MS-DOS
The PC operating system behind thousands of games
- 1981Released
- Operating SystemType
- MicrosoftDeveloper
Overview
MS-DOS (short for Microsoft Disk Operating System) is an operating system for x86-based personal computers. It was the most popular member of the DOS family and the main operating system for IBM PC compatibles.
It reigned from the 1980s to the mid-1990s, when it was gradually replaced by operating systems with a graphical user interface (GUI), most notably Microsoft Windows.
Because DOS was around for so long, a huge amount of software was written for it, and almost none of it will run on a modern operating system. Emulators such as DOSBox recreate a DOS PC so that old programs and games can run on modern systems.
Key Features
PC Standard
The main operating system for IBM PC compatibles.
Huge Software Library
A huge amount of software, including thousands of games.
Long Reign
Dominated PCs from the 1980s to the mid-1990s.
Built For x86
An operating system written for x86-based personal computers.
