Windows 3.1 AlternativesOperating Systems and other similar apps like Windows 3.1

Windows 3.1 is described as 'The third Microsoft-Windows version to add a graphical user interface to MS-DOS, released in 1992. Runs on MS DOS 2.0 or newer (was not an operating system, but a program that ran on DOS). Windows 3.1 introduced better graphic, filetype, and audio/video support to users of DOS' and is a operating system in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Windows 3.1 for a variety of platforms, including Linux, BSD, Windows, Mac and Self-Hosted apps. The best Windows 3.1 alternative is Fedora, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Windows 3.1 are Arch Linux, openSUSE, Windows 10 and Kubuntu.

Windows 3.1 iconWindows 3.1
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The third Microsoft-Windows version to add a graphical user interface to MS-DOS, released in 1992. Runs on MS DOS 2.0 or...

More about Windows 3.1
More about Windows 3.1
Windows 3.1 alternatives page was last updated Jan 13, 2023
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  1. Fedora icon

    Fedora

     570 likes
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    Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.

    180 Fedora alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Fedora 38

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Out Of The Box
    2.  Linux-based
    3.  Wayland Support
    4.  Desktop Environment
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Support for BTRFS
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Unix-like
    10.  Multiple languages
    11.  Separated workspaces
    12.  Rolling Release

    Fedora VS Windows 3.1

     

    • Fedora is the most popular Linux alternative to Windows 3.1.

    • Fedora is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Windows 3.1.

    • Fedora is Free and Open SourceWindows 3.1 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Fedora is Customizable and Privacy focusedWindows 3.1 is not according to our users
  2. Arch Linux icon

    Arch Linux

     764 likes
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    Arch Linux is an independently developed, x86_64 optimized GNU/Linux distribution targeted at competent Linux users. It uses pacman, its home-grown package manager, to provide updates to the latest software applications with full dependency tracking.

    191 Arch Linux alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CA flagCanada

    Platforms

    • Linux
    arch with KDE 4.4 desktop

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Minimalistic
    4.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Rolling Release
    2.  Arch User Repository
    3.  Wiki documentation
    4.  Community-based
    5.  Linux-based
    6.  Bleeding edge
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Command line interface
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Package Control
    12.  Works Offline

    Arch Linux VS Windows 3.1

     
  4. openSUSE icon

    openSUSE

     333 likes
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    openSUSE is a free and Linux-based operating system for your PC, Laptop or Server.

    185 openSUSE alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    GNOME desktop in openSUSE Leap 15.2.

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  User friendly
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Kde support
    2.  Linux-based
    3.  Rolling Release
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Community-based

    openSUSE VS Windows 3.1

     
  5. Windows 10 icon

    Windows 10

     411 likes
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    Versatile OS with universal app architecture, free first-year offer for Windows 7 and 8.1 users, redesigned mouse-touch UI, virtual desktop, Microsoft Edge, upgraded security, and enhanced graphics for gaming, supporting fingerprint and face recognition login.

    177 Windows 10 alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Windows 10 screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    After October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will no longer receive free software updates, technical support, or security fixes. Microsoft suggests to upgrade to Windows 11 icon Windows 11 : https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2024/10/31/how-to-prepare-for-windows-10-end-of-support-by-moving-to-windows-11-today/

    Windows 10 Features

    1.  Auto Update
    2.  Usability
    3.  PowerShell Scripting
    4. Microsoft OneDrive icon  Onedrive integration
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Tablet support
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Xbox Streaming
    10.  Binary packages

    Windows 10 VS Windows 3.1

     
    Comments about Windows 10 as an Alternative to Windows 3.1
    andrejusdovidaitis
    Negative Jan 13, 2023
    0

    A computer running Windows 3.1 is guaranteed NOT to be able to run Windows 10 and you won't really be able to run Windows 3.1 applications in Windows 10 unless you have VM or something similar

    Windows 3.1 Icon
    Windows 10 icon

    • Windows 10 is the most popular Windows alternative to Windows 3.1.

    • Windows 10 is the most popular commercial alternative to Windows 3.1.

    • Windows 10 is Paid and ProprietaryWindows 3.1 is also Paid and Proprietary
  6. Kubuntu icon

    Kubuntu

     276 likes
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    Kubuntu is an official "flavor" of Ubuntu that uses the KDE Plasma desktop environment. This gives it a completely different look and feel.

    195 Kubuntu alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Kubuntu 19.10 "Eoan Ermine"

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  User friendly
    4.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Based on Ubuntu
    2.  KDE
    3.  Based on Debian
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Rolling Release
    7.  Desktop Application

    Kubuntu VS Windows 3.1

     
  7. macOS icon

    macOS

     560 likes
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    A Unix-based OS for Mac with seamlessly integration with Apple’s ecosystem, offering an intuitive UI, productivity tools like Finder, Spotlight, and Automator, built-in apps like Safari and Photos, Continuity for cross-device functionality, and security features including FileVault and Gatekeeper.

    172 macOS alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    macOS screenshot 1

    Top macOS Features

    1.  Consistent UI
    2.  Unix-like
    3.  Usability
    4.  Spotlight
    5. Microsoft 365 Copilot icon  Compatible with Microsoft Office
    6.  Unlock with fingerprint
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Chromecast Support
    10.  Voice Commands
    11.  QuickLook File Preview

    macOS VS Windows 3.1

     

    • macOS is the most popular Mac alternative to Windows 3.1.

    • macOS is Free and ProprietaryWindows 3.1 is Paid and Proprietary
  9. Xubuntu icon

    Xubuntu

     290 likes
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    Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Xubuntu comes with Xfce, which is a stable, light and configurable desktop environment. It is based on Ubuntu Debian Linux.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Xubuntu 19.10

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Based on Ubuntu
    2.  XFCE support
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Based on Debian
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  No Tracking

    Xubuntu VS Windows 3.1

     
  10. FreeBSD icon

    FreeBSD

     259 likes
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    FreeBSD is an operating system used to power modern servers, desktops, and embedded platforms. A large community has continually developed it for more than thirty years. Its advanced networking, security, and storage features have made FreeBSD the platform of choice for many of...

    187 FreeBSD alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    FreeBSD screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Unix-like
    2.  Geeky
    3.  ARM support
    4.  Package Control
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Ad-free

    FreeBSD VS Windows 3.1

     

    • FreeBSD is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Windows 3.1.

    • FreeBSD is Free and Open SourceWindows 3.1 is Paid and Proprietary
    • FreeBSD is Privacy focused and LightweightWindows 3.1 is not according to our users
  11. ReactOS icon

    ReactOS

     286 likes
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    ReactOS™ is a FOSS effort to develop a quality operating system based on the architecture of Microsoft® Windows™ NT family of operating systems, that is compatible with applications and drivers written for it (NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 7).

    193 ReactOS alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • ReactOS
    ReactOS screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Windows XP Compatibility
    2.  Run Windows software
    3.  Nt kernel
    4.  Windows-like
    5.  Support for BTRFS
    6.  Community-based
    7.  Windows Compatible

    ReactOS VS Windows 3.1

     
  12. Gentoo icon

    Gentoo

     157 likes
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    Gentoo Linux is a versatile, fast, highly configurable and completely free Linux and FreeBSD distribution geared towards developers and network professionals.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
    Gentoo screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Rolling Release
    2.  Linux-based

    Gentoo VS Windows 3.1

     
  13. CentOS icon

    CentOS

     147 likes
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    CentOS is a community-supported, free and open source operating system based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It exists to provide a free enterprise class computing platform and strives to maintain 100% binary compatibility with its upstream distribution.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    The logon screen

    CentOS Features

    1.  Shell integration

    CentOS VS Windows 3.1

     
  14. Red Hat Enterprise Linux icon

    Red Hat Enterprise Linux

     123 likes
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    Red Hat is the leader in development, deployment, and management of Linux and open source solutions for Internet infrastructure - ranging from embedded devices to secure Web servers. Red Hat was founded in 1994 by visionary entrepreneurs Bob Young and Marc Ewing.

    181 Red Hat Enterprise Linux alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Red Hat Enterprise Linux screenshot 1

    Red Hat Enterprise Linux Features

    1.  Command line interface
    2.  Linux-based
    3.  Unix kernel

    Red Hat Enterprise Linux VS Windows 3.1

     
12 of 26 Windows 3.1 alternatives