Open-source

15 Free DOS Systems and Emulators, For Retro Gamers and Old School Geeks

Hazem Abbas

Nov 14, 2024 — 11 min read

Ah, the good old days of DOS - those command-line driven operating systems that ruled the personal computing landscape in the late 80s and early 90s. As someone who was there from the start, I have so many fond memories of working with these seemingly simple yet powerful systems.

My first experience with DOS was back in 1990 when my family got our first IBM PC. I remember being absolutely fascinated by that blinking cursor, just waiting for me to type in my next instruction. It felt so hands-on, so direct - a far cry from the modern graphical user interfaces we take for granted today.

At first, I'll admit, navigating DOS was a bit of a challenge. Remembering all those arcane commands like DIR, COPY, and FORMAT took some getting used to.

But once I got the hang of it, I felt like a true computer wizard. Suddenly, I could manage files, run programs, and even create my own batch scripts - all with just a few keystrokes.

One of my favorite things about DOS was the sheer breadth of software available. From classic DOS games like King's Quest and The Secret of Monkey Island to productivity suites like WordPerfect and Lotus 1-2-3, the options were endless.

I spent countless hours losing myself in those pixelated worlds or tinkering with spreadsheets and documents. It was a level of control and customization that's hard to replicate these days.

Of course, DOS wasn't without its quirks and limitations. Memory management was a constant battle, and the lack of a GUI sometimes felt frustratingly archaic. But those challenges only added to the sense of accomplishment when you finally got everything working just right.

Even today, as I look back on those formative computing experiences, I can't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia. The clean, uncluttered interface of DOS, the satisfying sound of the dot-matrix printer, the thrill of running a new program - it all evokes a simpler time in technology.

That's why I'm so glad emulators like DOSBox exist, allowing me to relive those glory days whenever I want.

So while DOS may be long gone from the mainstream, it will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the foundation that sparked my love of computers and coding, teaching me the importance of understanding how things work under the hood. And for that, I'll be forever grateful.

Key Variants of DOS Systems

PC-DOS: This was IBM's take on DOS. It was basically the same as MS-DOS, just with a few minor tweaks. If you had an IBM PC, this is probably what you were rocking.
MS-DOS: This was the big kahuna, the DOS that most of us grew up with. Microsoft's version became the industry standard, powering countless PCs back in the day. It was simple, straightforward, and boy did I spend a lot of time memorizing all those commands!
DR-DOS: Now this one was pretty cool. Developed by Digital Research, DR-DOS offered some neat extra features like better multitasking and memory management. It gave MS-DOS a run for its money before Microsoft caught up in later versions.
FreeDOS: This one's special because it's an open-source, free version of DOS that's still actively developed today. Retro gaming fans and people with old hardware love it because it can run all those classic DOS apps and games.

I have such fond memories of tinkering with these different DOSes. They each had their own quirks and strengths, but they all gave us that hands-on, command-line computing experience that was so unique to the early PC era.

It was like being a computer wizard, if only we could remember all those arcane commands!

Why you may need DOS emulator today

You know, even though DOS is ancient history for most folks these days, there's actually been a big resurgence of interest in those old-school operating systems!

Partly it's the nostalgia factor - so many of us have fond memories of tinkering with DOS back in the day. But there are also some practical reasons why DOS emulators like DOSBox have become really important.

For one, there are tons of classic DOS games that people still love to play.

Think about all the old-school platformers, RPGs, and adventure games that were designed specifically for that command-line environment. Without emulators, there'd be no way to experience those retro gaming gems on modern computers.

And it's not just games - some businesses still rely on legacy DOS software that they just can't replace. Emulators allow them to keep those important apps running, without having to maintain ancient hardware. Pretty nifty, right?

But my favorite use for DOS emulators has got to be the learning and experimentation factor.

For anyone interested in the history of computing or the inner workings of operating systems, being able to dive into that classic DOS environment is just priceless. It's like getting a firsthand look at the foundations that modern computing is built on.

So while DOS may be long gone from everyday use, it's amazing that we can still keep that magical, nostalgic computing experience alive through emulators.

It's a great way to stay connected to our tech roots, whether you're a hardcore retro gamer, a vintage software junkie, or just a computer history buff like me!

In this article, we will go thru the best DOS emulators out there.

Free Top DOS emulators

1- DOSBox

DOSBox emulates a full x86 pc with sound and DOS. Its main use is to run old DOS games on platforms which don't have DOS (Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 / Linux / FreeBSD / macOS).

Features

DOS Emulation: Runs DOS software, from early CGA games to Quake-era titles.
Drive Mounting: Mounts folders, CDs, and images as drives.
Display Options: Windowed/fullscreen modes, adjustable resolutions.
Joystick/Gamepad Support: Compatible with various controllers.
Keyboard Customization: Supports different layouts and remapping.
Sound Emulation: Includes SoundBlaster, Gravis, Adlib, and more.
Mouse Integration: Auto-detects or manually locks mouse for games.
Performance Control: Adjustable CPU cycles, frame-skipping, sampling rates.
Serial Multiplayer: Allows serial-based multiplayer gaming.
Internal Commands: MOUNT, IMGMOUNT, and essential DOS utilities.
Automation: Autoexec section for running startup commands.
Troubleshooting: Status window and customizable configs for resolving issues.
Configuration Flexibility: Extensive file options for tailored setups.

DOSBox

Download DOSBox for free. An Open Source DOS emulator to run old DOS games. DOSBox emulates a full x86 pc with sound and DOS. Its main use is to run old DOS games on platforms which don’t have DOS (Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 / Linux / FreeBSD / Mac OS X)

SourceForgelamhac69

2- SvarDOS

SvarDOS is not a actually DOS emulator it is a minimalist, open-source DOS system designed for 8086 compatibility, integrating essential DOS tools, drivers, and games. It features a network-enabled package manager for easy installation of additional software and supports multiple languages.

SvarDOS is rolling-release, meaning it continuously updates packages without fixed versions. Published under the MIT license, it aims to streamline DOS software access and functionality for retro enthusiasts.

3- FreeDOS

FreeDOS is an open-source, MS-DOS-compatible operating system that allows users to run legacy DOS applications, games, and utilities on modern hardware. Fully compatible with classic DOS programs, FreeDOS is widely used for embedded systems, retro gaming, and running old software on newer computers.

It includes a range of tools and utilities for file management, networking, and system maintenance, making it versatile for various DOS-based tasks.

4- EMU2

This is a simple DOS emulator for the Linux text console, supporting basic DOS system calls and console I/O.

5- dosemu2

dosemu2 is an emulator for running DOS programs under linux. It can also serve as a VM to boot various DOSes.

6- DOS Wasm X

DOS Wasm X is a browser-based DOS emulator built on the DosBox-X codebase, supporting Windows 95, Windows 98, and classic DOS applications. It offers drag-and-drop functionality, saving progress directly in the browser for easy access. With a simple interface, it makes running DOS programs accessible and user-friendly online.

Features

Fully web based application - using web assembly
Save hard drive to the browser (512mb, 1 gig, or 2 gig options)
Automatic support for a variety of file formats (Iso, Zip, Bin, Cue, Img, 7z)
Customize RAM (32mb, 64mb, 128mb)
Import/export files into and out of the emulator
Export your entire hard disk image for local saving
Load/change CD while emulator is running
Floppy Disk Support
Audio support
Full screen
Zoom controls
Mouse capture
Resize resolution
16 and 32 bit color (via 16 bit color fix)
Customize CPU speed
Host the application yourself
Customize startup hard drive image
Send CTRL/ALT/DELETE
Pause/Unpause
Import existing IMG hard disk if you already have one

7- Aeon

Aeon is an x86 with DOS emulator written in 100% C#. It was originally started in 2008 as an experiment in developing a high performance emulator fully in C#/.NET. So basically, it's like DOSBox but with worse compatibility and only for Windows.

8- js-dos

js-dos v8 is a versatile DOS emulator that allows users to run DOS and Windows 9x programs in a browser or Node.js environment. With an easy-to-use API, js-dos supports multiplayer, cloud storage, and quick integration, making it ideal for running legacy software online. The emulator is freely available with all features enabled for any application.

Features

Works in worker or render thread
Support execution in Node and Browsers
Multiple backends: DOSBox, DOSBox-X
Mobile support (v8 - WIP, v7 - production)
Able to run very big games (like Diablo, etc.)
Multiplayer support
Cloud storage
WebAssembly and pure JS versions

9- DOSBox Pure

DOSBox Pure is a fork of DOSBox, an emulator for DOS games, built for RetroArch/Libretro aiming for simplicity and ease of use.

10- UniDOS

UniDOS is an emulator to run Microsoft DOS executables.

Built on top of Unicorn engine, UniDOS should be able to work wherever Unicorn works.

11- Appler

Appler is an Apple ][ emulator for IBM PC, written in 8088 assembly, running on MS-DOS. It was developed in 1990, at a time when Apple IIe was still in production, so Appler is one of the first Apple ][ emulators ever made; it is probably also the fastest, although this distinction is no longer important.

12- FDOS

FreeDOS Distribution Of Sorts

13- fdpp

fdpp is a 64-bit DOS core. It is based on a FreeDOS kernel ported to modern C++. In short, FreeDOS plus-plus.

14- Cobalt

Cobalt is a lightweight operating system based on FreeDOS, which aims to make DOS more accessible and easier to use on modern hardware and virtual machines. Cobalt is still very early in development.

Features

FreeDOS Kernel Build 2040 (FreeDOS v1.1) and FreeCom 0.85a command line
Excellent compatibility with DOS applications and games
Bootable CD with easy-to-use installer
Weekly experimental builds with latest packages from FreeDOS repositories

15- DOSBox-X

DOSBox-X is an enhanced open-source DOS emulator built on the DOSBox project, designed to run DOS games, applications, and early Windows versions (3.x, 9x, ME) on modern systems.

It Offers greater flexibility than DOSBox, DOSBox-X supports a broader range of legacy software and provides emulation for unique systems like NEC PC-98, expanding its appeal to both DOS and Windows enthusiasts.

Features

Expanded DOS Emulation: Full compatibility with DOS games and applications, similar to DOSBox.
Windows 3.x, 9x, and ME Support: Official emulation support for running early Windows versions and applications.
NEC PC-98 Emulation: Enables users to play PC-98 games and run Japanese DOS applications.
Enhanced Hardware Emulation: Improved graphics and sound options, including 3DFX Voodoo, Sound Blaster, and MIDI support.
Configurable System Environment: Extensive configuration options for CPU cycles, graphics, memory, and more, allowing precise control.
High-Resolution Support: Supports higher resolutions for games and applications that can take advantage of it.
Flexible Input and Output Options: Keyboard mapping, joystick support, and compatibility with various input devices.
File and Disk Management: Offers disk and ISO mounting capabilities, floppy disk emulation, and virtual hard drives.
Cross-Platform: Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing consistent use across different systems.

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