How to use DOSBox to run old programs and applications?

New versions of Windows have recently been unable to support many old DOS programs, applications or games, and that's why utilities like DOSBox were born, with the main possibility being initializes DOS environment similar to previous operating system versions.

Part 1: Getting started

To get started, download the latest DOSBox version here, with multiple versions corresponding to popular operating systems like Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and some UNIX- based systems . If you are using Ubuntu , you can find available DOSBox in Ubuntu Software Center:

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Most DOS games can be used, but please check the fully compatible program list on the DOSBox homepage.

Part 2: Directory association

2.1. Folder combination

After installing, you open DOSBox from Desktop or Start Menu . We will see that the system displays two main windows: Status and Main , just pay attention and use the Main section, the information displayed in the Status window is not very important:

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Before playing a game, we have to find and combine that game folder. In terms of technical nature, the operating environment of DOSBox is different from the operating system, in a similar way that DOSBox C drive is not the C drive of the operating system. The example of this combined command syntax is as follows:

mount cc: games

Specifically, the above command will attach the folder C: Games on your computer to drive C: in DOSBox, in each case, you only need to replace c: games with the corresponding folder:

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Add the -t cdrom conversion parameter if you use the CD ROM drive. For example, the following command structure will assign the CD ROM drive (D drive :) on the computer to the C: drive of DOSBox:

mount c D: -t cdrom

Then, type C: and press Enter to return to DOSBox 's C: drive. Use the dir command to list the directories and files inside that directory, use the cd command to move to the corresponding directories, type cd . to return to the directory just outside.

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Type the name of the EXE file in the directory to execute the file, you may have to use the previous install command to install.

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After installation is complete, run the executable file by entering the exact name of the EXE file.

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And from the next use, you just need to combine the folder according to the steps above:

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2.2. Combining multiple Game folders

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Combining the entire hard drive on DOSBox is not really safe, so you should combine game folders as a virtual drive. The game folders will act as a hard drive.

1. Enter mount CC: DOSGAMES and press Enter. Enter C: then press Enter.

1. With Mac, you just need to change the appropriate location, for example mount C ~ / DOSGAMES is done.

2.3. Combine CD

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Insert the CD into your computer. Then enter the following command into:

- Enter mount DD: -t cdrom and press Enter.

Replace D: with the drive name you inserted. Enter D: then press Enter, your input will change to D:> and you can search through the files on the CD.

2.4. Combine the CD drive ISO image

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If there is an ISO file of the game CD you want to play, you can combine these files.

1. Enter imgmount DC: ImagePathimage.iso -t iso and press Enter.

1. Replace C: ImagePathimage.iso with the location and name the filename of the ISO file.

2.5. Combine image BIN / CUE CD drive

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If there is a BIN / CUE file of the game CD drive you want to play, you can combine these files.

1. Enter imgmount DC: ImagePathimage.cue -t iso and press Enter.

1. Replace C: ImagePathimage.cue with the location and filename of the CUE file.

1. BIN files must be in the same name and in the same location.

2.6. Combine floppy disk drive (floppy drive)

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If your computer installs floppy disk drive, you can combine it with DOSBox to access it.

Enter mount AA: -t floppy and press Enter.

2.7. Set up DOSBox to automatically combine your drive

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You can set up DOSBox to automatically combine the drive you have chosen to save time. To do this, you must open the dosbox.conf file to Notepad.

- Windows : C: UsersusernameAppDataLocalDOSBoxdosbox-version.conf

- Mac : / Macintosh HD / Users / username / Library / Preferences / DOSBox version Preferences

Add the following line at the end to configure the file and save the file:

MOUNT CC: DOSGAMES

C:

Part 3: Running the Game

1. Display the list of folders

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If you combine the DOSGAME folder, each game will contain its own directory. Enter dir to display the list of game directories.

If you combine a drive or an image drive, the list of files and folders on the disk will be displayed.

2. Enter cd directory to open the game directory you want to play.

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3. Enter dir to display the list of files in the game directory.

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4. Search game file

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Most games run EXE files, although you can run them with COM files or BAT files. However, the COM file and BAT file are mainly run on older games.

File EXE usually has the same name as the game name.

5. Run the game file

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Enter the names of EXE, COM, or BAT files, including the extension and press Enter.

6. Adjust game speed

You can use some shortcuts to adjust game speed.

- Ctrl + F8 : increase the number of Frameskip. Frameskip prevents DOSBox from starting a frame reder, but it can cause visual problems.

- Ctrl + F7 : reduces the number of Frameskip.

- If the speed of the game or application is too fast, you can reduce it by pressing Ctrl + F11 , or press Ctrl + F12 to speed up. The display of the technical simulations of DOSBox based on CPU will display the full title bar.

- Type the command intro special to see the complete shortcut list.

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7. Switch to full screen mode

Alt + Enter : change the display mode of Full Screen or Windows.

Part 4: Use the Frontend program

1. Download and install the Front-end program

The use of Command Prompt is much more complicated, so you can download the fronted program. This program uses a Windows interface that allows users to download, play and adjust games without using the command prompt.

One of the most popular Front-end programs is D-Fend Reloaded. Visit dfendreloaded.sourceforge.net downloadD-Fend Reloaded to your computer. D-Fend Reloaded includes DOSBox file.

2. Run D-Fend Reloaded

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After installing D-Fend Reloaded, you can run D-Fend Reloaded to manage the games. The games you install are displayed in the left pane.

3. Add Game

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You can easily add DOS games by dragging and dropping game files into the D-Fend Reloaded window. The game files will automatically be extracted and the game files will be saved in the correct location.

4. Run the game

On the game list, double-click the game to start playing the game.

Besides, DOSBox also supports quite well other DOS applications, including Windows 3.1 operating system.

Refer to some of the following articles:

1. Play Android games on your computer using Nox App Player software

1. Clash Royale game guide on Windows Phone

1. Fix Not a Valid Win32 Application error when opening Game on Windows

Good luck!