HARDWARE By Ben Myers Let’s see if we can find good reasons to continue to use a 30-year-old MS-DOS program. Recently, a client asked me whether it wa
[See the full post at: Would you ever run an MS-DOS program in 64-bit Windows?]
![]() |
Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don't do it. |
SIGN IN | Not a member? | REGISTER | PLUS MEMBERSHIP |
-
Would you ever run an MS-DOS program in 64-bit Windows?
Home » Forums » Newsletter and Homepage topics » Would you ever run an MS-DOS program in 64-bit Windows?
- This topic has 31 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 1 month, 1 week ago.
AuthorTopicBen Myers
AskWoody PlusViewing 15 reply threadsAuthorReplies-
johnf
AskWoody Lounger -
Ben Myers
GuestYes, a VM could also have done the job running 16-bit DOS. Potential issues with VMs:
The time to set up a VM would have been longer than the time to install and set up vDOS.
Unless done to absolute perfection, a VM can be difficult for a relatively naïve Windows user.
I never investigated moving data back and forth between native Windows and what runs under a VM.
-
WSmwyattea
AskWoody PlusI actually have a use case where have some old DOS actuarial programs written in Fortran back in the day that I still successfully run to this day on Windows 10/11 64 bit. My solution was I created a 32bit Windows XP session in Oracle VirtualBox which does the trick. Only thing I use it for, so I ignore the perpetual nags from MS about out of date virus support etc. Using that at work so through Net Use capture the LPT1 and map to one of the local printers.
One of these days will get around to creating Excel spreadsheets to handle these programs, but spare time is lacking.
BTW, Ben, remember meeting you and your wife; my father is Richard Wyatt who you worked with back in the old Honeywell days.
-
Ben Myers
AskWoody PlusYes. Your Dad, Dick Wyatt, was the best and most wonderful person for whom I worked across 19 years at Honeywell Information Systems (R.I.P. the computers), and years elsewhere. Been doing things on my own for over 25 years, which means many bosses. Where is your dad now? I would like to be in touch with him again. I sometimes still use one of his favorite Missouri ways of talking about deal making with clients: “I gave away the sleeves out of my vest.”
-
WSmwyattea
AskWoody PlusThanks for kind words Ben. He is still alive and kicking out in Minnesota on the farm.
Send me an email at [removed email address] and I can forward his contact info.
Moderator Edit: Please do not include personal information in your posts. Use PrivateMessage to communicate (linked on the right).
-
Ben Myers
AskWoody Plus -
WSmwyattea
AskWoody Plus
-
-
-
geekdom
AskWoody_MVPWould you ever run an MS-DOS program in 64-bit Windows?]
Yes. Yes. Yes. There’s a 16-bit program I thought was lost to me forever. If I can locate the software complete with data (somewhere in the backups — when Windows XP went to Windows 7), I will try your approach.
Carpe Diem {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1413 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox112.0b3 MicrosoftDefenderJohnW
AskWoody PlusI never investigated moving data back and forth between native Windows and what runs under a VM.
This is relatively easy to do with Oracle VirtualBox, and I suspect with other VM hypervisor applications as well.
Select data folders on the host OS can be shared with the VM guest OS using “shared folders”.
I have successfully set this up with WinXP (haven’t tried with anything older). I had a few programs that wouldn’t install on Windows 7, so it was child’s play to run them in a WinXP VM, and move data files back and forth with the Win 7 host via the “share”.
Ken Smith
GuestThanks, Ben, for the article. It brought back memories of DOS programs I would have loved to replace and clients who would not migrate to newer software. Programs like Alpha4 database, pfs:FirstChoice database, and others I have happily forgotten.
For many years I maintained these DOS programs through various Windows versions for several clients using VM technology. The hardest part was maintaining the ability to print to newer printers. I used a simple inexpensive Windows utility named DOSprn (available at DOSprn.com). The utility is still maintained and up-to-date. Using DOSprn with various versions of Windows and a seeming multitude of printers connected in various ways to the Windows computer, I was able to reproduce exactly the printed output of the DOS programs as it would have originally appeared on paper.
I highly recommend that anyone trying to print from a DOS program in an emulator take a look at DOSprn.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
Ben Myers
AskWoody Plus
dg1261
AskWoody_MVPSure…but I would run it in it’s own virtual environment using Virtual Box or some other VM manager. You can easily take backup snapshots of the VM, as well as mapping drives if you need to dump data to your regular programs.
I regularly use both vDOS and VirtualBox (in which I have 16 VMs booting an array of OSes), but vDOS is really, really good at what it does. I use it at least weekly to run Q&A 4.0, a 30-yr old DOS database program for quick-and-dirty lists and databases. (I also have Microsoft Access installed in Windows, but that’s overkill for simple flat databases, which is I work with most frequently.) It’s also nice to know I can open tons of old Lotus 123, WordPerfect 5.0, and dBase III files from my archives, if I ever need to.
With vDOS, you map a subfolder on your “host machine” to a vDOS virtual drive, so it’s even easier to transfer data with the host than it is with VirtualBox.
And as for snapshots, remember that DOS programs were really, really small. Making a “snapshot” is as simple as zipping the vDOS subfolder with 7Zip or similar. That’s much easier and less cumbersome than capturing a VirtualBox snapshot.
Stephen Carter
GuestHi Ben,
Thanks for this article – very informative.
I have a DOS program that I run regularly and need to print from.
I came across this several years ago and still use it. Maybe you have seen it as well.
It has to be run before opening DOSbox.
Hope that helps and is of interest.
Peace and all good.
Stephen
steeviebops
AskWoody PlusJohnW
AskWoody PlusOne benefit of doing this via vDOS/DOSBox rather than in a VM is that an additional OS licence isn’t required.
I have an old WinXP 32-bit ISO with a license key laying around that I used for a legacy VM. Didn’t cost me any extra… 🙂
-
Ben Myers
AskWoody PlusAnd 32-bit Windows XP in a VM would do it, too. As responses show, there are several ways to run DOS apps. vDOS proved to be the path of least resistance, less time spent by me and 5 minute learning curve for client. The good part of DOS is NO DRIVERS!
1 user thanked author for this post.
KB6OJS
AskWoody PlusI don’t have any DOS programs per se that I use any more, BUT there are a lot of times when I need to do stuff in the DOS window. For that, I use Take Command, or TCMD for short. I’m amazed that it didn’t make it to your list, but I can only assume that you didn’t know about it. 😉 So here goes:
TCMD is an enhanced DOS window that provides for various extensions to the command language, plus batch file extensions that provide a lot of extra capabilities. Since I started out with MS-DOS (back in the day when that’s all there was, although I did have a long and dubious flirtation with CP/M), the use of the command prompt has remained a handy tool. TCMD provides some extensions like aliases that I can use for “shorthand” to make some tasks easy, plus it provides a tabbed interface to allow multiple instances of the DOS window when necessary (not frequently needed, but handy from time to time). Visit https://jpsoft.com to download the trial version (registration is $49).
(Note: I have no connections whatsoever with JPSoft other than being a long-time-satisfied registered user.)
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
Ben Myers
AskWoody PlusI did not know about TCMD. But the DOS command line lives on and on right there in Windows 10 and 11 with CMD, best done with admin privileges. Many of the old DOS commands (DIR, CD, PATH, DEL, etc) live on, augmented by other newer commands, many of which I often find helpful, like IPCONFIG.
James Bond 007
AskWoody LoungerOf course I do. I use DOSBox (and its derivatives DOSBox ECE / DOSBox-X / DOSBox Staging) to run DOS Games like Master of Orion (the first edition that runs on DOS) and Civilization (again the first edition that runs on DOS and Windows 3.1) that I still play from time to time.
The release version of DOSBox has been stuck on 0.74-3 for several years but still runs these games well. Increasingly I have turned to the derivatives because they offer some other functionality that I want (e.g. support for sound fonts for use with General MIDI).
Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.
Dos user
GuestWould you ever run an MS-DOS program in 64-bit Windows?
YES…..businesses have a need for this. Many still need DOS for manufacture machines that cost millions to replace.My doctor uses DOS program to run the Xray machine. It would cost him too much to replace it. He is an old timer as well. Use it until it breaks beyond repair. Not like this new generations that keeps changing things and than complain about the environment being destroyed.
Home users have a need as well. My finical DOS program runs very well even thought it is over 40 years old now. It does not have any spyware unlike MS Excel or other programs that connect to internet. There is zero changes it will be stolen since it is on a floppy disk. The old type is the 8in (first floppy), not the 5.25in or the 3.5in.
-
Susan Bradley
ManagerA 40 year old financial program does not work well. I speak as an accountant by day with boots on the ground experience with accounting software over the years. (Goodness I almost can say 40 years of experience but not quite) . There is so much more efficient ways to do financial information that a dos program built before the Internet is sooooooooo not running well. Sorry folks, I can see the manufacturing scenerio, but the financial? No way. Come on folks, there is a point in time where change IS good, and not changing is actually detrimental.
Susan Bradley Patch Lady
-
Dos user
GuestNo way. Come on folks, there is a point in time where change IS good, and not changing is actually detrimental.
Change is not good. Everything that comes before gets worse and worse from my experience at least. How many hackers have stolen financial data with these new program? A lot. With DOS program, it is 0. I will stick with it forever….well or at least well I am breathing. After that, no one will get my finical info since floppy will get toss into the garbage. Much safer place than having it stolen.
-
Susan Bradley
ManagerUnless you have all of your money under your mattress your financial information and banking information is already online. Two factor authentication, alerts for unusual information and appropriate caution.
Change is good. Being stuck on a software program that is 40 years old is not good. I remember the financial programs from back then. I do not want to go back.
Susan Bradley Patch Lady
-
-
WSJosSchaars
AskWoody PlusThanks for your overall positive evaluation of vDos.
Some remarks:
vDos “installation” is mostly a convenient way to create a vDos directory and copy its files to there (and a desktop shortcut to vDos.exe). vDos is 100% portable, you could just copy its files to a PC. Or for instance create a vDos environment with DOS programs and data on an USB stick. Plug it into some Windows PC, and run the programs.
In a network setting there’s only one vDos.exe needed (at the server). No vDos at the workstations, those can just start that central vDos.exe (eventually by a shortcut). DOS programs and data files can be located anywhere in Windows filesystem.
DOS needs at least one drive (letter), in vDos that’s C:. By default assigned to the Windows current working directory as vDos starts. So generally that of vDos.exe, but C: can be reassigned to any Windows directory. Placing DOS programs in that directory is a convenient first start/test. Many (non networked) users will just leave it there.
Printing to DOS or Windows printers should mostly work out-of-the-box. If customization is needed, the documentation (Printing.pdf document) should help. And yes, that can a bit daunting due to the number of options.
The vDos/DOS window is usually 25 lines by 80 columns. Its size is not freely scaled, instead depends on the dimensions of the individual character cells. For instance increasing both by 1 pixel results in a window 25 pixels taller and 80 pixels wider. The percentage given in for instance WINDOW = 79 or 80 will merely be an indication until you would have a 100+K monitor :).
Biased vDos developer.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
Ben Myers
AskWoody PlusI found the descriptions in the printing PDF to come up a little short on clarity, mostly because there are bare descriptions of syntax, but few examples. So I had to make a support request to find out how to the printing to fit on the page, rather than being chopped off on the right, with some extra empty pages. Even so, I still do not pretend to understand all the options for printing.
Still, overall, vDOS is an extremely functional and clean package easy to set up and use, delivering predictable results. Its competitors? Not so.
1 user thanked author for this post.
ibe98765
AskWoody Plus-
KB6OJS
AskWoody Plus
dg1261
AskWoody_MVPGive up XTree, use xplorer2. Best Windows file manager I’ve ever seen or used.
Well, this thread is about DOS and running DOS programs, so anyone interested in those topics probably has little interest in yet another Windows Explorer lookalike.
XTree was an outstanding file manager — and much better suited for the DOS environment than any GUI or mouse-centric alternative.
However, those days are gone, and XTree is no longer viable. For instance, like all DOS programs it was limited to disk sizes of 2 GB, so not very useful these days.
XTree would be the one DOS program I would consider running in modern Windows.
If you like the XTree interface, you may be interested in ZTree. It’s a Windows program, not DOS, but is inspired by the old XTree interface.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
KB6OJS
AskWoody PlusGood point, well taken. My thinking was that if you’re in need of a file manager to run in a DOS window within Windows, then why go retro? But then again….
DOS apps would probably also not recognize the longer filenames that current file systems support, so that’s an additional strike against using XTree, I suspect. And I’m going to give ZTree a look, just for old-time’s sake. 😁
//Steve//
-
wavy
AskWoody Plus
wavy
AskWoody PlusViewing 15 reply threads -

Plus Membership
Donations from Plus members keep this site going. You can identify the people who support AskWoody by the Plus badge on their avatars.
AskWoody Plus members not only get access to all of the contents of this site -- including Susan Bradley's frequently updated Patch Watch listing -- they also receive weekly AskWoody Plus Newsletters (formerly Windows Secrets Newsletter) and AskWoody Plus Alerts, emails when there are important breaking developments.
Get Plus!
Welcome to our unique respite from the madness.
It's easy to post questions about Windows 11, Windows 10, Win8.1, Win7, Surface, Office, or browse through our Forums. Post anonymously or register for greater privileges. Keep it civil, please: Decorous Lounge rules strictly enforced. Questions? Contact Customer Support.
Search Newsletters
Search Forums
View the Forum
Search for Topics
Recent Topics
-
Gordon Moore died at the age of 94
by
Alex5723
1 hour, 19 minutes ago -
New CISA tool detects hacking activity in Microsoft cloud services
by
Alex5723
16 hours, 49 minutes ago -
Laptop update from Mate 19.2 to 21.1
by
Slowpoke47
11 hours, 46 minutes ago -
Microsoft setting the ball for Windows 12 as it begins adding Cloud PC
by
Alex5723
1 hour, 59 minutes ago -
March KB5023696 patch removed but now I have a what’s next question
by
Moondoggy
14 hours, 37 minutes ago -
CCleaner’s Driver Updater – does it work?
by
Kathy Stevens
6 hours, 20 minutes ago -
Issue 2439: CentOS Stream 9: missing kernel security fixes
by
Alex5723
1 day, 15 hours ago -
Microsoft to throttle emails to online email if you are running old stuff
by
Susan Bradley
1 day, 7 hours ago -
fre-ac updates
by
Alex5723
1 day, 15 hours ago -
Windows 10 lost start up password
by
Kathy Stevens
1 day, 15 hours ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22621.1470 and 22623.1470 released to BETA
by
joep517
1 day, 16 hours ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 25324 released to Canary
by
joep517
17 hours, 53 minutes ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 23419 released to DEV
by
joep517
1 day, 18 hours ago -
Dribble?
by
bbearren
1 day, 19 hours ago -
Allow defenderbootstrapper.exe to phone home?
by
TJ
20 hours, 2 minutes ago -
KB 5022836 will not install
by
Ken
17 hours, 40 minutes ago -
Windows 11 desktop for Windows 10 user
by
John Heaton
1 day, 19 hours ago -
GNOME 44 ‘Kuala Lumpur’ released
by
Alex5723
2 days, 15 hours ago -
Emotet adopts Microsoft OneNote attachments
by
Alex5723
2 days, 15 hours ago -
US : The Spy Law That Big Tech Wants to Limit
by
Alex5723
1 day, 11 hours ago -
Ferrari confirms customer data breached following ransomware attack
by
Alex5723
2 days, 16 hours ago -
Outlook bookmarks redirects to a different location, Help!
by
captainkrunchy
2 days, 18 hours ago -
Should I go to win11?
by
krism
18 hours, 40 minutes ago -
The Framework Laptop – Fully Modular
by
Matador
18 hours, 43 minutes ago -
Windows Snipping Tool is vulnerable to Acropalypse too.
by
Alex5723
1 day, 7 hours ago -
Pale Moon updates
by
Alex5723
3 days, 2 hours ago -
“Local Security Authority protection is off.” with persistent restart
by
Alex5723
2 days, 16 hours ago -
Self-encrypting drive setup on Linux
by
Ascaris
3 days, 4 hours ago -
Windows 11 Moments and local account setup
by
Ry
1 day, 21 hours ago -
Older versions of Roboform
by
randavis
1 day, 19 hours ago
Recent blog posts
- Making Windows 11 on Arm less obnoxious
- The forums, and networking
- TPM 2.0, required by Windows 11, is hackable. Upgrade now?
- How to take advantage of the Photos app in Windows
- The sky is not falling
- Don’t want search?
- Special note for Samsung users (or Pixel users too!)
- Master Patch list as of March 15, 2023
Key Links
Want to Advertise in the free newsletter? How about a gift subscription in honor of a birthday? Send an email to sb@askwoody.com to ask how.
Mastodon profile for DefConPatch
Mastodon profile for AskWoody
Home • About • FAQ • Posts & Privacy • Forums • My Account
Register • Free Newsletter • Plus Membership • Gift Certificates • MS-DEFCON Alerts
Copyright ©2004-2023 by AskWoody Tech LLC. All Rights Reserved.