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.
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DOS Emulators
Which one to pick
Known forA modern DOSBox with sensible defaults, CRT shaders and a long list of emulated sound devices, including the MT-32 and Gravis UltraSound.
Known forAccurate emulation of a complete PC. It officially runs Windows 3.x to Me and emulates the PC-98 and DOS/V systems.
Known forThe original DOS emulator, which many commercial re-releases of DOS games ship with.
In short
For playing DOS games on Windows, macOS or Linux, DOSBox Staging is the simpler choice, with sensible defaults that run most games without tweaking. DOSBox-X is better suited to running Windows 3.x to Me or Japanese PC-98 software, and has many more tuning options. The original DOSBox is no longer updated and is kept here as an archive.
