In early 1995 I ran Windows 95 release candidate 1. I got it on CD-R from a friend. I had to spend my savings on extra RAM in order to get it running. For a brief period of time I was the coolest kid on the block.
I installed Windows 95 on our 486 (with 24 MB RAM) using the disc from my uncle's Gateway 2000 G6-180. Initially the OEM installer refused to upgrade from Windows 3.11, so I renamed C:\WINDOWS\WIN.COM to WIN.MOC and it upgraded without a hitch.
I'm surprised that they included the "no upgrade" check and then make it so easy to bypass. Internet access was rare in 1995, so a stricter check could've been pretty effective.
I don’t honestly think Microsoft cared all that much. To them, having windows on a machine means far more than having a license fee paid for (at least for general consumers).
I'm surprised that they included the "no upgrade" check and then make it so easy to bypass. Internet access was rare in 1995, so a stricter check could've been pretty effective.