Microsoft Windows 3.1 for Leading Edge Computers

Windows 3.1, released in 1992, offered several enhancements over its predecessor, Windows 3.0, such as enhanced fonts, better help, and multimedia capabilities. The Leading Edge Branded Windows 3.1 was a version of Windows 3.1 that was licensed to Leading Edge by Microsoft to be factory preinstalled on certain models of computers offered by Leading Edge. The Leading Edge Windows 3.1 manual says, "Just as the 1980s saw the PC revolution, the 1990s are seeing the Windows revolution".

Windows 3.1 for Leading Edge Computers was included as pack−in software that was preinstalled on some Leading Edge Computers. The pictured software pack was bundled with the Leading Edge 386SX Plus Notebook and came packed in an inconspicuous, small, white, unlabeled box. Inside the box, the user found six Windows 3.1 for Leading Edge Computers installation disks. These disks were included for if the user needed to re−install Windows 3.1 in the event of a hard drive reformat or replacement.

The six 3.5" 1.44 MB floppy disks were a simple but striking design with the black cases and Leading Edge's high−contrast colors on the labels. "Microsoft" appeard in light grey at the top left corner of the label, entirely within the white 3/5 of the label. Directly below and centered in contrasting blue and white font, depending on if it was in the white or blue field of the label, was the "Windows 3.1" text and Disk "x", corresponding to the appropriate disk number, in red entirely within the white portion of the label. Finally at the bottom of the label was found in all caps "LEADING EDGE", with the word "LEADING" in the white 3/5 of the label in the same color gray as was the "Microsoft" text at the top and "Edge" in the remaining blue 2/5 of the label in white. Microsoft's copyright information was in a small blue font at the left of the label, perpendicular to the rest of the label's text.

Navigating about in the software revealed that the Windows 3.1 for Leading Edge Computers was not really any different than any other Windows 3.1 retail or OEM release at the surface. It was an unfortunate reality of the time, but it was very uncommon for much OEM customization to occur with Windows 3.1. Most OEM customizations took place within the background of the operating system where the computer manufacturer optimized it for the best compatibility for their systems. Unfortunately, there were no custom background pictures or screensavers. Even the Windows 3.1 loading screen remained unchanged where there certainly was an opportunity to customize it with the computer manufacturer's name at the very least.

See below for downloadable images in the original 3.5" 1.44 MB format.