Windows 3.1 Cannot Upgrade Windows 2.x (83733)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11
This article was previously published under Q83733

SUMMARY

When the Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1 attempts to upgrade a version of Windows version 2.x, the following error message appears:
Setup is unable to upgrade Windows version 2.x. To set up Windows version 3.1, you will need to specify a different directory. Setup will leave your previous version of Windows on your system.

Press ENTER to type a new path and continue Setup.
The retail upgrade of Windows 3.1 indicates that upgrading from Windows 2.x is supported; however, it is only supported by installing Windows 3.1 in a separate directory. The retail upgrade of Windows 3.1 is a complete version of Windows 3.1 and therefore does not require that a previous version of Windows be installed on your system.

MORE INFORMATION

The above error message may also display when using Windows 3.1 to upgrade a copy of Windows 3.0 that was previously used to upgrade Windows 2.x. Old 2.x files may also generate the error message below:
Setup has detected an old version of Windows on your system, you cannot upgrade to Windows 3.1.
Setup looks for the WIN200.BIN and WIN200.OVL files. If either of these files is found in the same directory as WIN.COM, the above message displays.

To correct this problem, use one of the following methods:

  • Remove or rename these two files, and run Setup again.

    -or-
  • Install Windows 3.1 in a different directory. (Microsoft recommends this option.)
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/26/2003
Keywords:KB83733
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.