Running MS-DOS on Windows7 64-Bit

Micilin Muc

I've been using an MS-DOS program for years but my PC at work was recently upgraded to Windows 7 64-Bit. "Run MS-DOS on Windows 7" on Google doesn't yield very many relevant results! Is it possible?

DoesNotCompute

Have you tried DosBox?

Micilin Muc

Thanks, DNC. I saw that one but thought it didn't look too trustworthy! I'll try it out now.

GreenWolfe

You should get an interface for DOSBOX, typing the same few commands every time you need to run it gets annoying quickly. There are graphical ones or you could get a DOS file manager, if that's your type of thing and edit the [autoexec] part of dosbox-0.74.conf to point to the DOS file manager of your choice on startup. I prefer the latter.

I'm using Volkov Commander, download here.

So here's my autoexec setup, if it's of any use.

CD\
MOUNT C C:\Users\UserName\Documents\DOSBOX
C:
CD VC
VC

VC is a subdirectory of DOSBOX.

Fysh

Micilin Muc wrote: »

I've been using an MS-DOS program for years but my PC at work was recently upgraded to Windows 7 64-Bit. "Run MS-DOS on Windows 7" on Google doesn't yield very many relevant results! Is it possible?

What are you trying to do/use that requires MS DOS?

Capt'n Midnight

another option is to setup a virtual machine

virtualbox and freedos


Note if you want to run Microsoft Dos you will need a separate license for it.


Have you tried right clicking on the program - properties / compatibility / windows 95 ?


If the app needs direct access to hardware then you are probably out of luck, unless you setup an old machine and perhaps VNC into it from your windows 7 one

matt-dublin

it should still run, we use 8 bit programs here on win 7 x64 all the time without issue.

can you clarify exactly what you're trying to do because dos is on every PC regardless as the command prompt

GreenWolfe

matt-dublin wrote: »

it should still run, we use 8 bit programs here on win 7 x64 all the time without issue.

can you clarify exactly what you're trying to do because dos is on every PC regardless as the command prompt

The command prompt runs Win32 console programs and uses the NTVDM, so not quite.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_DOS_machine

Rather than update the NTVDM to correctly work on 64bit versions of Windows, Microsoft choose to no longer include it thus versions of Windows NT for 64-bit architectures (x86-64 and IA-64) are unable to run DOS or 16-bit Windows applications. The only possibility to run them is to use Windows XP Mode or other virtualization software.

If you're running Win7 Pro, Enterprise or Ultimate Windows XP Mode could be an option too.

matt-dublin

i meant to say 16bit there, dunno where 8 bit came from.

xp mode should be a winner but id like to find out what the application is and whats happening when trying to run it rather than throwing out solutions to an issue we don't know about it

thats like throwing spanners at a car engine with the hope it will start!

Capt'n Midnight

Oh yeah if the app needs to use network / shares (unlikely as it's a dos app) you may need run as admin