DOS Compatibility Nostalgia

Users debate DOS versions of software, reminisce about MS-DOS features and limitations, and suggest emulators like DOSBox or FreeDOS for vintage experiences.

📉 Falling 0.5x Hardware
5,146
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#8178
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
5
2008
4
2009
23
2010
42
2011
85
2012
98
2013
100
2014
173
2015
143
2016
275
2017
218
2018
292
2019
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2020
429
2021
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2022
629
2023
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2024
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2025
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2026
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Keywords

MS COM CPU NT6 OK HDD MBR COMMAND NorthStar PC dos ms dos ms windows boot cp pc separated music qemu

Sample Comments

pjc50 Mar 4, 2018 View on HN

DOS isn't getting any newer...

andrea76 Apr 7, 2025 View on HN

Is there any evidence of a DOS version?

DrNosferatu Jun 19, 2025 View on HN

DOS-like but not DOS-compatible, correct?

global_hero Oct 21, 2010 View on HN

that's a feature that ms-dos had!

Meic Aug 24, 2020 View on HN

Probably should be running DOS 3.2 for the real vintage experience.

Sunspark Dec 1, 2023 View on HN

FreeDOS exists.. https://freedos.org/

techdragon Jan 23, 2016 View on HN

Because we're not using DOS?

SenHeng Jan 11, 2024 View on HN

What makes you think they're not still using DOS?

userbinator Feb 24, 2016 View on HN

Very old (as in pre-386, or even pre-286) DOS software, written for the PC and only the PC, might depend on it. If I remember correctly, archive.org has a whole section devoted to ancient DOS software, so you might find something in there.

jqpabc123 Dec 31, 2022 View on HN

Yes, I used it under MS-DOS ages ago ... and it hasn't changed much.