How To Run Dos Games On Windows 8

New versions of Windows don't fully back up archetype DOS games and other old applications — this is where DOSBox comes in. It provides a total DOS environment that runs ancient DOS apps on modern operating systems.

Nosotros've written about using the D-Fend Reloaded front-end for DOSBox in the past, but what if y'all just want to use DOSBox itself? Nosotros'll show yous to how to mount directories, use DOSBox's internal commands, execute programs and utilise DOSBox's keyboard shortcuts like a pro.

Getting Started

DOSBox is bachelor as a free download from the DOSBox website. Information technology'southward not merely for Windows — installers are available for Mac Os Ten, Linux and other UNIX-like systems. If yous're using Ubuntu, you lot'll find DOSBox available in the Ubuntu Software Middle.

Y'all'll also need the game or application you want to run. If yous accept an old floppy disk, it'south time to pull it out. If the game was available as shareware, you're in luck — you should be able to observe it online. Most DOS games are fully compatible, simply DOSBox'southward homepage hosts a compatibility list so y'all tin check your favorite game's compatibility.

Mounting Directories

Once information technology's installed, you can fire DOSBox upward from your desktop or Start menu. Yous'll get two windows — a status window and the principal DOSBox window. Yous can ignore the status window.

(Equally readers have noted, you tin likewise run a program by dragging and dropping its EXE file onto DOSBox'south awarding icon, so feel costless to give that a try.)

Earlier you run a game, you'll have to mount its directory. DOSBox's surround is split from your computer'southward file system. In other words, the C: bulldoze in DOSBox is completely separate from the C: drive on your computer.

Hither's an example mount command:

mountain c c:\games\

This command mounts the C:\Games directory on your computer every bit the C: drive in DOSBox. Supplant c:\games with the location of the games directory on your computer.

Add the -t cdrom switch if you're mounting a CD-ROM. For example, the following command takes the CD-ROM bulldoze at D: on your reckoner and mounts it equally the C: bulldoze in DOSBox:

mount c D:\ -t cdrom

Navigating Effectually and Running Applications

One time you lot've got your game files mounted, y'all tin can type C: and press Enter to switch to DOSBox's C: drive.

Use the dir command to list the contents of the electric current directory and the cd command, followed by the proper noun of a directory, to change to a directory. Utilize the cd .. control to go upwards a directory.

Type the name of an EXE file in the current folder to execute that program. You lot may accept to run an install program before playing your game or running your application.

If you exercise, install the game similar you would on a normal DOS arrangement.

One time it's installed, you lot tin navigate to the game's EXE file and run information technology by typing its name.

At this point, you're fix to play. You lot'll have to echo the mountain process each time yous restart DOSBox, although you'll only accept to install and configure the game one time.

Keyboard Shortcuts

DOSBox has a diverseness of keyboard shortcuts. Here are the about essential ones:

Alt-Enter switches between full-screen and windowed modes.

If a game runs as well fast, you tin can tiresome information technology down by pressing Ctrl-F11. Likewise, you can speed up boring games by pressing Ctrl-F12. DOSBox's emulated CPU speed, displayed in its title bar, will change each time you press these keys.

Blazon the intro special command to see a full list of DOSBox's shortcut keys.

DOSBox can also run DOS programs that aren't games — including the Windows iii.1 operating organization itself — merely games are its main use example. The DOS programs people used to rely on accept been replaced, but classic games can never be replaced.

Source: https://www.howtogeek.com/104725/how-to-use-dosbox-to-run-dos-games-and-old-apps/

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