers that new versions were available and gave some sense for the significance of the improvements. However, our customer base has broadened to include less technical users, and our research indicates that even our most sophisticated customers find our current version-numbering scheme confusing. For example, Windows 3.1 provided far more new capabilities than a typical 0.1 release, and Windows for Workgroups 3.11 introduced dramatically more than the usual .01 release. We must make it easier for customers to understand which version of our software they are using, so they know when to consider upgrading to the next release.

Does this numbering system mean Microsoft will release a new version of Windows every year?

No. It means that the version numbers helps give users a sense for the "model year" of their software, in the same way that customers have a sense of the model year of their cars today.

Why Should I Upgrade To Windows 95?

Why would individual customers want to upgrade to Windows 95?

The sheer quantity of the improvements included in Windows 95 represents a great value for customers. Top on the list of requested improvements was an easier way to work with the PC. As a result, a new user interface was designed for Windows 95 that helps make computing even easier both for less experienced users and experienced users who want greater efficiency and flexibility.

Long filename support is one of many usability improvements in Windows 95. Improving ease of use goes beyond fixing problems with Windows—it encompasses the hardware, applications, and network too. Plug and Play makes hardware configuration automatic, and built-in networking makes starting a new network or connecting to an existing network server such as Novell® NetWare® and Windows NT Server just as easy.

Customers also want greater efficiency and power and to get their work done faster. They want to run more than one application or task at the same time. They want to use their computers to access files, electronic mail, and public-information networks from any location—at work, at home, or on the road. They also want better multimedia, whether for playing MS-DOS–based games or for teleconferencing using TV-quality video resolution. The following are highlights of capabilities in Windows 95 that address these requests:

• Preemptive multitasking. Windows 95 can perform multitasking smoothly and responsively for 32-bit applications.
• Scalable performance. The performance improvements that Windows 95 provides over Windows 3.1 increase as the amount of RAM increases, due to the high-performance 32-bit architecture of Windows 95.
• Support for 32-bit applications. Windows 95 supports the Win32 API, which means customers can enjoy a new generation of easier, faster, and more reliable applications.
• Increased reliability. Windows 95 increases protection for running existing MS-DOS– and Windows-based applications and provides the highest level of protection for new 32-bit applications for Windows. As a result, an errant application is much less likely to disable other applications or the system.
• Faster printing. Windows 95 features a new 32-bit printing subsystem that reduces the time spent waiting for print jobs to finish and improves system response when jobs are printing in the background.
• Better multimedia support. Just as Windows 3.1 made sound a part of the system, Windows 95 now includes support for video playback. The video system and CD-ROM file system will provide high-quality output for multimedia applications.
• More memory for MS-DOS–based applications. The Windows 95 use of protected-mode drivers means customers have more than 600K free conventional memory in each MS-DOS window, even when they are connected to the network and using a CD-ROM drive and a mouse.
• Microsoft Exchange client. Windows 95 includes the Microsoft Exchange client, a universal client that retrieves messages into one universal inbox from many kinds of systems, including Microsoft Mail, faxes, Internet Mail, The Microsoft Network, CompuServe® Mail, and so on.
• Support for Mobile Computing. Users of portable PCs benefit from the built-in support provided by Windows 95 for their hardware, with automatic hardware reconfiguration (through Plug and Play), integrated disk compression, and battery power management. Dial-Up Networking and Briefcase help users stay organized and stay connected while on the road.
• Internet-Ready. Windows 95 includes the "plumbing" you need to connect to the Internet—support for TCP/IP and PPP dial-up connections are built in, and easy access to the Internet is available through The Microsoft Network. In addition, Microsoft Plus! includes the Internet Jumpstart Kit to give you the tools to browse the Web.

Why will companies want to upgrade to Windows 95?

Companies are moving to Windows 95 because it helps reduce their PC support burden, helps increase their control over the desktop, and helps increase the productivity of their end users. Numerous studies have shown that as much as 80 percent of the cost of owning a PC over the long term is associated with support costs. This includes installing, configuring, and managing the PC, and training the PC user. The Gartner Group has concluded that Windows 95 will likely lead to significantly lower total cost of ownership compared to MS-DOS and Windows 3.1 (PC Research Note: Personal Computing Costs: A Windows 95 Model, Aug. 15, 1994). Their model estimates the support savings is $1,180 per user per year. Over the five-year ownership period assumed in the analysis, this translates into savings of nearly $6,000 per user.

Windows 95 includes numerous features designed to reduce the costs of supporting PCs and PC users, including the following:

• A simpler, more intuitive user interface that can reduce training requirements for novice users and enable experienced users to learn new tasks with less help. The Start button, taskbar, Windows Explorer, wizards, a new Help system, and more, make Windows 95 easy to learn and make functionality easy to discover.
• Built-in networking support that is easier to set up and configure and is faster and more reliable to use. Whether you're running NetWare or Microsoft networks using NetBEUI, IPX/SPX, or TCP/IP protocols, and using NDIS or ODI drivers, Windows 95 has integrated support for your network client, protocol, and driver. Additional networks are added easily. Windows 95 includes 32-bit clients for both NetWare and Microsoft networks that are fast and reliable and require no conventional memory. A Windows 95#150;based PC can have multiple network clients and transport protocols running simultaneously for connecting heterogeneous systems. In addition, Dial-Up Networking in Windows 95 makes it easy to access information on the network from remote locations in an easy, reliable, and secure manner.
• Plug and Play device installation to automate the difficult process of adding devices to a PC. Windows 95 supports the industry-standard Plug and Play specification to enable automatic installation and configuration of add-on devices. If you install Windows 95 on the system you have today and purchase a Plug and Play add-on device, you are able to install that device by just plugging it in and turning on your system. Plug and Play takes care of the messy details of installation and configuration. Plug and Play also enables innovative new system designs that support such capabilities as hot docking and undocking.
• System-management capabilities that simplify remote administration and enable new system-management applications. Windows 95 features an infrastructure for the management of PCs that leverages a hierarchical database of system-configuration information, called the registry. The registry holds all the pertinent information about the system—hardware, software, user preferences, and privileges—and provides access to its contents over the network through a variety of industry-standard interfaces, including SNMP, DMI, and Remote Procedure Call. This infrastructure simplifies many administrative tasks by including tools for remote configuration of the desktop and enables a new generation of sophisticated system-management applications for managing the desktop, performing hardware and software inventorying, and supporting software distribution.
• System policies that enable an administrator to control a desktop configuration. Windows 95 supports policies, which are settings an administrator configures to define the operations that users can access on their PCs. Policies also can be used to define the appearance of the desktop. For example, the administrator can set a policy to disable the MS-DOS Prompt and the Run commands, to prevent users from arbitrarily running applications.
• Support for shared PCs and roving users. Windows 95 can present different configurations, depending on who has logged into the PC. This option enables users to log on to different machines on the network and see their personal configurations. Many users can choose to use the flexibility of saving desktop settings by password and logon name—for example, for a multi-user workstation on which one user requires large-print or high-contrast settings due to a vision impairment.
• Built-in agents for automating backup of desktop systems. Windows 95 includes the software required to back up a desktop system using a server-based backup system. The Backup Agents included with Windows 95 work with the most popular server-based systems.

In addition to reducing support costs and increasing control over the desktop, Windows 95 helps make end users more productive. In usability-test studies, users of Windows 3.1 are able to perform a series of typical tasks that they perform today in 25 percent less time using Windows 95. These tests did not take into account many of the tasks that users would like to perform but which are too difficult today. These include installing a CD-ROM drive and sound card, or retrieving a file from the desktop system or the network while using the computer at home or traveling on business. By making these capabilities much more accessible, Windows 95 enables customers to be even more productive using PCs.

Isn't it expensive for me to put Windows 95 on all the PCs in a company?

Windows 95 has been designed to provide a safe and smooth transition to the new operating system. Windows 95 will work on the hardware and software you already have, through support for existing device drivers and applications for MS-DOS and Windows. On mainstream systems—those with at least 4 MB of RAM and an 80386DX processor—Windows 95 will perform as fast or faster than Windows 3.1 if all you do is upgrade the operating system. The installation program will detect and maintain current system settings and enable automated installation through a variety of techniques, including login scripts and software-distribution applications. Users of Windows 3.1 are productive quickly, as confirmed by the thorough usability testing Microsoft conducted with users of Windows 3.1 and the learning aids that are included with the product. A study by Usability Sciences (October 1994) showed that after a 20-minute "play period" and with the help of a computer-based tutorial, users of Windows 3.1 using Windows 95 for just 90 minutes can perform a common set of tasks nearly 50 percent faster than with Windows 3.1—providing a dramatic increase in productivity.

The savings achieved by using Windows 95 can outweigh the costs of making the migration. The Gartner Group has estimated that migration costs can be recouped in three to six months. Good planning and deployment techniques help keep these costs to a minimum.

How much testing did Windows 95 undergo?

Windows 95 went through a great deal of testing both internally and externally to ensure the quality of the product. Microsoft has produced the most tested product in the history of software manufacturing, with more than a year of testing to over 50,000 technical beta sites; 70,000 MSDN level II subscribers; 10,000 tracked Windows 3.x upgrades; as many as 400,000 preview kits, accounting for more than one million users; and a variety of other programs. Some additional statistics of what the product has gone through include: over 293 person-years of internal testing; over two million stress-test hours; and a rigorous automated test procedure that has created over 13 billion windows, 36 billion dialog boxes, 250 million processes, and over 600 million print jobs.

Is Windows 95 a "1.0" release? Should I wait for a "1.1" release before upgrading?

No. Windows 95 is the fourth major revision of Windows. It underwent the largest testing effort in the history of the PC industry and is a quality product. Companies should begin evaluating now and base their upgrade decision on the results of their testing.

What tools has Microsoft developed to help me with my planning and deployment of Windows 95? Where can I get them?

Microsoft has developed a number of tools to assist with the planning and deployment of Windows 95. These tools include the following:

Windows 95 Evaluation & Migration Planning Kit - Includes tools and documentation to determine the business impact of, evaluate, and plan for the migration to Windows 95. Tools range from a financial impact model and case studies to an interactive demo, the Microsoft Windows 95 Resource Kit in Help file format, and much more. This CD can be also be ordered directly from Microsoft Inside Sales at (800) 426-9400.

Windows 95 TrainCast video series - For IS Professionals interested in video training, Microsoft produced a series of educational and instructional training videos based on the Microsoft Windows 95 Resource Kit. Topics include all aspects of planning, implementing, and supporting Windows within an organization. For a complete list of titles and ordering information, call the Traincast hotline at (800) 597-3200.

Software/Hardware Compatibility

How can I tell whether the applications I use are compatible with Windows 95?

Microsoft has tested over 2,500 programs internally, and has published the results in the form of a Software Compatibility List (see the "For More Information" section at the end of this document for additional locations). If the application you use is not listed in the document, it doesn't mean it won't work; this just indicates that the application wasn't part of our internal testing effort, though it may well have been tested by users as part of our beta test program.

Do you have a similar list for hardware?

Yes. The Hardware Compatibility List identifies the hardware devices that Microsoft has tested and verified as working with Windows 95. This list is updated as additional products are tested (see the "For More Information" section at the end of this document for additional locations).

Availability and Packaging

What different packages are available for Windows 95?

Windows 95 is offered on floppy disk, and for the first time on CD-ROM. The disk version is available as an upgrade (for existing users of Windows, Windows for Workgroups, and OS/2® , or for new installations (for users that don't have an operating system on their PC). The CD-ROM version is also available as an upgrade for existing users of Windows, Windows for Workgroups, and OS/2. The CD-ROM version is designed for anyone who has a CD-ROM drive, and will speed up installation time. In addition, the CD-ROM includes some extra components, including video clips, audio wave files, and a new game.

As a companion product to Windows 95, Microsoft is offering Microsoft Plus! This is a product that makes PCs running Windows 95 look and run better than ever before. Targeted at 486 and Pentium® class PCs, Microsoft Plus! also makes it fast and easy to get onto the Internet. For more information, see the "Microsoft Plus!" section below.

How much does Windows 95 cost?

The upgrade version of Windows 95 for existing Windows and Windows for Workgroups users has an estimated retail price of $109 (choice of floppy disk or CD-ROM). The full version of Windows 95, for new installations with no existing version of Windows, has an estimated retail price of $209 (floppy disk only).

What is Windows 32-Bit Family Maintenance?

For many customers, a mixed environment of Windows 95 and Windows NT Workstation is the best way to meet the different needs of individual users. Windows 32-Bit Family Maintenance is a program that allows Microsoft Select and Open volume license customers to combine both Windows 95 and Windows NT Workstation under a single upgrade and maintenance license. Any customer with 25 or more PCs can take advantage of this new flexibility, regardless of whether they are currently enrolled in Maintenance or not. Customers should contact their reseller or call (800) 426-9400 to determine the best way they can enroll.

In which localized languages is Windows 95 available?

Windows 95 is currently available in: French, German, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Pan European (Pan European is an English version with the capability to run Eastern European applications), Portuguese (Iberian), Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Japanese, Chinese traditional and simplified (mainland), Russian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Catalan, Basque, Greek, Turkish, Korean, Thai, Slovenian, and Slovak. Others coming a little later: Arabic, Hebrew, and Vietnamese (English-enabled).

I understand there is a new logo for Windows 95. What will it mean to me?

The new logo, which looks quite similar to the current logo, featuring the same Windows flag, is used optionally by vendors to identify their hardware, software, and peripheral products that take advantage of new capabilities in Windows 95. The logo will let customers know at a glance, for example, which CD-ROM drives are Plug and Play–enabled and which applications are 32-bit.

For a current list of the hardware and software products that are licensed to carry the "Designed for Windows 95" logo, check the Microsoft Windows web site (http://www.microsoft.com/windows) and other online sources (see the "For More Information" section at the end of this document for additional locations).

Vendors can obtain detailed logo requirements by accessing the Microsoft Developer Solutions Phone-Fax service at (206) 635-2222 and requesting Document 130.

Is Microsoft working on versions of Windows 95 for microprocessors other than Intel-compatible microprocessors?

No, Windows 95 is designed only for Intel-compatible microprocessors and won't be ported to other processor architectures. Windows NT is Microsoft's portable operating system, and it's already available on high-end Intel®, MIPS®, Alpha AXP™, PowerPC™, and Clipper™ computers.

Are MS-DOS 6.22, Windows 3.11, and Windows for Workgroups 3.11 still available?

Yes. These products will still be available from the same channels you presently obtain them from. We will continue to make these products available as customer demand dictates.

User Interface

Does the new user interface in Windows 95 really make the PC easier to use?

The goal for the user interface for future versions of Windows is to make computers easy for all people to use. The user-interface design in Windows 95 achieves these goals through the most extensive usability-testing effort ever (thousands of hours of laboratory testing, with hundreds of users of all levels of experience) and through feedback from various sources, including testing at customer sites, reviews with experts on training in Windows, audits by user-interface consultants, feedback from focus groups, and analysis of product-support calls.

Both inexperienced and experienced users will find that the changes to the user interface in Windows 95 make it even easier to learn and use. The system taskbar makes all the functions most users need accessible with a single click of a button. The taskbar shows all open windows and makes it much easier to switch between windows by just clicking a button representing that window. Instead of mastering different kinds of tools (Program Manager, File Manager, Print Manager, and Control Panel) to work with different resources on their computers, users of Windows 95 are able to browse for and access all resources in a consistent fashion with a single tool. All resources in the system have "property sheets," which are designed like tabbed notebooks: the settings can be directly changed; a new integrated Help system makes it easy and fast to get help at all times.

Doesn't a new user interface mean a lot of retraining for current users of Windows?

No. The Windows 95 user interface is designed to make experienced users of Windows 3.x productive immediately, and usability testing has found this to be the case. After a few iterations of working with the Windows 95 environment, users of Windows 3.1 are able to complete common tasks faster with Windows 95.

Windows 95 enables corporate customers and individuals who want to move gradually to the new user interface to continue running Program Manager and File Manager while they become familiar with the new user-interface features.

Microsoft Windows 95 Online Registration Wizard

What is the Registration Wizard?

This wizard is just an electronic version of the paper-based registration card that ships in the Windows 95 product box. And just like paper-based registration, online registration is completely optional.

How does the Registration Wizard work?

The Registration Wizard helps you step-by-step through the process of registering your copy of Windows 95. The wizard helps you provide the same information that you would fill out using the paper registration form. For example, the wizard starts by asking your name, company name, address, and phone number. It then gives you the option of sending information about your computer system's configuration (such as the processor type, amount of memory, and hard-disk space) and your hardware peripherals (such as your network card, CD-ROM drive, and sound card). The wizard also asks whether you'd like to send information about the applications on your system. The wizard makes it easy for you to provide information about your system configuration, because it automatically queries the system registry of your computer and displays a list of your computer's configuration information. You can see all of the information, and you can choose to send or not send it.

Similarly, the wizard makes it easy for you to provide information about the applications you use, because it checks your local hard disk for the names of commonly used programs and lists on the screen the names of the ones you have (a maximum of 12 are listed). You review the list and then choose to send or not send the information. After registering your software, the registration wizard creates a file called Reginfo.txt in your Windows directory with the information that is sent to Microsoft, allowing you to easily view the contents of what was sent.

Does the Registration Wizard only send the information I want to send?

Yes. The Registration Wizard only sends information that you have reviewed and have confirmed to send.

The information helps Microsoft build better products and provides you with better product support. Information about users' systems, such as memory, hard-disk space, and the presence of a CD-ROM drive helps Microsoft understand customers' configurations and therefore design products that meet the majority of users' needs. Knowing your exact system configuration and the applications you run makes it easier for product-support specialists to provide fast, accurate telephone responses to your questions.

Like paper-based registration, online registration enables Microsoft to send you information about Microsoft programs that are tailored for your needs and interests. Just as with paper-based registration, the online registration information stays at Microsoft and is never provided to other parties. Occasionally, information may be sent to you about non-Microsoft products or programs when appropriate, but you can check a box in the wizard if you want never to receive such materials.

Where can I get additional information about the Registration Wizard?

Click here for additional information on the The Microsoft Windows 95 Online Registration Wizard

See the "For More Information" section at the end of this document for other online sites.

Architecture

Microsoft's performance goals sound very ambitious, considering all the added functionality in Windows 95. How did you achieve those goals?

The stated performance goal of Windows 95 is that when a customer upgrades to Windows 95, performance will meet or exceed performance of Windows 3.1 for the same set of tasks, as long as the customer has an 80386DX or higher system with at least 4 MB of RAM. (For systems with more memory, performance is improved over Windows 3.1.) Windows 95 meets this performance goal by implementing new technologies to better optimize the use of memory on low-end system configurations. The networking, disk, CD-ROM, and paging caches are fully integrated to scale better as more memory is added to the system. Protected-mode device drivers are dynamically loadable to ensure that only the drivers that are immediately needed are consuming memory. Great attention is paid to effective tuning, including hand-tuning source code.

I've heard Windows 95 described as a 32-bit operating system, yet I've also heard that portions of Windows 95 are implemented with 16-bit code. Are both these statements correct?

Windows 95 is a 32-bit, pre-emptive multitasking operating system that implements some 16-bit code to provide compatibility with existing applications. Windows 95 deploys 32-bit code wherever it significantly improves performance without sacrificing compatibility. It retains existing 16-bit code where it is required to maintain compatibility or where 32-bit code would increase memory requirements without significantly improving performance. All of the I/O subsystems and core device drivers (such as networking and file systems) in Windows 95 are fully 32-bit, as are all the memory-management and scheduling components. Many functions provided by the Graphics Device Interface (GDI) have been moved to 32-bit code, including the spooler and printing subsystem, the TrueType® font rasterizer, and key drawing operations. Windows 95 includes a 32-bit implementation of OLE. Much of the window-management code (USER) remains 16-bit to help ensure application compatibility.

How well does Windows 95 multitask?

The architecture of Windows 95 enables existing 16-bit Windows-based applications to run as they did under Windows 3.1 in a cooperative multitasking manner for the highest level of compatibility, and allows the new generation of 32-bit Windows-based applications to pre-emptively multitask, for even smoother and better response. Many of the core components of Windows 95 are 32-bit and pre-emptively multitask, thus providing improved system response without the user having to do anything but upgrade the operating system (these components include the disk I/O and CD-ROM subsystems, network I/O subsystem, printing services, and even the user interface).

Does Windows 95 improve limits on system resources?

Yes. Windows 95 improves system-resource limits dramatically while maintaining compatibility with existing Windows-based applications. This means that users are not only be able to run more applications than under Windows 3.1 or Windows for Workgroups 3.11, but are also able to create more complex documents.

Plug and Play

What is Plug and Play? What benefits does Plug and Play provide?

Plug and Play is a technology jointly developed by PC product vendors that dramatically improves the integration of PC hardware and software. Windows 95 is a key enabling technology for Plug and Play. Plug and Play is built into all levels of Windows 95 and covers both common desktop and laptop devices, such as monitors, printers, video cards, sound cards, CD-ROM drives, SCSI adapters, modems, and PCMCIA devices.

With Windows 95, a user can easily install or connect Plug and Play devices to the system, letting the system automatically allocate hardware resources with no user intervention. For example, by just plugging in a CD-ROM and sound card, you can easily turn your desktop PC into a multimedia playback system. Simply plug in the components, turn on the PC, and play a video clip.

Windows 95 also enables new Plug and Play system designs that can be dynamically reconfigured. For example, a Windows 95 Plug and Play laptop can be removed from its docking station or disconnected from its peripherals while still running, and be taken to a meeting; the system automatically reconfigures to work with a lower-resolution display and adjusts for the absence of the network card and large disk drive.

Will Plug and Play devices work with my current system, or will I need a new system? What benefits will I receive when I purchase a Plug and Play device with my current system after I have installed Windows 95?

Windows 95 and Plug and Play devices provide complete backward compatibility to work with systems that were not designed according to the Plug and Play specification. And when you purchase a Plug and Play device for a non–Plug and Play PC running Windows 95, you still benefit from the automatic installation features of Plug and Play add-on devices.

Does Windows 95 improve device support for legacy devices?

Yes. Windows 95 offers significantly better support for legacy hardware than previous operating systems. In fact, Windows 95 features a database of configuration information on over 1,600 legacy devices, and automatically detects over 800 legacy devices (many more if you add "clones" and boards that use the same chipset). To aid in installation and configuration, Windows 95 includes a step-by-step wizard for adding new hardware, and a troubleshooter to help resolve device conflicts and configuration issues. The use of the registry for storing configuration information in Windows 95 means that resources used by hardware devices are tracked system-wide, and thus configuration of legacy devices is simplified, and configuration of Plug and Play devices is automatic.

Application Support

What support does Windows 95 have for applications?

Windows 95 supports most of the MS-DOS–based and 16-bit Windows-based applications that were supported by Windows 3.x, in addition to a new generation of 32-bit applications. It provides this support through the Win32 API, which is also available in Windows NT. This new generation of 32-bit applications provides benefits, such as greater robustness, smoother multitasking, long filename support, a new look and feel, and threads, to name a few.

How many applications that exploit Windows 95 are available?

There are over 700 32-bit Windows-based applications available today for Windows 95 and Windows NT, and more are released every day. For a current list of applications that are licensed to carry the "Designed for Windows 95" logo, check the Microsoft Windows web site (http://www.microsoft.com/windows), and other online sources (see the "For More Information" section at the end of this document for additional locations).

How can I find out if the applications I use are compatible with Windows 95?

Software compatibility is a key goal for Microsoft Windows 95. Right from the start, we designed Windows 95 to be as compatible as possible with existing 16-bit Windows-based and MS-DOS–based applications and drivers, while at the same time providing key features such as a new user interface, Plug and Play, networking, and built-in multimedia. You can be assured that software displaying the "Designed for Windows 95" logo not only works with Windows 95 but takes advantage of new Windows 95 features.

As part of the internal development effort for Windows 95 by Microsoft, we tested thousands of existing applications, and where we could, made changes to Windows 95 to make sure those applications run well. The Microsoft development team documented the applications they tested and has released the Windows 95 "Software Compatibility List" that lists those applications tested by the team. Except where noted, according to our tests these applications run about as well or better in Windows 95 as they did in Windows 3.1. When we did encounter problems in our tests, the notes or problems for each particular application are described in this report, together with any tips or additional information that might be useful.

Click here for more information on the Software Compatibility List

Also see the "For More Information," section at the end of this chapter for other online locations.

Networking

Do I need new networking software to connect Windows 95 to my network server?

No. Windows 95 allows you to run existing real-mode networking components while enhancing the 32-bit protected-mode networking components first delivered with Windows for Workgroups.

What improvements does the networking support in Windows 95 offer over the support in Windows for Workgroups 3.11?

In addition to being backward-compatible with today's network clients, Windows 95 enhances the open and flexible, high-performance, 32-bit networking architecture offered today with Windows for Workgroups 3.11 that enables customers to mix and match networking components. Windows 95 includes fast 32-bit, native clients for both NetWare and Windows NT Server networks; supports NDIS 2.x, 3.x, and ODI drivers; and provides 32-bit NetBEUI, IPX/SPX, and TCP/IP protocols. In addition, the network architecture in Windows 95 makes it possible for users to connect simultaneously to multiple networks using multiple protocols.

What support does Windows 95 offer for connecting to my Novell NetWare network?

Windows 95 provides a high-performance 32-bit networking client written by Microsoft for connecting to NetWare networks. The client is enabled for key features of Windows 95, such as long filenames, links, auto-reconnect to servers, Point and Print, and Plug and Play, and it is integrated tightly into the Windows 95 shell via the network provider interface (NPI). The client provides support for connecting to NetWare 2.x, 3.x, and 4.x servers (using bindery emulation). In addition, Microsoft has released the Service for NetWare Directory Services, allowing users to seamlessly connect to a NetWare 4.x server using NDS (see the "For More Information" section at the end of this document for additional locations).

Windows 95 also supports the use of the existing Novell NetWare Workstation shells (NETX and VLM), if you choose to use them.

What about 32-bit client support for connecting to other network systems?

Many networking vendors in the industry, including Banyan Systems, DEC, and FTP Software, are working on 32-bit networking clients for Windows 95. These product offerings will enhance the built-in networking functionality provided in the Windows 95 box, and provide additional connectivity options—all tightly integrated with the Windows 95 user interface.

Will there be a Windows 95 server product?

Windows 95 is not be provided in a separate server product. Windows NT Server is the Microsoft product to use for production servers. Windows 95 does improve on the peer-server capabilities offered in Windows for Workgroups by offering additional features for remote installation, control, and administration. These features makes Windows 95 an even better product for an easy-to-use file-sharing and print-sharing LAN that is ideally suited for a small business, small department, or remote office.

Can Windows 95 connect to the Internet?

Yes. Windows 95 includes the networking support you need to connect to the Internet. It includes a fast, robust, 32-bit TCP/IP protocol stack (TCP/IP is the language used by the Internet), and PPP or "dial-in" support. Windows 95 supports the large number of tools used to connect to the Internet, such as Mosaic, WinWAIS, and WinGopher, through the industry standard Windows Sockets programming interface. Windows 95 also includes standard Internet utility support, such as telnet and ftp. In addition, the Microsoft Exchange mail client included with Windows 95 offers a mail driver that supports Internet electronic mail standards, including SMTP and POP, to make it easy to send and receive mail over the Internet.

Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95, a companion application for Windows 95, includes the Internet Jumpstart Kit, which includes Microsoft Internet Explorer, which is Microsoft's World Wide Web browser for Windows 95, a MAPI driver to allow the Microsoft Exchange e-mail client in Windows 95 to receive Internet mail, and extensions to Windows 95 to allow shortcuts to be created to the Internet.

Systems Management

What specific desktop-management features does Windows 95 enable?

The Windows 95 operating system can be set up from a network server and can be configured at the desktop to run locally or across the network. In each case, the administrator can establish a specific configuration for the installation, controlling which features are installed and which features can be accessed or altered by the user.

Windows 95 supports policies, which are settings an administrator configures to define what applications or services users or groups of users can access using their PCs. Using policies, for example, the administrator can disable the MS-DOS Prompt and the Run commands to prevent users from arbitrarily running applications, and can disable file and print sharing.

To enable users to rove and use any system on the network, Windows 95 provides user profiles. These profiles are centrally stored, accessed when the user logs on to a Windows 95 system, and used to install the appropriate configuration and set the appropriate policies for that user. Windows 95 also enhances the security provided by Windows for Workgroups to include user-level security.

Windows 95 also includes key desktop agents for popular server-based backup programs, in addition to SNMP and DMI. Finally, hardware installation and configuration is made much easier and less costly with the implementation of the Plug and Play architecture in devices and systems. The Windows registry provides data about hardware resources. The data can be accessed by third-party vendors to provide inventory-management solutions.

Messaging and Mail

What is Microsoft Exchange?

Microsoft Exchange is a universal information client built into the Windows 95 user interface. It can read and send electronic mail from different e-mail systems, including LAN-based systems such as Microsoft Mail, Internet mail, or mail on remote online system services such as The Microsoft Network or CompuServe. It can also send and receive faxes and other remote messages. Microsoft Exchange in Windows 95 also includes Microsoft Fax software for sending and receiving electronic fax messages. It also provides an effective way to organize, sort, and categorize messages.

What mail providers does Microsoft Exchange support?

Windows 95 includes mail providers in the box to support Microsoft Mail, Microsoft Fax, and The Microsoft Network. The Internet mail provider is included in Microsoft Plus! and available for download from online services. A mail driver for CompuServe Mail is provided on the Windows 95 CD, and is available for download from online services. Support for other messaging systems is in progress and is offered by third parties.

Can I send fax messages with Windows 95?

Yes. Microsoft Fax is integrated into Windows 95 as a MAPI transport service provider, leveraging the Microsoft Exchange universal inbox, rich-text message creation, and browsing capabilities to deliver ease-of-use and consistency to the management of fax messages. The fax provider coexists with other information or messaging services that users might have installed, and leverages the Microsoft Exchange common address book and inbox. Users of Windows 95 can take advantage of Microsoft Fax innovations that provide the secure exchange of editable documents. Users can send faxes from within mail-enabled Windows-based applications, such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, by using the Send command on the File menu. Additionally, a fax printer driver enables users to "print" documents to their local fax modems, either via the Print command or by dragging the documents to a Fax icon on the Windows 95 desktop.

Microsoft Fax leverages the power of the Windows 95 operating system through the Win32 API. As a 32-bit application, Microsoft Fax integrates seamlessly with other Windows 95–based applications through its support for MAPI, TAPI, and OLE. In addition to tight integration with Windows 95, Microsoft Fax incorporates Microsoft At Work™ technologies that support Binary File Transfer (BFT), security, and high-quality document rendering. These technologies put powerful desktop fax messaging at the fingertips of users of Windows 95.

The Microsoft Network Online Service

What is The Microsoft Network? MSN, The Microsoft Network, is an online service that Microsoft developed to help bring the rapidly expanding world of electronic information and communication to mainstream PC users. The Microsoft Network brings all customers of Windows 95 affordable and easy-to-use access to electronic mail, bulletin boards, chat rooms, file libraries, and Internet newsgroups. Microsoft Windows 95 customers worldwide are able to access Microsoft Network with a local phone call. The Microsoft Network offers a wide range of online information and services, and in particular Microsoft customers will find The Microsoft Network the single best place to go to get information and support for Microsoft products. The Microsoft Network client's tight integration with Windows 95 allows customers already familiar with Windows 95 to utilize their learning, and feel comfortable online immediately.

Why is Microsoft getting into the online services business with The Microsoft Network?

Microsoft has long believed in "Information At Your Fingertips," and we believe that The Microsoft Network represents a major opportunity for us to deliver on that vision. Enabling PC users to easily communicate and access information is the next great opportunity in our industry. The online service business has great promise to provide consumers with that easy communication and information access, but it's still in the infancy stage and many factors must come together to make it a mainstream phenomenon. Online services must offer a more compelling multimedia-rich set of publications, shopping services, games, and so on, that will both attract and retain a large audience. This will require investments by both the providers of information and services, and new tools and infrastructure investments by the online service companies. Microsoft hopes to help expand this market by enabling the providers of information and services with better technology and tools, while motivating them with a more attractive business model.

Mobile Computing

What improvements does Windows 95 offer for people who use a portable PC or a computer at a remote location?

Windows 95 is the first version of the Windows operating system to include features designed to meet the needs of portable PC users. Specifically, Windows 95 gets the most out of the special features of portable PC hardware, includes features to help mobile and remote users "stay connected" to the information they need, and provides a means to keep data and work organized between a desktop PC or corporate network and a portable PC or remote system. With Windows 95, mobile computer users are more productive and will require less support.

• Support for Portable PC Hardware. For most purchasers (corporate and end user alike), portable computers are a big investment. Many of the mobile computer features in Windows 95 were designed around the goal of maximizing the benefits from today's newest technology, in addition to helping to extend the useful life of previous purchases of portable computing hardware. Windows 95 includes built-in support for PC Card (PCMCIA) devices, docking stations, and port replicators. Windows 95 automatically adapts to different hardware configurations, eliminating time-consuming manual setup and complex boot procedures. Hot-swapping of PC Card devices is directly supported by Windows 95, with no separate card/socket services software to worry about. And Windows 95 includes integrated disk compression and power management to help get the most out of existing portable PCs.
• Stay Connected. Many portable or remote PC users can be thought of as being "away from the desk," and thus away from the network, e-mail, telephone, fax, and other communications and information resources found on a physical desktop. Dial-up Networking technology enables users and applications to access network resources in a consistent manner regardless of whether the connection to the network is direct (using a network cable) or via a modem. Users connect to network resources the same way, and applications use the same APIs to control network connections. Microsoft Exchange mail and Microsoft Fax provide extensive remote connectivity features. The Microsoft Exchange Inbox has features, such as integrated Remote Mail, which are specifically designed to improve the efficiency of interacting with a mail system over a slow network link. Microsoft Fax support enables mobile users to easily send and receive facsimile documents using their portable PC and a fax modem.
• Stay Organized. The nature of the mobile work environment introduces significant, time-consuming organizational challenges—many of which can be addressed through software. Windows 95 has been designed to minimize the amount of drudgery required to work effectively in a mobile environment. The Briefcase simplifies the process of keeping files "in sync" between a desktop PC or network and a portable PC or remote machine, and deferred printing manages print jobs created on the road. Windows 95 also provides an easy-to-use utility for transferring files between computers using serial, parallel, or infrared connections.

How are the remote-client capabilities in Windows 95 different from those in Windows for Workgroups 3.11?

Clients running Windows for Workgroups could dial into Windows NT Server or Windows for Workgroups–based servers only. Windows 95 supports a much more diverse remote-access environment; it can connect to the majority of the dial-in systems in common use today. Windows 95 Dial-Up Networking has been extensively tested with Windows NT Server and other PCs running Windows 95, NetWare servers running NetWare Connect, popular network devices such as the Shiva® NetModem and LANRover, and many Internet service providers. Windows 95 includes built-in protocol support for Windows 3.1 RAS, PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol, the emerging standard for dial-up networking and Internet access), and NetWare connect. All dial-up networking and communications services are fully 32-bit, in order to increase performance and reliability. Unlike Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95 offers smooth, usable performance while transferring files over a dial-up networking link.

Does Windows 95 offer any improvements in ways to roll out and support remote network access in an organization?

Yes. Windows 95 dramatically reduces the support costs of remote network access. System administrators can supply end users with preconfigured network shortcuts and predefined connections to remote networks. Double-clicking a shortcut will dial the phone, log users on to the network, and open the desired network resource (such as a file folder on a remote server). Alternatively, a New Connection Wizard steps users through the process of setting up a Remote Access client or server. Users no longer need to know how to set up a modem, establish a connections, or operate a remote communications package.

Do I need to learn a new application to use Dial-Up Networking?

No. Dial-Up Networking is a built-in part of the Windows 95 network architecture. Windows 95 helps you connect to your dial-up server whenever a connection is needed; you do not need to use a special remote-access program. Once connected, you use a Dial-Up Networking connection the same way that you use a physical network connection. Even the network protocols are the same, so all of your applications will run just fine over the Dial-Up Networking connection.

Will Windows 95 extend the battery life of my computer?

Not by itself, but Windows 95 offers significant improvements in power management. Most importantly, Windows 95 supports the Advanced Power Management (APM 1.1) specification. Power status information is made available via a battery monitor icon on the taskbar, which warns you as your battery begins to run low. Windows 95 also makes power status information available to applications, so they can take an active role in conserving power (such as turning off background disk operations).

Does Windows 95 include built-in scripting support for dial-up connections?

Yes. The Windows 95 CD includes a scripting add-in for Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) and Serial-Line Internet Protocol (SLIP) connections (floppy disk users can download this support from online services). Scripting support can be used to automate connections to dial-in servers that require "terminal mode" interaction (such as entering a password) in order to establish a connection. Dial-up scripting in Windows 95 provides a simple, easy-to-use language for creating scripts, and will also provide a baseline that other remote-access companies can enhance and extend.

Has Windows 95 improved support for PC Cards (PCMCIA) and other hardware, such as port replicators or docking stations?

Yes. Windows 95 offers vastly improved support for PC Cards and other mobile computing devices. PC Card support is built into the core of Windows 95. The operating system automatically loads the necessary drivers for each card as it is inserted, and unloads the drivers when the card is ejected. No real-mode card or socket drivers are required. When a new card is first inserted, Windows 95 detects the card and installs the appropriate drivers automatically.

If you use a docking station or port replicator, all pertinent system settings, including video resolution, keyboard, pointing device, and network, are automatically reconfigured "on the fly" when your computer is inserted or removed from the dock or port replicator. On systems featuring a Plug and Play BIOS, no reboot is required. On non–Plug and Play machines from the leading manufacturers, multiple configurations are supported automatically when the system is restarted.

Does Windows 95 require a brand-new portable PC to run effectively?

No. Windows 95 was designed to run well on any PC using a 80386DX or better processor, and 4 MB of memory. Many portable PCs fall into this category. In fact, Windows 95 offers significant enhancements for users of older portable PCs. New integrated disk compression helps you store more information on your computer's disk, and File Viewers enable you to view information when you don't have the disk space or processor power to run a full application.

I use both a desktop PC and a portable PC. What support does Windows 95 offer for this environment?

Windows 95 introduces Briefcase, an easy-to-use application for keeping multiple versions of files "in sync." For example, if you copy several files from your desktop PC to your laptop, Briefcase automates the process of comparing your (perhaps edited) files to the original versions, and performing any needed copy operations to keep all the files up-to-date. Briefcase also enables applications to provide "reconciliation handlers" that merge documents when both the original and the copy have changed.

To simplify the process of exchanging files between two computers, Windows 95 implements Direct Cable Connection, which provides a simple, fast, network-like connection (including security), using a parallel or serial cable, or an infrared connection.

Does Windows 95 support Infrared communications?

Yes. Windows 95 now provides support for IrDA, the Infrared Data Association standard for wireless connectivity. IrDA support enables Windows 95 users to easily connect to peripheral devices or other Windows 95–based PCs without using connecting cables (see the "For More Information" section at the end of this document for additional locations).

Do I need to set up a special server to use Remote Mail in Windows 95?

No. Remote Mail functionality is built into the Microsoft Exchange Inbox in Windows 95, and will work with any compatible server. Using Remote Mail, you can look at the headers of mail messages which are waiting for you on the server, and select which ones you want to download, delete, or hold on the server. By downloading only those messages you want to read, you can save a substantial amount of time online.

Is Windows 95 only useful if I have a docking station or port replicator, or if I connect to a corporate network?

No! Windows 95 offers significant benefits for a wide range of mobile computer users. Even if you never connect your portable PC to a dock or port replicator, Windows 95 offers significant enhancements: vastly improved PC Card (PCMCIA) support, integrated disk compression, support for Advanced Power Management, File Viewers, and deferred printing, to name just a few. In a non-networked environment, you can use features like Direct Cable Connect to exchange files with another PC, or you can use Dial-Up Networking or the Inbox to access information sources like the Internet or an electronic mail service provider.

Can I print while I'm on the road?

Yes. Using deferred printing in Windows 95, you can create print jobs while you're away from your printer. Windows 95 lets your applications print as usual, and stores their output on your computer's hard disk. When you reconnect to a printer, Windows 95 sends the stored print jobs to the printer. If you change your mind about printing something, you can delete documents from the queue before they've printed.

Accessibility

How does Windows 95 improve on support for accessibility over Windows 3.x?

Windows 95 provides a host of features and tools to make Microsoft products more accessible to users with disabilities. Unlike Windows 3.x, these features are integrated into the system and are installed by default, so they're right there when the user needs them.

With Windows 95, Microsoft provides:

• Accessibility Options: StickyKeys, MouseKeys, ToggleKeys, and others offer better keyboard access to people with physical disabilities such as tremors, arthritis, or paralysis. SoundSentry and ShowSounds display, onscreen, computer events that typically use sound.
• High-Contrast features, enlarged text schemes, and MouseTrails offer increased visibility of user interface elements to users with vision impairments.
• New APIs and libraries to enable ISVs to develop high-quality screen readers, a number of which were released at the same time as Windows 95. This is a major improvement over the delay between the release of Windows 3.x and screen readers for Windows 3.x on the market.
• Windows 95 documentation in an accessible format (compressed ASCII text) for users who are blind or physically can't handle print documentation.
• Microsoft provides customers with information about accessibility. The brochure "Computer Accessibility for People with Disabilities" is available through Customer Service. We also have a catalog of Accessibility products (Microsoft's and third-party). In addition, we make our customer service and support accessible to users via TDD lines.

As soon as possible after Windows 95 ships, we will provide a screen enlarger, tutorial for the blind, onscreen keyboard, and Dvorak one-handed keyboard layouts.

For future releases, we plan to include: text-to-speech and voice command capabilities, OLE Accessibility, and closed-captioning and video descriptions for multimedia titles.

Are accessibility options in Windows 95 difficult to install?

No. Accessibility options are installed by default when Windows 95 is installed, so a PC running Windows 95 is accessible to everyone.

Microsoft Plus!

What is Microsoft Plus!

Microsoft Plus! is a companion product to Windows 95 that makes your PC look and run better than ever before. Targeted at 486 and Pentium-class PC's, Microsoft Plus! also makes it convenient, easy, and inexpensive to get on the Internet.

Microsoft Plus! offers the following major features:

• System Agent - A background program scheduler that automatically schedules system maintenance tasks such as ScanDisk, Defrag, and Compression Agent when you are not using your PC.
• Internet Jumpstart Kit - The Internet Jumpstart Kit includes Microsoft Internet Explorer, which is Microsoft's World Wide Web browser for Windows 95, a MAPI driver to allow the Microsoft Exchange e-mail client in Windows 95 to receive Internet mail, and extensions to Windows 95 to allow shortcuts to be created to the Internet. In addition, Microsoft Plus! customers get one free month of Internet usage from The Microsoft Network.
• Advanced Disk Compression - Microsoft Plus! disk compression includes DriveSpace 3 with support for volumes up to 2 GB in size, new compression algorithms that deliver much higher compression ratios than before, and Compression Agent, an "intelligent" offline compression utility that optimizes compression in each file for maximum performance and minimum size.
• Desktop Themes - Eleven sizzling new layouts for Windows 95 from the designers of the Windows 95 user interface. Each theme incorporates sounds, wallpaper, icons, new system fonts, color schemes, and more. The 11 themes included in Microsoft Plus! cover everything from the '60s U.S.A. (for the Deadhead in all of us) and Nature to Science and Leonardo da Vinci.
• 3D Pinball - A hot new multimedia pinball game for Windows 95.

How much does Microsoft Plus! cost?

Microsoft Plus! has an estimated retail price of $54.95.

For More Information

How can I obtain the latest information directly from Microsoft about Windows 95?

To help keep you informed of the latest information about Windows, Microsoft has created the WinNews information forum, which serves as an easily accessible electronic-distribution point for new white papers, press releases, and other pertinent documentation. If you have a modem or access to the Internet, you can always get up-to-the-minute information about Windows 95 direct from Microsoft on WinNews.

To subscribe to Microsoft's WinNews Electronic Newsletter, send e-mail to enews@microsoft.nwnet.com with the words SUBSCRIBE WINNEWS as the only text of your message.

In addition to this World Wide Web site - http://www.microsoft.com/windows - you can get more information from the following places:

On the Internet: ftp.microsoft.com/peropsys/win_news

On The Microsoft Network: Go Windows

On CompuServe GO WINNEWS

On GEnie™ Move to Page 95

On Prodigy™ Jump WINNEWS

On America Online® Use keyword WINNEWS