Microsoft Cougar Build 028

Microsoft Cougar Build 028

Crusty Windows bootleg
The desktop of Microsoft Cougar Build 028
Original OS	Windows for Workgroups 3.11
Release date	Fake: March 20, 1993 Real: December 16, 2008
Author	OBrasilo of Euro-Asian Beta Group
Language(s)	English
Architecture(s)	x86 (16-bit)
File size	10.8 MiB
Download link	Microsoft Cougar.iso
Date added	September 18, 2024

Microsoft Cougar Build 028 is a bootleg Windows for Workgroups 3.11 edition, which was created by OBrasilo (now known as Battler) of Euro-Asian Beta Group. It released on December 16, 2008, and was added to the archive on September 18, 2024.

Description

The bootleg is an infamous fake alpha build of Windows purported to have been in development sometime before the Chicago project. In reality, it is simply a modified build of Windows for Workgroups 3.11. It modifies strings and graphics in the OS, but remains almost entirely stock.

Changes from Windows for Workgroups 3.11

Minor changes

• The setup OS text is changed to "Microsoft Cougar" and "Cougar". "The Setup program" line however, still says "Windows 3.1".
• The Control Panel now has a new item named "Window Metrics", which crashes and terminates the Control Panel if you try to run it.
• Dr. Watson now runs on startup and is accessible in the Desktop.

Changes in pre-desktop procedures

• New boot screen

Look and feel

• New default "Under Construction" wallpaper

Software

• Musicbox 2.0a
• WinBug

Notes

Remarks

• This bootleg's claims of predating the Chicago project could very well be contradicted by the existence of the Windows 95 20 July 1992 build.

Bootleg quirks

• The WINDOWS directory is now called "COUGAR".

CD contents and other info

• All of the File Opened dates report April 10, 2016.

Gallery

• 

  Pre-setup

• 

  Setup in the graphical phase

• 

  Setup while it's copying files

• 

  Boot screen

• 

  Empty desktop

• 

  Read Me

• 

  Error in Window Metrics

See also

• Windows Cougar build 028 on BetaWiki