How to Download and Use DOSBox to Run MS-DOS Games and Applications
If you are a fan of retro computing, you may have fond memories of playing classic DOS games or using old applications on your PC. However, modern operating systems like Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux do not support these programs natively. That's where DOSBox comes in. DOSBox is a free and open-source emulator that can run MS-DOS software on almost any platform. In this article, we will show you how to download, install, and use DOSBox to enjoy your favorite DOS games and applications.
What is MS-DOS and why is it important?
MS-DOS, short for Microsoft Disk Operating System, was the dominant operating system for personal computers in the 1980s and early 1990s. It was developed by Microsoft based on an earlier system called 86-DOS, which was written by Tim Paterson for Seattle Computer Products. Microsoft licensed and rebranded it as MS-DOS for IBM's first PC in 1981, and later released several versions for other compatible machines. MS-DOS was a simple but powerful system that allowed users to run programs from floppy disks or hard drives, using a command-line interface. It also supported various hardware devices, such as keyboards, mice, printers, modems, sound cards, and graphics cards.
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MS-DOS was the platform for many popular games and applications, such as Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, Prince of Persia, SimCity, Lotus 1-2-3, WordPerfect, and many more. It also influenced the development of other operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, and OS/2. However, MS-DOS had some limitations, such as the lack of multitasking, multiuser, and graphical user interface features. As technology advanced, MS-DOS was gradually replaced by newer systems that offered more functionality and user-friendliness. The last version of MS-DOS was released in 2000 as part of Windows Me.
What is DOSBox and what can it do?
DOSBox is a software that emulates a full x86 PC with sound and DOS. It was created in 2002 by a team of programmers who wanted to preserve the legacy of DOS software. DOSBox can run most DOS games and applications on modern operating systems that do not support them natively. It can also emulate various hardware configurations, such as CPU speed, memory size, sound card type, graphics mode, joystick input, etc. DOSBox provides a realistic DOS environment that replicates the look and feel of the original system.
DOSBox has many advantages over other methods of running DOS software, such as using virtual machines or compatibility modes. For example:
DOSBox is easy to install and use. You don't need to have a copy of MS-DOS or any other operating system to run it.
DOSBox is compatible with almost any platform. You can run it on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, FreeBSD, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, etc.
DOSBox is customizable. You can adjust the settings to optimize the performance and compatibility of your games and applications.
DOSBox is free and open-source. You can download it from its official website or from various online repositories. You can also modify its source code or contribute to its development.
How to download and install DOSBox
Where to get DOSBox for different platforms
The easiest way to get DOSBox is to download it from its official website: On the download page, you will find links to download DOSBox for different platforms. Choose the one that matches your operating system and click on it. You will be redirected to a page where you can download the latest stable version of DOSBox or the latest development version. The stable version is more reliable and tested, while the development version may have more features and bug fixes, but also more errors and crashes. We recommend using the stable version unless you have a specific reason to use the development version.
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Alternatively, you can also download DOSBox from other sources, such as online repositories or third-party websites. However, be careful when downloading from untrusted sources, as they may contain malware or viruses. Always scan the files before opening them and check the digital signatures if available.
How to run the installer and configure the settings
After downloading DOSBox, you need to run the installer to install it on your system. The installation process is simple and straightforward. Just follow the instructions on the screen and choose the options that suit your preferences. You can change the installation directory, create shortcuts, and select the components you want to install.
Once DOSBox is installed, you need to configure some settings to make it work properly. DOSBox has a configuration file called dosbox.conf, which contains various options and parameters that affect how DOSBox runs. You can edit this file with any text editor, such as Notepad or WordPad. You can find this file in the installation directory of DOSBox, or in your user folder under AppData\Local\DOSBox (for Windows) or Library/Preferences (for Mac OS X).
The configuration file has several sections, each with a different purpose. For example, the [sdl] section controls the window settings, such as fullscreen mode, resolution, and scaling. The [dosbox] section controls the emulation settings, such as machine type, memory size, and language. The [render] section controls the graphics settings, such as aspect ratio, scaler, and frameskip. The [cpu] section controls the CPU settings, such as core type, cycles, and emulation speed. The [mixer] section controls the sound settings, such as sample rate, volume, and sound card type. The [midi] section controls the MIDI settings, such as device type, driver, and MT-32 emulation. The [sblaster] section controls the Sound Blaster settings, such as base address, IRQ, DMA, and OPL mode. The [gus] section controls the Gravis Ultrasound settings, such as base address, IRQ, DMA, and sample rate. The [speaker] section controls the PC speaker settings, such as PC rate and Tandy rate. The [joystick] section controls the joystick settings, such as type, timed mode, and deadzone. The [serial] section controls the serial port settings, such as device name and baud rate. The [dos] section controls the DOS settings, such as keyboard layout, code page, and XMS/EMS/UMB support. The [ipx] section controls the IPX network settings, such as enable/disable and server address.
You can modify these settings according to your needs and preferences. However, be careful not to change anything that you don't understand or that may cause compatibility issues with your games and applications. If you are unsure about what to change or how to change it, you can consult the official DOSBox wiki: , which has detailed explanations and examples for each option. How to use DOSBox to run DOS games and applications
How to mount directories and CD-ROMs
One of the most important steps to use DOSBox is to mount the directories and CD-ROMs that contain your DOS games and applications. Mounting means telling DOSBox where to find the files and folders that you want to access from the DOS environment. You can mount any directory on your system as a drive letter in DOSBox, such as C:, D:, E:, etc. You can also mount CD-ROM images or physical CD-ROM drives as drive letters in DOSBox, such as D:, E:, F:, etc.
To mount a directory or a CD-ROM, you need to use the MOUNT command in DOSBox. The syntax of the MOUNT command is:
MOUNT drive_letter local_directory -t type
where drive_letter is the drive letter you want to assign to the directory or CD-ROM, local_directory is the path of the directory or CD-ROM on your system, and type is the type of the drive, such as dir for directory or cdrom for CD-ROM. For example, if you want to mount the directory C:\Games\DOS as drive C: in DOSBox, you can type:
MOUNT C C:\Games\DOS -t dir
If you want to mount the CD-ROM image D:\Images\DOOM.ISO as drive D: in DOSBox, you can type:
MOUNT D D:\Images\DOOM.ISO -t cdrom
If you want to mount the physical CD-ROM drive E: as drive E: in DOSBox, you can type:
MOUNT E E:\ -t cdrom
You can also use the -label option to assign a label to the mounted drive, such as DOOM for drive D:. For example:
MOUNT D D:\Images\DOOM.ISO -t cdrom -label DOOM
You can mount multiple directories and CD-ROMs as different drive letters in DOSBox. However, you cannot mount the same directory or CD-ROM as more than one drive letter at the same time. You can also unmount a mounted drive by using the -u option. For example:
MOUNT -u D
This will unmount drive D: from DOSBox.
How to navigate and execute commands
After mounting the directories and CD-ROMs that contain your DOS games and applications, you can navigate and execute commands in DOSBox. You can use the same commands that you would use in MS-DOS, such as DIR, CD, COPY, DEL, REN, etc. You can also use some additional commands that are specific to DOSBox, such as CONFIG, CAPTURE, RESCAN, etc. You can type HELP or INTRO to get a list of available commands and their usage.
To navigate between different drives, you can use the drive letter followed by a colon. For example, if you want to switch to drive C:, you can type:
C:
To navigate within a drive, you can use the CD command followed by the name of the directory. For example, if you want to change to the DOOM directory on drive C:, you can type:
CD DOOM
To execute a program or a game, you can use its name followed by any parameters or options. For example, if you want to run DOOM on drive C:, you can type:
DOOM -file MYWAD.WAD
This will run DOOM with the custom WAD file MYWAD.WAD.
How to use keyboard shortcuts and special keys
DOSBox has some keyboard shortcuts and special keys that can help you control and interact with it. Here are some of them:
ALT-ENTER: Toggle between fullscreen and windowed mode.
CTRL-F1: Enter or exit the keymapper mode. The keymapper mode allows you to remap your keyboard keys for different purposes.
CTRL-F4: Update mounted drives. This is useful if you change or add files to your mounted directories or CD-ROMs.
CTRL-F5: Save a screenshot of the current screen in PNG format.
CTRL-F6: Start/Stop recording sound output to a WAV file.
CTRL-F7: Decrease frameskip.
CTRL-F8: Increase frameskip.
CTRL-F9: Kill DOSBox (shut down emulator).
CTRL-F10: Capture/Release the mouse cursor. This is useful if you want to use your mouse outside of DOSBox.
CTRL-F11: Decrease DOSBox cycles (slows down the emulation).
CTRL-F12: Increase DOSBox cycles (speeds up the emulation).
ALT-PAUSE: Pause emulation.
ALT-F12: Unlock speed (turbo button).
You can also use some special keys that are not available on modern keyboards, such as:
F11: Simulates the NUM LOCK key.
F12: Simulates the PRINT SCREEN key.
Home: Simulates the HOME key on the numeric keypad.
End: Simulates the END key on the numeric keypad.
Page Up: Simulates the PAGE UP key on the numeric keypad.
Page Down: Simulates the PAGE DOWN key on the numeric keypad.
Delete: Simulates the DELETE key on the numeric keypad.
Insert: Simulates the INSERT key on the numeric keypad.
Tips and tricks for using DOSBox
How to adjust the CPU speed and cycles
One of the most common issues that users face when using DOSBox is finding the right CPU speed and cycles for their games and applications. Some programs may run too fast or too slow, depending on how they were designed and optimized. DOSBox allows you to adjust the CPU speed and cycles to find the optimal balance between performance and compatibility.
The CPU speed is measured in megahertz (MHz), which indicates how fast the processor can execute instructions. The cycles are measured in instructions per millisecond (IPM), which indicates how many instructions the processor can execute in one millisecond. The higher the CPU speed and cycles, the faster the emulation will be. However, this may also cause some problems, such as sound distortion, graphical glitches, or crashes. The lower the CPU speed and cycles, the slower the emulation will be. However, this may also improve some aspects, such as sound quality, graphics smoothness, or stability.
You can adjust the CPU speed and cycles by using the CTRL-F11 and CTRL-F12 keyboard shortcuts, as mentioned before. You can also use the CYCLES command in DOSBox to set a specific value for the cycles. The syntax of the CYCLES command is:
CYCLES number
where number is the number of cycles you want to set. For example, if you want to set 3000 cycles, you can type:
CYCLES 3000
You can also use some keywords instead of a number, such as:
AUTO: This is the default setting, which automatically adjusts the cycles based on your system's performance and your program's needs.
MAX: This sets the maximum possible cycles that your system can handle.
FIXED: This sets a fixed amount of cycles that does not change.
You can also use a percentage sign (%) after a number or a keyword to indicate a relative change in cycles. For example, if you want to increase or decrease the cycles by 10%, you can type:
CYCLES 10%
CYCLES -10% How to use sound and graphics options
Another common issue that users face when using DOSBox is finding the right sound and graphics options for their games and applications. Some programs may have poor sound quality, distorted graphics, or incompatible modes, depending on how they were designed and optimized. DOSBox allows you to use various sound and graphics options to enhance or fix these problems.
The sound options include the type of sound card, the sample rate, the volume, and the MIDI device. You can adjust these options by editing the configuration file, as mentioned before. The most important sections are the [mixer], the [midi], and the [sblaster] sections. You can also use some commands in DOSBox to change these options, such as MIXER, MIDI, and SBTYPE. You can type HELP or INTRO to get a list of available commands and their usage.
The graphics options include the type of machine, the aspect ratio, the scaler, and the frameskip. You can adjust these options by editing the configuration file, as mentioned before. The most important sections are the [dosbox], the [render], and the [cpu] sections. You can also use some keyboard shortcuts in DOSBox to change these options, such as CTRL-F7, CTRL-F8, and ALT-F12. You can also use some commands in DOSBox to change these options, such as MACHINE, ASPECT, SCALER, and FRAMESKIP. You can type HELP or INTRO to get a list of available commands and their usage.
How to capture screenshots and videos
One of the fun features of DOSBox is that you can capture screenshots and videos of your games and applications. This is useful if you want to share your experience with others, or if you want to record your progress or achievements. DOSBox allows you to save screenshots in PNG format and videos in ZMBV format.
To capture a screenshot, you can use the CTRL-F5 keyboard shortcut, as mentioned before. This will save a screenshot of the current screen in PNG format in the capture folder of DOSBox. The capture folder is located in the installation directory of DOSBox, or in your user folder under AppData\Local\DOSBox (for Windows) or Library/Preferences (for Mac OS X). The screenshot file will have a name like Capture_000.png.
To capture a video, you can use the CTRL-F6 keyboard shortcut, as mentioned before. This will start or stop recording sound output to a WAV file and video output to a ZMBV file in the capture folder of DOSBox. The video file will have a name like Capture_000.avi. The ZMBV format is a special codec that compresses video data without losing quality. However, it is not widely supported by most media players. You may need to convert it to another format, such as MP4 or MKV, using a video converter software.
Conclusion
DOSBox is a powerful and versatile emulator that can run MS-DOS software on almost any platform. It can help you relive your childhood memories of playing classic DOS games or using old applications on your PC. It can also help you learn more about the history and evolution of computing and software development. DOSBox is easy to install and use, compatible with almost any platform, customizable, free and open-source.
If you want to download and use DOSBox to run MS-DOS games and applications, you need to follow these steps:
Download DOSBox from its official website or from other sources.
Run the installer and configure the settings by editing the configuration file.
Mount the directories and CD-ROMs that contain your DOS games and applications.
Navigate and execute commands in DOSBox.
Use keyboard shortcuts and special keys to control and interact with DOSBox.
Adjust the CPU speed and cycles to optimize the performance and compatibility of your games and applications.
Use sound and graphics options to enhance or fix the sound quality and graphics mode of your games and applications.
Capture screenshots and videos of your games and applications.
We hope this article has helped you understand how to download and use DOSBox to run MS-DOS games and applications. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find DOS games and applications?
There are many websites that offer free or legal downloads of DOS games and applications. Some of them are:
: A large collection of freeware, share ware, and commercial games for DOS.
: A huge archive of abandonware games for DOS and other platforms.
: A website dedicated to preserving and reviewing classic DOS games.
: A comprehensive database of DOS games with screenshots, reviews, and downloads.
: A website that sells old games for DOS and other platforms at a low price.
You can also search the web for other sources of DOS games and applications, but be careful of the legality and safety of the downloads. Always scan the files before opening them and check the digital signatures if available.
How can I play multiplayer games with DOSBox?
DOSBox supports multiplayer games that use IPX networking, such as Doom, Duke Nukem 3D, Warcraft II, etc. You can play these games with other players over the internet or a local network. To do this, you need to enable the IPX network settings in the configuration file, as mentioned before. The [ipx] section controls the IPX network settings, such as enable/disable and server address. You can also use the IPXNET command in DOSBox to configure the IPX network. The syntax of the IPXNET command is:
IPXNET action parameters
where action is one of the following:
STARTSERVER: Starts an IPX server on this DOSBox session.
CONNECT: Connects to an IPX server running on another DOSBox session.
DISCONNECT: Disconnects from the current IPX server.
PING: Pings all connected clients to measure latency.
STOPSERVER: Stops the current IPX server.
STATUS: Shows the status of the current IPX network.
For example, if you want to start an IPX server on port 213, you can type:
IPXNET STARTSERVER 213
If you want to connect to an IPX server running on another DOSBox session with IP address 192.168.1.100 and port 213, you can type:
IPXNET CONNECT 192.168.1.100 213
You can also use some keywords instead of an IP address or a port number, such as:
BROADCAST: This will broadcast your connection request to all available servers on your local network.
AUTO: This will use the default port number (213) for the connection.
For more information and examples on how to play multiplayer games with DOSBox, you can consult the official DOSBox wiki: , which has detailed instructions and tutorials for different games and scenarios.
How can I improve the performance of DOSBox?
DOSBox is a complex emulator that requires a lot of resources from your system. Sometimes, you may experience slowdowns, lag, or stuttering when running DOSBox, especially if you have a low-end or old system. There are some ways to improve the performance of DOSBox and make it run faster and smoother. Here are some tips:
Close any unnecessary programs or processes that are running in the background of your system. This will free up some memory and CPU power for DOSBox.
Adjust the CPU speed and cycles settings in DOSBox, as mentioned before. You can increase or decrease them depending on your system's capabilities and your program's needs.
Adjust the sound and graphics settings in DOSBox, as mentioned before. You can lower or disable some options that may affect the performance, such as sample rate, sound card type, scaler, frameskip, etc.
Use a smaller window size or resolution for DOSBox. This will reduce the amount of pixels that need to be rendered and processed by your system.
Update your system drivers and software. This will ensure that your system is running optimally and efficiently.
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