DOSBox-X

A DOSBox fork that also runs Windows 3.x, 95, 98 and Me, plus Japanese PC-98 software.

FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux
Official websitedosbox-x.comSource codegithub.comDocumentationdosbox-x.com

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4 more ways to get DOSBox-X

Other download sites

MajorGeeksmajorgeeks.com

Run by third parties, not by Jon Campbell. Prefer the official page above when it works.

Package managers

About DOSBox-X

DOSBox emulates enough of a PC to run DOS games. DOSBox-X keeps that compatibility and goes further, emulating the hardware that old Windows versions need so Windows 3.1 through Me can be installed inside it. That makes it the practical way to run a sixteen-bit Windows application on a modern machine.

It also emulates the Japanese PC-98 and DOS/V environments, supports a long list of sound cards and video modes, and ships international keyboard layouts and translations. Windows XP installers are still published for people running it on very old hardware.

Strengths

  • Runs DOS games and also installs Windows 3.x, 95, 98 and Me
  • Emulates the Japanese PC-98 and DOS/V environments
  • Wide sound card and video mode coverage for period-correct output
  • Windows, macOS Intel and Apple Silicon, and Linux Flatpak builds

Limitations

  • Far more settings than plain DOSBox, and you will meet the config file
  • Installing an old Windows inside it is a project, not a click
  • You supply the games and the operating system images
  • Releases are dated builds rather than versioned stable ones

Details

Pricing
FreeFree and open source under the GPL 2.0.
License
GPL-2.0
Developer
Jon Campbell
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
How it runs
Downloadable app
Account
Not required
Works offline
Yes
Best suited for
Running DOS software and old Windows applications that nothing else will load
Categories
Emulators
Last verified
Added
Provenance
Selected from the TechWalrus downloads catalog (Emulation); facts checked against the developer's own pages, 2 sources on file.

Alternatives to DOSBox-X

Compare all

Software that can replace DOSBox-X for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.

  • DOSBox Staging

    Modern continuation of DOSBox for running DOS games and software.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    DOSBox Staging uses sensible modern defaults so most DOS games run without config editing, with CRT shaders and MT-32 sound, but it does not list old Windows or PC-98 support.

DOSBox-X as an alternative

Listings that name DOSBox-X as an alternative.

  • ScummVM

    Replaces the original executable of hundreds of classic adventure games so they run on hardware that did not exist yet.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid

    DOSBox-X emulates DOS and also Windows 3.x to Me and PC-98 software, covering games outside ScummVM's engine list, but it has far more settings and config file work.

Similar software

Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.

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