Subsystem for 32-bit Windows for running 16-bit Windows programs
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This article is about the 16-bit subsystem in the 32-bit editions of Windows NT. For the 32-bit compatibility layer in the 64-bit editions, see WoW64.
Windows on Windows
Other names
WOW
Developer(s)
Microsoft
Initial release
July 27, 1993; 30 years ago (1993-07-27)
Operating system
Microsoft Windows
Platform
IA-32
Type
Compatibility layer
License
Proprietary commercial software
In computing, Windows on Windows (commonly referred to as WOW)[1][2][3] was a compatibility layer of 32-bit versions of the Windows NT family of operating systems since 1993 with the release of Windows NT 3.1, which extends NTVDM to provide limited support for running legacy 16-bit programs written for Windows 3.x or earlier. There is a similar subsystem, known as WoW64, on 64-bit Windows versions that runs 32-bit programs.
This subsystem has since been discontinued, as Windows 11 (and Windows Server 2008 R2 and later) are only available in 64-bit editions and therefore cannot run 16-bit software without third-party emulation software (e.g. DOSBox). Windows 10 is the final version of Windows to include this subsystem.
^"WOW Environment Remains in Memory After Quitting 16-Bit Program". Support. Microsoft. February 22, 2007. Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
^"Starting 16-Bit WOW Subsystem on Windows NT Server". Support. Microsoft. November 1, 2016. Archived from the original on May 9, 2007. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
^"Disabling the MSDOS and WOWEXEC Subsystems on Terminal Server". Support. Microsoft. November 1, 2006. Archived from the original on January 13, 2008. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
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