This is the area I am most familiar with...
I have an IBM/PC clone with Windows 95, recently upgraded from Windows 3.11.
I will do the best I can to give instruction for each of the Windows applications.

Windows 95

Windows 95 makes IRCing very easy, with its built in dialer, and the ease in flipping back and forth between programs.

First you need to download the 32 bit version of mIRC (unless you are using an AOL account, in which case you need to read the instructions for AOL) from one of the mIRC webpages.

Then you need to run the setup.exe and install it to your hard drive.

Once you are set up, then you can run the mIRC setup, and type in your first name, a nickname you have chosen, and an alternate nick (just in case the first name is taken or "ghosted". You will learn the terminology as you learn the program. Once that is done, you will need to connect to one of the available servers, ( I prefer DALnet ), and go to a new user's channels such as #newbies or #new2irc. In those channels you will be given information about the rest of the setup and other useful information. If you have questions, and don't seem to be getting any answers, try #helpdesk or #irchelp in DALnet.

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Windows 3.xx

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Windows 3.xx needs the 16 bit version of mIRC which you can find the address for on the main IRC page here at this site. Once you download it, and follow the instructions for installation, you need to run the Setup (which will probably open automatically during installation) and fill in your Name, Email address (mask), and Nicks you choose to use. Once that is done, you will need to connect to one of the available servers, ( I prefer DALnet ), and go to a new user's channels such as #newbies or #new2irc. In those channels you will be given information about the rest of the setup and other useful information. If you have questions, and don't seem to be getting any answers, try #helpdesk or #irchelp in DALnet.