Can I run old MS-DOS programs in Windows 10?
I have several legitimate old operating systems on their original discs, including both Windows 7 and 8 Pro, Windows Vista and even Windows 98 SE. Can any of these be installed on a computer running Windows 10, or would they need to be installed in a virtual machine? Either way, could any of these run MS-DOS programs, as I have a tool on disc I would like to use? Could I print from my MS-DOS program?
QIt’s not impossible to set up Windows 10 to dual boot alongside recent versions of Windows. However, there are many ifs, buts and maybes, and for your purposes, we’re not sure it would be worth the bother.
We say that because you want to run an unnamed (and surely ancient) MS-DOS program. For that, you don’t need an older version of Windows. Instead, a free tool such as DOSBOX
ADavid A Jarvis (www.dosbox.com) offers a simple solution: it’s a virtual machine dedicated to emulating DOS and running DOS programs (be that MS-DOS or other DOS variants). We don’t have space to offer a guide on how to use it, but the tutorial at www.snipca.com/43917 explains all you need to know. Alternatively, or as well, you can see a potted guide in a DOSBOX window by typing intro and pressing Enter (see screenshot above).
The printing side will be difficult or impossible. DOSBOX doesn’t support printing, though there are awkward workarounds that can copy data from a program running in DOSBOX to allow it to be pasted into a Windows app for printing. Here, there are more ifs, buts and maybes, so we suggest you check the DOSBOX forums – the thread at www.snipca.com/43919 is a good starting point for your particular goal.